Global 60-Year Study Covering 205 Countries Uncovers Staple Crops' Nutrient Use Inefficiency

A landmark 60-year global study covering 205 countries and regions has uncovered the evolutionary patterns of nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiency (NUE and PUE) in four major staple crops of rice, wheat, maize, and soybean. Led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the study found that despite a massive surge in fertilizer application, NUE and PUE remain critically low.

The study highlights a troubling disparity. While tropical rice and temperate wheat show relatively higher efficiency, maize production in major regions like the U.S. and China is plagued by a "high input-low utilization" pattern. Notably, PUE for all four major staple crops falls below 50%, forcing crops to rely more on native soil reserves than the fertilizers applied each season.

To address these systemic bottlenecks, the research introduces a global "nutrient efficiency atlas" and a three-tier optimization framework: "crop-region-technology." Rather than simply changing how to fertilize, the study advocates for a fundamental restructuring of agroecosystems to intelligently match crops with specific climate and soil conditions. This includes implementing precision fertilization for inefficient crop-climate zones and prioritizing management resources for "efficiency sink" areas. By integrating advanced technologies—such as high-nutrient-use varieties, conservation tillage, and functional microorganisms—into comprehensive management packages, the researchers believe global agriculture can finally break the cycle of waste and move toward a greener, more sustainable future.

For more details, read the news article in the CAS Newsroom.