Nitrogen Uptake and Loss in Agroecosystems

A special issue of Nitrogen (ISSN 2504-3129).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 2436

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center, Vernon, TX 76384, USA
Interests: nitrogen cycling; management practice; nitrogen assimilation; denitrification; mitigation measures; nitric oxide; greenhouse gas emissions

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Guest Editor
CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
Interests: N2O modeling; nitrogen fertilizer; mitigation measures; process-based models; soil emissions

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nitrogen is a critical nutrient for agricultural productivity; it plays a central role in crop growth and ecosystem health. However, its management presents a dual challenge: optimizing nitrogen uptake by crops and increasing the yield while minimizing nitrogen losses to the environment. Inefficient nitrogen use leads to losses through pathways such as leaching, volatilization, and denitrification, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, water contamination, and soil degradation.

This Special Issue aims to focus on advancing our understanding of nitrogen dynamics in agricultural ecosystems, emphasizing the mechanisms of nitrogen uptake and loss. We also aim to explore innovative management practices, technologies, and mitigation strategies aimed at improving nitrogen use efficiency and reducing environmental impacts.

Researchers are invited to contribute original studies and reviews on topics including nitrogen cycling, assimilation, and loss, as well as practical solutions for sustainable nutrient management. By addressing these issues, this Special Issue seeks to promote sustainable and resilient agricultural systems globally.

Dr. Arbindra Timilsina
Dr. Bikram Pandey
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • nitrogen cycling
  • management practice
  • nitrogen assimilation
  • denitrification
  • mitigation measures

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 1188 KB  
Article
Wheat Plants Reduce N2O Emissions from Upland Soil Subject to Transient and Permanent Waterlogging
by Mubashir Husnain, Pablo L. Ribeiro, Britta Pitann and Karl Hermann Mühling
Nitrogen 2025, 6(4), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/nitrogen6040098 - 3 Nov 2025
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Abstract
Climate change is expected to increase the frequency of extreme soil moisture events, such as winter waterlogging followed by spring drought, particularly in temperate regions of Europe, North America and Northeast China. While N2O emissions from paddy soils under waterlogging and [...] Read more.
Climate change is expected to increase the frequency of extreme soil moisture events, such as winter waterlogging followed by spring drought, particularly in temperate regions of Europe, North America and Northeast China. While N2O emissions from paddy soils under waterlogging and subsequent drainage have been widely studied, knowledge of upland arable soils under wheat cultivation remains limited. We hypothesized that: (1) in upland soils, combined waterlogging and drought reduces N2O emissions compared to continuous waterlogging, and (2) plant presence mitigates soil nitrate accumulation and N2O emissions across different moisture regimes. A greenhouse experiment was conducted using intact upland soil cores with and without wheat under four moisture treatments: control (60% water-holding capacity, WHC), drought (30% WHC), waterlogging, and waterlogging followed by drought. Daily and cumulative N2O fluxes, soil mineral nitrogen (NH4+-002DN and NO3-N), and total nitrogen uptake by wheat shoots were measured. Prolonged waterlogging resulted in the highest cumulative N2O emissions, whereas the transition from waterlogging to drought triggered a sharp but transient N2O peak, particularly in soils without plants. Wheat presence consistently reduced N2O emissions, likely through nitrate uptake, which limited substrate availability for incomplete denitrification. Moisture regimes strongly affected nitrate dynamics, with drought promoting nitrate accumulation and waterlogging enhancing nitrate loss. These findings highlight the vulnerability of upland soils in regions prone to seasonal moisture extremes. Effective management of soil moisture and nitrogen, including the promotion of plant growth, is essential to mitigate N2O emissions and improve nitrogen use efficiency under future climate scenarios. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nitrogen Uptake and Loss in Agroecosystems)
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14 pages, 1699 KB  
Article
Impact of Organic and Inorganic Sources of Nitrogen on Soil Fertility, Nitrogen Use Efficiency, and Carbon Accumulation Potential Under Subtropical Rice-Based Cropping Patterns in Farmers’ Fields
by Sabina Yeasmin, Mojakkar Noman, Zaren Subah Betto, Tamanna Rahman, Sanjida Parven Sarly, A. K. M. Mominul Islam and Md. Parvez Anwar
Nitrogen 2025, 6(3), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/nitrogen6030086 - 19 Sep 2025
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Abstract
This study aimed to assess the effect of organic amendment-based integrated nitrogen (N) application on major soil macronutrients, carbon (C) accumulation, crop productivity and N use efficiency (NUE) of different rice-based cropping patterns. This experiment was composed of various organic amendments ((i): control [...] Read more.
This study aimed to assess the effect of organic amendment-based integrated nitrogen (N) application on major soil macronutrients, carbon (C) accumulation, crop productivity and N use efficiency (NUE) of different rice-based cropping patterns. This experiment was composed of various organic amendments ((i): control (no organic amendment, application of 100% N from urea); (ii): 25% N from compost + 75% N from urea; (iii): 25% N from cowdung + 75% N from urea; iv: 25% N from vermicompost + 75% N from urea) and rice-based cropping patterns ((i) rice–rice–rice, (ii) rice–fallow–rice–mustard, and (iii) rice–vegetables–rice). Organic amendments and soils (0–20 cm) were collected from farmers’ fields and were analyzed for major nutrients: N and organic C (OC), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sulphur (S). Soil OC accumulation potential, system productivity and partial factor productivity of N were also calculated. The results indicate that organic amendment application significantly enhanced soil OC (0.957–1.604%) compared to control (0.916–1.292%), with vermicompost attaining the highest OC content and OC accumulation potential (up to 24.15%), especially in the rice–vegetables–rice pattern. Vermicompost also predominantly increased N (22–62%) and S (51–78%) level in soils, while cowdung significantly amended P levels (155–178%) and contributed steadily to improved K levels in soil. Overall, nutrient improvements and soil fertility were highest under the rice–vegetables–rice system, followed by rice–fallow–mustard–rice and rice–rice–rice. System productivity was maximum in the rice–vegetables–rice pattern (up to 85.7 t ha−1), with remarkable enhancements in NUE when organic amendments were applied. Cowdung and vermicompost both matched or exceeded the performance of chemical fertilizer in these cases. These results demonstrate the advantages of integrated N management and diversified cropping to improve nutrient cycling, soil health and sustainable productivity in rice-based agroecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nitrogen Uptake and Loss in Agroecosystems)
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