Summary
This narrative review proposes a holistic framework for optimising nitrogen use efficiency in vegetable production that moves beyond reductionist monoculture approaches to encompass diversified cropping systems, organic nitrogen sources, and their interactions. The synthesis identifies key management strategies—including nitrogen rate calibration, germplasm selection, crop rotations, legume-based systems, vegetational diversification, and conservation tillage—and emphasises that effective nitrogen management requires consideration of multilevel interactions across genetic, environmental, ecological, and socioeconomic factors.
Regional applicability
The review's emphasis on crop rotations, legume-based systems, and conservation tillage is relevant to UK horticultural practice and environmental regulations on nitrogen management. However, the paper does not appear to be UK-specific; applicability would depend on whether the cited evidence base includes UK-conducted trials and whether recommended practices align with UK soil types, climate, and regulatory frameworks.
Key measures
Nitrogen use efficiency; nitrogen transformation and movement; crop uptake dynamics; management strategy effectiveness across diversified cropping systems
Outcomes reported
This narrative review synthesised evidence on management strategies to improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in vegetable crops, including nitrogen rate calibration, germplasm selection, crop rotations, and agroecological practices. The paper evaluated multilevel interactions across genetics, environment, socioeconomic factors, and landscape-scale nutrient dynamics to identify the most effective approaches to enhance both nitrogen cycling and crop uptake.
Topic tags
Dig deeper with Pulse AI.
Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.