Nutrient use efficiency (NUE) for sustainable wheat production: a review

Abstract

In the last five decades, nutrient applications to farmlands have significantly improved crop yield and public awareness about nutrient use efficiency (NUE). The crop production system is nutrient-dependent in unfertile lands. The ideal management applications are used to enhance the NUE i.e. application of nutrients at right place and time with right rate. However, there must be a balance among the crop productivity and NUE. The maximum NUE is always observed where nutrient supply is lowest. The use of vital plant nutrients is significant for agricultural sustainability. However, the application of essential nutrient is under the influence of plant, climate, and economic conditions of farmers. In general agro-climatic conditions, the crop has fertilizer or NUE below 50%. The lower NUE is directly proportional to excess stability of nutrients, which may cause environmental pollution. Enhancement in NUE is crucial in agro-economical point of view. Improvement in plant nutrition e.g. P, N, and K, is the need of the hour to achieve food and fiber. In this review, we focused on discussing the significance of NUE and how NUE can be enhanced. There should be a balance among optimum NUE and excellent crop production.