Innovative Nitrogen Management Strategies in Aquaponics, Hydroponics, Soilless, and Soil-Based Crop Systems for Sustainable Agriculture

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 June 2026 | Viewed by 2417

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
National Agricultural Research Center (NARC), P.O. Box 639, Baq'a 19381, Jordan
Interests: aquaponics; nitrogen management; hydroponics; soilless culture; bioponics; controlled environment agriculture (CEA); recycled nutrient solution

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Guest Editor
Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries, University of Atatürk, Erzurum, Turkey
Interests: seafood; aquaculture; bioinformatics; biological information; biological databases

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Efficient nitrogen (N) management remains a critical challenge in achieving sustainable agricultural intensification. Nitrogen is a fundamental macronutrient for plant metabolism; however, its overuse and mismanagement across diverse cropping systems contribute to severe environmental issues, including nitrate leaching, eutrophication, soil degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions. This Special Issue aims to advance our understanding of Innovative Nitrogen Management Strategies across aquaponics, hydroponics, soilless culture, and soil-based agriculture, with a particular focus on optimizing nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and minimizing environmental impact. We welcome contributions that explore nutrient cycling in closed-loop systems, precision fertigation technologies, and integrated nutrient solutions that utilize both organic and inorganic fertilizers. Special emphasis is placed on decoupled aquaponics systems, bioponics, and controlled environment agriculture (CEA), where system-specific innovations allow for real-time monitoring and adaptive nitrogen control. Moreover, studies that assess the role of microbial consortia, biochar, and smart-sensor networks in regulating nitrogen transformation and loss mitigation are of particular interest. This Special Issue encourages multidisciplinary research—from molecular insights into plant-nitrogen interactions to system-level models and policy implications—that collectively contribute to a more environmentally sustainable, resource-efficient, and climate-resilient agricultural future. 

Dr. Abdel Razzaq Altawaha
Prof. Dr. Abdulkadir Bayir
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • aquaponics
  • nitrogen management
  • hydroponics
  • soilless culture
  • soil-based agriculture
  • nutrient cycling
  • nitrogen use efficiency (NUE)
  • integrated nutrient management
  • closed-loop systems
  • decoupled aquaponics system
  • bioponics
  • organic and inorganic fertilizers
  • environmental sustainability
  • nitrogen losses mitigation
  • precision agriculture
  • controlled environment agriculture (CEA)

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 6646 KB  
Article
Integrating Milk Protein Hydrolysate and Plasma-Activated Water as Alternative Nitrogen Inputs for Growth, Nutrition, and Postharvest Quality of Hydroponic Cos Lettuce Under Low Nutrient Supply
by Aryanis Mutia Zahra, Apiradee Uthairatanakij, Natta Laohakunjit, Pongphen Jitareerat, Nattapon Kaisangsri and Arak Tira-Umphon
Nitrogen 2026, 7(1), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/nitrogen7010018 - 1 Feb 2026
Viewed by 738
Abstract
The application of plasma-activated water and biostimulants offers a sustainable approach to supporting plant growth under reduced-nutrient conditions by supplying bioavailable nitrogen. This study investigated the growth and postharvest performance of hydroponically grown cos lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) supplied with three Hoagland-based [...] Read more.
The application of plasma-activated water and biostimulants offers a sustainable approach to supporting plant growth under reduced-nutrient conditions by supplying bioavailable nitrogen. This study investigated the growth and postharvest performance of hydroponically grown cos lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) supplied with three Hoagland-based nutrient treatments: half-strength solution prepared with tap water (HS), half-strength solution with plasma-activated water (HS+PAW), and half-strength solution with plasma-activated water containing 1 mL L−1 milk protein hydrolysate (HS+PAW+MPH). Plants treated with PAW, particularly those in the HS+PAW+MPH, exhibited increases in growth, biomass accumulation, and mineral composition, with reduced nitrate content compared to controls. At harvest, lettuce under HS+PAW+MPH exhibited nearly double fresh yield and enhanced dry matter, protein, lipid, phenolic, and flavonoid profiles as well as increased antioxidant capacity, indicating improved nitrogen utilization and nutritional quality under reduced nutrient input. Postharvest quality was evaluated by packing samples in polypropylene bags and storing them at 10 ± 1 °C and 95–98% relative humidity for 21 days. The HS+PAW+MPH treatment substantially suppressed respiration and production of ethylene, limited weight loss and color change, and better preserved pigments, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant stability compared to HS and HS+PAW, indicating HS+PAW+MPH as a sustainable nutrient management approach for hydroponic systems. Full article
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14 pages, 3453 KB  
Article
Drip Fertigation in Greenhouse Eggplant Cultivation: Reducing N2O Emissions and Nitrate Leaching
by Wataru Shiraishi, Shion Nishimura, Morihiro Maeda and Hideto Ueno
Nitrogen 2025, 6(4), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/nitrogen6040116 - 16 Dec 2025
Viewed by 730
Abstract
Drip fertigation (DF) is a sustainable agricultural management technique that optimizes water and nutrient usage, enhances crop productivity, and reduces environmental impact. Herein, we compared the effects of DF and conventional fertilization (CF) with a basal fertilizer on yield, soil inorganic nitrogen dynamics, [...] Read more.
Drip fertigation (DF) is a sustainable agricultural management technique that optimizes water and nutrient usage, enhances crop productivity, and reduces environmental impact. Herein, we compared the effects of DF and conventional fertilization (CF) with a basal fertilizer on yield, soil inorganic nitrogen dynamics, N2O emissions, and nitrogen leaching during facility-grown eggplant cultivation. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse from September 2023 to May 2024, with treatments arranged in three rows and three replicates. Soil, gas, and water samples were collected and analyzed throughout the growing season. The results revealed that the DF treatment produced yields comparable to those obtained with the CF treatment while significantly reducing nitrogen and phosphorus inputs. DF effectively prevented excessive nitrogen accumulation in the soil and reduced nitrogen loss through leaching and gas emissions. N2O emissions were significantly lower by more than 60% under DF than under CF. Precise nutrient management in DF suppressed nitrification and denitrification processes, mitigating N2O emissions. DF also significantly reduced nitrogen leaching by more than 70% compared with that in CF. These findings demonstrate that DF effectively enhances agricultural sustainability by improving nutrient use efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and minimizing nitrogen leaching during the cultivation of facility-grown eggplant. Full article
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