Overuse of N fertilizers in crops has induced the disruption of the N cycle, triggering the release of reactive N (Nr) to the environment. Several EU policies have been developed to address this challenge, establishing targets to reduce agricultural Nr losses. Their achievement could be materialized through the introduction of fertilizing innovations such as incorporating fertilizer into soils, using urease inhibitors, or by adjusting N inputs to crop needs that could impact in both yields and environment. The Murcia region (southeastern Spain) was selected as a paradigmatic case study, since overfertilization has induced severe environmental problems in the region in the last decade, to assess the impact of a set of 8 N fertilizing alternatives on crop yields and environmental Nr losses. Some of these practices imply the reduction of N entering in crops. We followed an integrated approach analyzing the evolution of the region in the long-term (1860\uffe2\uff80\uff932018) and considering nested spatial- (from grid to region) and systems scales (from crops to the full agro-food system). We hypothesized that, even despite reduction of N inputs, suitable solutions for the abatement of Nr can be identified without compromising crop yields. The most effective option to reduce Nr losses was removing synthetic N fertilizers, leading to 75% reductions in N surpluses mainly due to a reduction of 64% of N inputs, but with associated yield penalties (31%\uffe2\uff80\uff9335%). The most feasible alternative was the removal of urea, resulting in 19% reductions of N inputs, 15%\uffe2\uff80\uff9321% declines in N surplus, and negligible yield losses. While these measures are applied at the field scale, their potential to produce a valuable change can only be assessed at regional scale. Because of this, a spatial analysis was performed showing that largest Nr losses occurred in irrigated horticultural crops. The policy implications of the results are discussed.Overuse of N fertilizers in crops has induced the disruption of the N cycle, triggering the release of reactive N (Nr) to the environment. Several EU policies have been developed to address this challenge, establishing targets to reduce agricultural Nr losses. Their achievement could be materialized through the introduction of fertilizing innovations such as incorporating fertilizer into soils, using urease inhibitors, or by adjusting N inputs to crop needs that could impact in both yields and environment. The Murcia region (southeastern Spain) was selected as a paradigmatic case study, since overfertilization has induced severe environmental problems in the region in the last decade, to assess the impact of a set of 8 N fertilizing alternatives on crop yields and environmental Nr losses. Some of these practices imply the reduction of N entering in crops. We followed an integrated approach analyzing the evolution of the region in the long-term (1860\uffe2\uff80\uff932018) and considering nested spatial- (from grid to region) and systems scales (from crops to the full agro-food system). We hypothesized that, even despite reduction of N inputs, suitable solutions for the abatement of Nr can be identified without compromising crop yields. The most effective option to reduce Nr losses was removing synthetic N fertilizers, leading to 75% reductions in N surpluses mainly due to a reduction of 64% of N inputs, but with associated yield penalties (31%\uffe2\uff80\uff9335%). The most feasible alternative was the removal of urea, resulting in 19% reductions of N inputs, 15%\uffe2\uff80\uff9321% declines in N surplus, and negligible yield losses. While these measures are applied at the field scale, their potential to produce a valuable change can only be assessed at regional scale. Because of this, a spatial analysis was performed showing that largest Nr losses occurred in irrigated horticultural crops. The policy implications of the results are discussed.The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of adding DMPP (3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate) to urea on nitrate leaching and maize (Zea mays L.) yield over two growing seasons. Two nitrogen (N) levels (optimum and excessive) were applied to an irrigated maize crop under Mediterranean conditions. There were five treatments: optimal N (as urea) and the same dose plus DMPP; optimal N (as urea plus 40 kg N/ha) and the same N dose plus DMPP; and a control with no added N fertilizer. The maize was irrigated with an overhead mobile-line sprinkler system. EnviroSCAN probes were used to determine drainage and evapotranspiration and ceramic cups to obtain soil solution samples at a soil depth of 1.4 m. The use of DMPP with urea reduced nitrate leaching. No phytotoxic effects were observed due to the DMPP. There were no differences in grain yield between treatments with and without DMPP at the same rate of N. When DMPP was applied, sodium was displaced from the soil exchange complex due to increased NH4+ concentration, which also increased the electrical conductivity of soil in the drainage zone.
", "keywords": ["ZEA MAYS; APLICACION DE ABONOS; ABONOS NITROGENADOS; UREA; NITRATOS; LIXIVIACION; POLUCION DE AGUAS SUBTERRANEAS; INHIBIDORES DE LA NITRIFICACION; CONTROL DE LA CONTAMINACION; RENDIMIENTO DE CULTIVOS", "NITRIFICATION INHIBITORS", "INHIBIDORES DE LA NITRIFICACION", "NITROGEN FERTILIZERS", "CONTROL DE LA CONTAMINACION", "LEACHING", "POLLUTION CONTROL", "GROUNDWATER POLLUTION", "NITRATES", "Fertilizing", "RENDIMIENTO DE CULTIVOS", "CROP YIELD", "FERTILIZER APPLICATION", "APLICACION DE ABONOS", "ZEA MAYS", "ZEA MAYS; FERTILIZER APPLICATION; NITROGEN FERTILIZERS; UREA; NITRATES; LEACHING; GROUNDWATER POLLUTION; NITRIFICATION INHIBITORS; POLLUTION CONTROL; CROP YIELD", "POLUCION DE AGUAS SUBTERRANEAS", "2. Zero hunger", "ABONOS NITROGENADOS", "0402 animal and dairy science", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "6. Clean water", "NITRATOS", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "LIXIVIACION", "UREA"], "contacts": [{"organization": "D\u00edez L\u00f3pez, J.A., Hernaiz, P.,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2008062-320"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Spanish%20Journal%20of%20Agricultural%20Research", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.5424/sjar/2008062-320", "name": "item", "description": "10.5424/sjar/2008062-320", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.5424/sjar/2008062-320"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2008-06-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10578/40935", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-09-22T16:22:05Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2023-05-19", "title": "Fertilization strategies for abating N pollution at the scale of a highly vulnerable and diverse semi-arid agricultural region (Murcia, Spain)", "description": "AbstractOveruse of N fertilizers in crops has induced the disruption of the N cycle, triggering the release of reactive N (Nr) to the environment. Several EU policies have been developed to address this challenge, establishing targets to reduce agricultural Nr losses. Their achievement could be materialized through the introduction of fertilizing innovations such as incorporating fertilizer into soils, using urease inhibitors, or by adjusting N inputs to crop needs that could impact in both yields and environment. The Murcia region (southeastern Spain) was selected as a paradigmatic case study, since overfertilization has induced severe environmental problems in the region in the last decade, to assess the impact of a set of 8 N fertilizing alternatives on crop yields and environmental Nr losses. Some of these practices imply the reduction of N entering in crops. We followed an integrated approach analyzing the evolution of the region in the long-term (1860\uffe2\uff80\uff932018) and considering nested spatial- (from grid to region) and systems scales (from crops to the full agro-food system). We hypothesized that, even despite reduction of N inputs, suitable solutions for the abatement of Nr can be identified without compromising crop yields. The most effective option to reduce Nr losses was removing synthetic N fertilizers, leading to 75% reductions in N surpluses mainly due to a reduction of 64% of N inputs, but with associated yield penalties (31%\uffe2\uff80\uff9335%). The most feasible alternative was the removal of urea, resulting in 19% reductions of N inputs, 15%\uffe2\uff80\uff9321% declines in N surplus, and negligible yield losses. While these measures are applied at the field scale, their potential to produce a valuable change can only be assessed at regional scale. Because of this, a spatial analysis was performed showing that largest Nr losses occurred in irrigated horticultural crops. The policy implications of the results are discussed.