The problem of nitrogen in modern agriculture

Abstract

Optimal nitrogen supply to plants, in conditions of sufficient moisture, allows for high crop productivity with high-quality indicators. The aim of this article was to summarize and analyze statistical data on the dynamics of nitrogen input and expenditure from arable land worldwide and in Ukraine, as well as provide practical recommendations for addressing the nitrogen issue in modern agriculture. The research utilized theoretical generalization, comparative analysis, graphical, abstract-logical methods and statistical data from FAOSTAT for the period of 2000-2020. The research results have shown that nitrogen input from mineral fertilizers has been constantly increasing both globally and in Ukraine. In contrast to global indicators, there has been a significant reduction in nitrogen input from manure in Ukraine, as well as a decrease in nitrogen input from atmospheric precipitation and through biological fixation by leguminous crops. The components of nitrogen balance, such as leaching, evaporation, and denitrification, play a significant role in nitrogen expenditure. These expenditure components tend to increase both globally and in Ukraine. The largest share in the expenditure component of all countries worldwide, including Ukraine, is occupied by nitrogen removal by cultivated crops. Calculations showed that the nitrogen balance on arable land, both globally and in most countries across different continents for the researched period, was positive. However, in Ukraine, it was negative for 18 out of 21 years. To solve this problem, practical recommendations are proposed using the best practices and developments of economically developed countries worldwide.