Summary
This editorial frames fertiliser use efficiency as a critical challenge in sustainable agriculture, driven by low NPK fertiliser effectiveness, environmental concerns, and finite phosphorus reserves. The paper synthesises current approaches to improving FUE through agronomic, genetic and soil management strategies, emphasising the complex interplay of plant genotype and environmental factors (abiotic and biotic) that determine nutrient uptake and utilisation. The collection highlights nitrogen as the priority nutrient for crop production but stresses that high NUE is achievable only when plants receive adequate supporting nutrients, particularly phosphorus and potassium.
Regional applicability
These FUE strategies are directly applicable to UK arable systems, where nitrogen fertiliser represents a substantial input cost and environmental burden. UK policy increasingly emphasises precision agriculture and nutrient stewardship, making this synthesis of methods for optimising fertiliser dosing, timing and application routes relevant to compliance with the Farming Rules for Water and support for regenerative farming transitions.
Key measures
Fertiliser use efficiency (FUE) indices; nitrogen use efficiency (NUE); phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) uptake and utilisation metrics
Outcomes reported
This editorial introduces a Special Issue that synthesises methods and strategies for improving fertiliser use efficiency (FUE) across nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The issue addresses key approaches including removal of nutrient uptake limiting factors, soil fertility maintenance, optimised fertiliser dosing and application timing, foliar application, innovative fertiliser products, and selection of efficient crop genotypes.
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.