Nutrient Use Efficiency

Increased nutrient use efficiency (NUE) is achieved through the proper implementation of 4R nutrient stewardship practices, which are strongly supported by the fertilizer industry. Properly implementing 4R practices improves NUE across all plant nutrients, helping growers maximize yields while minimizing the environmental impact of nutrient losses. While NUE can be measured for any plant nutrient, it is most commonly assessed for nitrogen (N) due to its large demand by plants. Soil alone cannot provide enough N to support the growth needed to feed a growing global population, making N fertilizer essential for maximizing yields. However, N that is not taken up by the crop can be lost to the air and water, causing environmental harm. Therefore, NUE is a crucial metric to ensure that nitrogen fertilizer is fully utilized by the crop. By applying the right rate, at the right time, in the right place, and with the right fertilizer source, we can achieve optimal NUE values in the field.

Nutrient use efficiency is key to sustainable agriculture. Read more about the importance of fertilizer to sustainable, climate-smart, and regenerative agriculture.