Nutrient Management Research Articles

Impact of Macro and Micro-Nutrient Omission on Maize Growth and Yield: Assessing Critical Limiting Factors in Nutrient Management

Impact of Macro and Micro-Nutrient Omission on Maize Growth and Yield: Assessing Critical Limiting Factors in Nutrient Management

Potential Blind Spots and Hot Spots for Nutrient Loss

AbstractThe application and fate of nutrients are two of the biggest questions agriculture faces today, affecting everything from profit margins to water quality. Researchers work to examine the issue from all angles, such as the kinds of fertilizers widely used in the United States to how the topography of a field can impact the distribution and runoff of nutrients. In this article, we look at two recent research articles that approach these questions from different angles. One sees the nitrogen content of ammonium phosphate fertilizers as a “blind spot” in nitrogen budgets. The other sees farmed prairie potholes as potential “hot spots” for nutrient runoff downstream. Earn 1 CEU in Nutrient Management by reading this article and taking the quiz at https://web.sciencesocieties.org/Learning‐Center/Courses.

Water quality–fisheries tradeoffs in a changing climate underscore the need for adaptive ecosystem–based management

Changes driven by both unanticipated human activities and management actions are creating wicked management landscapes in freshwater and marine ecosystems that require new approaches to support decision-making. By linking a predictive model of nutrient- and temperature-driven bottom hypoxia with observed commercial fishery harvest data from Lake Erie (United States-Canada) over the past century (1928-2022) and climate projections (2030-2099), we show how simple, yet robust models and routine monitoring data can be used to identify tradeoffs associated with nutrient management and guide decision-making in even the largest of aquatic ecosystems now and in the future. Our approach enabled us to assess planned nutrient load reduction targets designed to mitigate nutrient-driven hypoxia and show why they appear overly restrictive based on current fishery needs, indicating tradeoffs between water quality and fisheries management goals. At the same time, our temperature results show that projected climate change impacts on hypoxic extent will require more stringent nutrient regulations in the future. Beyond providing a rare example of bottom hypoxia driving changes in fishery harvests at an ecosystem scale, our study illustrates the need for adaptive ecosystem-based management, which can be informed by simple predictive models that can be readily applied over long time periods, account for tradeoffs across multiple management sectors (e.g., water quality, fisheries), and address ecosystem nonstationarity (e.g., climate change impacts on management targets). Such approaches will be critical for maintaining valued ecosystem services in the many aquatic systems worldwide that are vulnerable to multiple drivers of environmental change.

Impact of Different Technology Interventions on Agronomical Traits of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

The study conducted over three consecutive Rabi seasons (2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23) in the Lalburra block of Balaghat sought to promote advanced chickpea production techniques among farmers. A total of 15 demonstrations spanning 6.0 hectares showcased the benefits of adopting improved agricultural practices. This included the use of the high-yielding chickpea variety JG-16, soil test-based nutrient management, and targeted pest and disease control measures. Over the past three years, the demonstration plots achieved an average yield of 11.98 q ha⁻¹, while traditional farming methods produced only 8.01 q ha⁻¹. This leads to a remarkable yield enhancement of 47.48%. Additionally, the study recorded an average technology gap of 6.07 q ha-1, an extension gap of 3.86 q ha-1, and a technology index of 33.36%. The study underscores the effectiveness of advanced chickpea production techniques, increased yield while highlighting the need to bridge technology and extension gaps for enhanced productivity in the Lalburra block.

The LTAR Croplands Common Experiment at Upper Mississippi River Basin-Ames.

Agricultural systems evolve from the interactions of climate, crops, soils, management practices (e.g., tillage, cover crops, nutrient management), and economic risks and rewards. Alternatives to the corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] (C-S) cropping systems that dominate in the US Midwest may provide more sustainable use of resources, reduce the documented environmental impacts of current C-S systems, and improve production efficiency and ecosystem services. Innovative management practices are needed to offer producers options to increase farm resilience to variable weather conditions and offset negative environmental impacts. In response to this need, the Upper Mississippi River Basin Long-Term Agroecosystem Research network site at Ames, IA, established a cropland experiment in 2016 to investigate an alternative crop management system that includes reduced tillage, cover crops, and right source, right rate, right time, and right place (4R) nitrogen (N) management. The experimental site is located on the Iowa State University Kelley Research Farm in Boone County, IA. Crop, soil, air, and tile drainage water measurements are made throughout the year using published methods for each agronomic and environmental metric. Our goal is to provide quantitative information to farmers, consultants, agribusiness partners, and state and federal agencies to help guide decisions on the effective use of alternative management practices. Future changes in experimental treatments will adopt a knowledge co-production approach whereby researchers and stakeholders will work collaboratively to identify problems, implement research protocols, and interpret results.

Monitoring and Modelling Fluxes of Water and Nutrients to Surface Drainage Network From Irrigated Agricultural Fields in a Hydraulically Reclaimed Coastal Area

ABSTRACTThis paper describes the application of a physically based agrohydrological model (named FLOWS), coupled with a kinematic wave approach model (named KWV) for water and solute runoff routing, for interpreting the fate of water and nutrients coming from cultivated fields to surface drainage network located in ‘Piana del Sassu’ in the Arborea plain, a hydraulically reclaimed area with shallow groundwater. Modelling was supported by a large complex database on soil, groundwater and surface drainage water, which was used for establishing the boundary conditions for simulations, as well as for calibrating and validating the model. The model FLOWS provided the water and nutrient fluxes to the surface water, which were passed to the KWV model for their routing along the elementary fields in the experimental area and from these to the ditches and finally to the drainage channel. The modelling approach effectively predicted the water and solute distribution along the soil profile, as well as the losses of water and nutrients to the surface water. The results showed a significant amount of water and dissolved nutrients to flow quickly from the soil uppermost layer to the surface drainage network during both the irrigation season and during rainfall events. During irrigation applications, losses were mostly due to rainfall intensity exceeding the maximum infiltration velocity of the shallow soil layer in the case of sprinkler irrigation and to subsurface lateral drainage in the case of exceeding irrigation water provided by drip irrigation. This makes the Sassu plain a significant contributor of nutrients (nitrate and phosphorus) to the surface water. Consequently, even though the agricultural activities might not be an important issue for the groundwater vulnerability, the management of water and nutrients should be significantly improved to avoid ecohydrological threats to the important coastal water bodies present in the area.

Understanding the Mineral Nutrient Value of Wheat Residue

AbstractThere is a substantial pool of mineral nutrients contained in wheat residue, concentrated in K, which has substantial economic value. Given this value, it is important for wheat producers to weigh the relative benefits of residue harvest, which gives immediate but marginal revenue gains, and residue retention, which has multifaceted benefits that include substantial savings on future nutrient costs. Persistent removal of nutrients from agronomic systems through residue harvest affects soil nutrient availability in the short‐ and long‐term, and the timing and magnitude of these changes will depend on the cropping system and soil. Earn 1 CEU in Nutrient Management by reading the article and taking the quiz at https://web.sciencesocieties.org/Learning‐Center/Courses.

Optimizing Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Production: Genetic Insights, Climate Adaptation, and Efficient Management Practices: Systematic Review

Peanut production plays a crucial role in global food security, particularly in developing countries, where it provides essential nutrition and income. This paper examines the optimization of peanut production through genetic advancements, climate adaptation strategies, and sustainable practices. The primary objective is to increase yields by addressing challenges related to climate change, pests, and resource constraints. Globally, peanut production is hindered by rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, and declining soil quality, impacting both yield and quality. Developing countries, especially in Africa and Asia, face additional challenges, such as limited access to advanced agricultural technologies, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient support for smallholder farmers. The vital issues include genetic vulnerabilities to pests, climate stress, and inefficient water use. Recent genetic research has provided insights into breeding more resilient, drought-resistant varieties, offering hope for improving yields, despite environmental challenges. The adoption of climate adaptation strategies, precision farming, and integrated pest management is essential for boosting productivity. These, along with optimized irrigation and nutrient management, have significantly impacted peanut production in resource-limited settings. Additionally, drought-resistant varieties have proven crucial, enabling farmers to increase resilience and yields in areas facing climate stress. In conclusion, optimizing peanut production requires continued investment in genetic advancements, infrastructure, and sustainable practices. Future efforts should focus on improving climate adaptation and sustainable farming techniques for long-term success.

Exploring the effect of fertilizer application on yield and decoding CO2 flux under flooded paddy conditions towards sustainable agriculture

The impact of organic and inorganic nutrient management on the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2), soil properties such as available nutrients, microbial population and soil organic carbon (SOC) were investigated in paddy (Oryza sativa L.) field (at 8o 46’ N Latitude and 77o 42?’ E Longitude) under flooded condition during late pishanam season in 2023-2024. The treatments were designed to observe the effects of applying fertilizer based on the soil test crop response (100 % STCR-based NPK) that had been modified by organic amendments, which include absolute control (unfertilized), inorganic fertilizers, sole application of organic amendments (Farm yard manure, Green leaf manure, Vermicompost and Poultry manure) and combined these organic amendments with inorganic fertilizers. The main objective of this study is to understand the intricate relationship between fertilizers and carbon flux in paddy soils, which is crucial for developing sustainable agricultural practices that minimize environmental harm while ensuring food security. The observation of the experimental field study reported that the combined application of poultry manure at the rate of 5 tonnes per hectare with 100% STCR-based inorganic fertilizer recorded maximum yield and yield attributes. The treatment combination of poultry manure + inorganic fertilizer enhanced in sequestrating the soil organic carbon (0.67%) resulted in higher grain yield (5972 kg ha-1) and also observed that this combination will limit the emission of CO2 to the atmosphere. Therefore, it could be a better choice for carbon storage and higher productivity in a sustainable rice cropping system.

Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Methane Emissions from Rice Production Systems in Southern India

The impact of climate change on methane (CH4) emissions from rice production systems in the Coimbatore region (Tamil Nadu, India) was studied by leveraging field experiments across two main treatments and four sub-treatments in a split-plot design. Utilizing the closed-chamber method for gas collection and gas chromatography analysis, this study identified significant differences in CH4 emissions between conventional cultivation methods and the system of rice intensification (henceforth SRI). Over two growing seasons, conventional cultivation methods reported higher CH4 emissions (range: from 36.9 to 59.3 kg CH4 ha−1 season−1) compared with SRI (range: from 2.2 to 12.8 kg CH4 ha−1 season−1). Experimental data were subsequently used to guide parametrization and validation of the DeNitrification–DeComposition (DNDC) model. The validation of the model showed good agreement between the measured and modeled data, as denoted by the statistical tests performed, which included CRM (0.09), D-index (0.99), RMSE (7.16), EF (0.96), and R2 (0.92). The validated model was then used to develop future CH4 emissions projections under various shared socio-economic pathways (henceforth SSPs) for the mid- (2021–2050) and late (2051–2080) century. The analysis revealed a potential increase in CH4 emissions for the simulated scenarios, which was dependent on specific soil and irrigation management practices. Conventional cultivation produced the highest CH4 emissions, but it was shown that they could be reduced if the current practice was replaced by minimal flooding or through irrigation with alternating wetting and drying cycles. Emissions were predicted to rise until SSP 370, with a marginal increase in SSP 585 thereafter. The findings of this work underscored an urgency to develop climate-smart location-specific mitigation strategies focused on simultaneously improving current water and nutrient management practices. The use of methanotrophs to reduce CH4 production from rice systems should be considered in future work. This research also highlighted the critical interaction that exists between agricultural practices and climate change, and emphasized the need to implement adaptive crop management strategies that can sustain productivity and mitigate the environmental impacts of rice-based systems in southern India.

Fertilizer Industry Innovations Supporting Climate Mitigation

AbstractFertilizers, particularly nitrogen, comprise a large part of the carbon footprint of crop production. The industry is exploring and applying innovations toward reducing emissions of greenhouse gases arising from the manufacture and use of fertilizers. Earn 1 CEU in Nutrient Management by reading this article and taking the quiz at https://web.sciencesocieties.org/Learning‐Center/Courses.

From Field to Market: The Challenges Faced by Onion Growers in Chitradurga, Karnataka, India

Horticultural crops are integral to the Indian economy, serving as a major source of employment, and supplying vital raw materials to the food processing sector. Their cultivation leads to enhanced farm profitability, driven by increased yields and improved market opportunities. Moreover, the export of horticultural produce significantly contributes to foreign exchange earnings, further strengthening India's economic framework. Onion grows extensively across the nation in a variety of climates. India is the world's second-largest producer of onions. It ranks first in terms of acreage, third in terms of exports, and contributes roughly 22.83% to global production. The present study was conducted in 2023 in the Chitradurga district of Karnataka, aimed to identify the challenges faced by onion growers and gather their recommendations for addressing these issues. A total of 120 farmers were selected for the study, comprising sixty small and sixty big farmers. Utilizing an ex post facto research design, data were collected through a pre-tested, structured interview method. The findings highlighted several key constraints in onion cultivation, including limited awareness of nutrient management, price fluctuations in the market, and inadequate access to credit. The majority of farmers recommended the implementation of a minimum support price for onions and timely provision of credit at low-interest rate to mitigate these challenges.

Delineation of Management Zones for Site‐Specific Soil Nutrient Management for Sustainable Crop Production

ABSTRACTSoil nutrients deficiencies are one of the major causes of soil degradation in different parts of World, adversely impacting crop production. Delineation of soil nutrients management zones (MZs) is one of the commonly used techniques for evaluating spatial distribution pattern of soil parameters for adoption of site‐specific nutrient management. We, therefore, conducted the present study to understand the spatial distribution pattern of soil nutrients and their associated soil properties, and to delineate soil nutrients MZs in a north‐western Indian Himalayan (NWIH) region. A total of 18,930 representative surface (0–15 cm depth) soil samples were collected and processed. The processed soil sample were analyzed for pH, and electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic carbon (SOC), available N (AN), available P (AP), available potassium (AK), exchangeable Ca (Ex. Ca), exchangeable Mg (Ex. Mg), available S (AS), available Zn (AZn), available Fe (AFe), available Cu (ACu), available Mn (AMn) and available B (AB). The values of studied soil parameters varied widely with coefficient of variation ranging from 11.8% to 156%. Semivariogram analysis revealed stable, exponential and Gaussian best‐fit models for different soil parameters with weak (AP and AB), moderate (rest of soil parameters) and strong (AS) spatial dependence. Varied distribution pattern of soil parameters was visualized from ordinary kriging interpolation. Five soil nutrient management zones (MZs) were identified (using fuzzy performance index and normalized classification entropy values) by employing the techniques of principal component analysis and fuzzy c‐means clustering. Principal components with Eigen value > 1 were considered for further analysis. The soil parameters of identified MZs differed significantly. Thus, the study highlighted the usefulness of MZ delineation technique for site‐specific soil nutrient management in different cultivated areas for sustainable crop production. The developed MZ maps could suitably be used for efficient management of agronomic inputs especially fertilizer nutrients for improved environmental and economic efficiency.

Interactive effect of nutrient and weed management in transplanted rice (Oryza sativa L.) for enhancing the productivity in Eastern India

A field experiment comprising three nutrient and six weed management practices was conducted in strip plot design with three replications during 2019 and 2020 at Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar, India to assess the effect of the treatments on weed dynamics, productivity and nutrient uptake by crop and weed. Averaged over both years, among nutrient management practices, the soil test based dose (STD: 100-40-40 N-P2O5-K2O kg ha-1) + green manuring (GM) of dhaincha recorded the minimum weed density of 45.3 and 64.2 number m-2 and weed biomass of 19.2 and 37.6 g m-2 at 30 and 60 days after transplanting (DAT), respectively and the minimum N, P and K uptake of 6.4, 2.0 and 6.8 kg ha-1 by weed and the maximum N, P and K uptake of 113.6, 23.2 and 122.6 kg ha-1 by the crop, respectively. Among weed management practices, bensulfuronmethyl + pretilachlor (PE) fb HW on 35 DAT produced the minimum weed density of 25.15 and 20.66 number m-2, the minimum weed biomass of 7.70 and 8.08 g m-2 at 30 and 60 DAT, respectively and the minimum N, P and K uptake of 2.4, 0.5 and 2.6 kg ha-1 by weed and the maximum N, P and K of 117.9, 25.3 and 263.7 kg ha-1 by crop, respectively. Among nutrient management practices, the STD + GM proved to be the best with the maximum grain yield of 5562 kg ha-1. whereas the application of bensulfuronmethyl + pretilachlor (PE) fb HW on 35 DAT excelled over other weed management practices with the maximum grain yield of 5907 kg ha-1 registering 17.71 and 47.64% higher grain yield compared to the STD and the weedy check, respectively.

Environmental impacts and nitrogen-carbon-energy nexus of vegetable production in subtropical plateau lake basins

Vegetables are important economic crops globally, and their production has approximately doubled over the past 20 years. Globally, vegetables account for 13% of the harvested area but consume 25% of the fertilizer, leading to serious environmental impacts. However, the quantitative evaluation of vegetable production systems in subtropical plateau lake basins and the establishment of optimal management practices to further reduce environmental risks are still lacking. Using the life cycle assessment method, this study quantified the global warming, eutrophication, acidification, and energy depletion potential of vegetable production in a subtropical plateau lake basin in China based on data from 183 farmer surveys. Our results indicated that vegetable production in the study area, the Erhai Lake Basin, was high but came at a high environmental cost, mainly due to low fertilizer efficiency and high nutrient loss. Root vegetables have relatively high environmental costs due to the significant environmental impacts of fertilizer production, transportation, and application. A comprehensive analysis showed that the vegetable production in this region exhibited low economic and net ecosystem economic benefits, with ranges of 7.88–8.91 × 103 and 7.35–8.69 × 103 $ ha−1, respectively. Scenario analysis showed that adopting strategies that comprehensively consider soil, crop, and nutrient conditions for vegetable production can reduce environmental costs (with reductions in global warming potential (GWP), eutrophication potential (EP), acidification potential (AP), and energy depletion potential (EDP) by 10.6–28.2%, 65.1–73.5%, 64.5–71.9%, 47.8–70.4%, respectively) compared with the current practices of farmers. This study highlighted the importance of optimizing nutrient management in vegetable production based on farmers’ practices, which can achieve more yield with less environmental impacts and thereby avoid the “trade-off” effect between productivity and environmental sustainability.

Nutrient circularity of an anaerobic digestion project in a typical intensive rice cultivation village in the Vietnamese Mekong delta region: a regional material flow analysis and discussion of modeling practices

AbstractRice is the third largest agricultural commodity in the world. Intensive rice production is associated with high fertilizer application, and vast quantities of rice straw are often disposed of by open burning. As emissions of N and P from fertilizer and their impacts are highly spatially disparate, it is crucial to locally assess potential solutions for nutrient circularity. A model framework was established to evaluate the potential impact of local N, P and C cycles along with suitable circularity indicators. This framework was applied for a case study in the typical intensive rice cultivation village Hậu Mỹ Bắc B in the Mekong Delta using STAN modeling software. A novel technique, based on a patented temperature-phased anaerobic digestion (TPAD) loop-reactor design was investigated as a measure to reduce rice straw open burning, generate bioenergy and recover digestate for nutrient recirculation. The case study showed that rice straw TPAD could reduce open burning by 60%, while the N recovery rate increased to 21% when 200 ± 34 Mg/a of inorganic fertilizer was replaced with digestate. For C and P, the recovery rates increased to 14% and 11%, respectively. Based on the results, we concluded that TPAD has a strong impact on local nutrient circularity in terms of recirculation and sufficiency. Furthermore, the developed framework is suitable to use for master planning of nutrient circularity and for technological impact assessments at local scale. However, versatile, dynamic, and comparable monitoring frameworks with harmonized indicators to identify options for nutrient circularity are required for the detailed modeling of regional nutrient management.

Cannabis-Based Phytocannabinoids: Overview, Mechanism of Action, Therapeutic Application, Production, and Affecting Environmental Factors

This review provides an overview of cannabis-based phytocannabinoids, focusing on their mechanisms of action, therapeutic applications, and production processes, along with the environmental factors that affect their quality and efficacy. Phytocannabinoids such as THC (∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD (cannabidiol), CBG (cannabigerol), CBN (cannabinol), and CBC (cannabichromene) exhibit significant therapeutic potential in treating various physical and mental health conditions, including chronic pain, epilepsy, neurodegenerative diseases, skin disorders, and anxiety. The cultivation of cannabis plays a crucial role in determining cannabinoid profiles, with indoor cultivation offering more control and consistency than outdoor methods. Environmental factors such as light, water, temperature, humidity, nutrient management, CO2, and the drying method used are key to optimizing cannabinoid content in inflorescences. This review outlines the need for broader data transfer between the health industry and technological production, especially in terms of what concentration and cannabinoid ratios are effective in treatment. Such data transfer would provide cultivators with information on what environmental parameters should be manipulated to obtain the required final product.

Effect of Crop Establishment Method, Residue and Nutrient Management on Productivity of Rice-Wheat Cropping System at Rupandehi, Bhairahawa, Nepal

The puddling operation and multiple tillage operations done in traditional rice-wheat system have negative impact on soil resulting into low productivity of rice - wheat system. A field experiment was conducted to find the alternate practices for enhancing the productivity of rice-wheat system at National Wheat Research Program, Bhairahawa during 2018/19. Three crop establishment methods: surface seeded wheat (SSW) followed by (fb) unpuddled transplanted rice (U-TPR), zero tilled wheat (ZTW) fb zero tilled direct seeded rice (ZT-DSR) and conventionally tilled wheat (CTW) fb puddled transplanted rice (PTR) were tested in two levels of residue management: residue removed (R0) and residue retention (R50). Three levels of nutrient management: recommended dose of NPK (F100), 25% higher dose of NPK (F125) and farmer’s practice (FP) were assigned in wheat. Strip-split plot design with 3 replications was used in wheat while strip-plot design with 9 replications was used in rice. Crop establishment methods (CSM) were assigned in vertical strips; residue management in horizontal blocks and nutrient management were assigned in subplots. The number of tillers at maximum tillering stage, maximum leaf area index, effective tiller per square meter and number of grains per spike of wheat were significantly affected by CSM, where ZTW had shown better results (413.7 tillers, 2.12 LAI, 224.1 effective tiller per square meter and 34.27 grains per spike) than SSW and CTW but the CSM had no significant effect on grain yield of both rice and wheat crop. R0 had produced significantly higher straw yield than R50 of both rice and wheat, whereas, R50 had produced significantly higher harvest index than R0 in rice. The application of 25% more nutrients than the recommended dose resulted in the significantly better growth, yield attributes, and yield of wheat. The ZTW fb ZT-DSR had produced significantly higher system yield than SSW fb U-TPR where, CTW fb PTR was statistically at par with both systems. The recommended dose of nutrients (F100) and 25% higher than F100 (F125) had produced significantly higher system yield than farmer’s practice (FP) dose. Research results revealed that ZTW fb ZT-DSR system can be suggested instead of traditional CTW fb PTR system without significant yield differences.

Study on Omission Plot Technique in Popcorn

There are various limiting factors in production of popcorn in Nepal among one of them is lack of limited information on nutrient management particularly the macronutrient nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at National Agronomy Research Centre, Khumaltar, Nepal to study the limiting nutrient for popcorn Lumle yellow in 2022/23 and 2023/24 in loam soil. The experiment consisted of five treatments and four replications arranged in randomized complete block design. Five different treatment comprised of FYM (unfertilized/farmer practice), –N,+PK (N omitted), -P,+NK (P omitted) ,-K+NP (K omitted), +NPK applied plots. In 2022/23 and 2023/24 +NPK applied treatment produced significantly highest grain yield of 4.27 t ha-1 and 3.13 t ha-1 while N omitted treatment gave lowest grain yield of 1.36 t ha-1 and 1.30 t ha-1 respectively and this yield was at par with only FYM applied treatment. Grain yield levels obtained for different fertilizer treatments were ranked as +NPK>-P,+NK>-K,+NP>FYM>-N. The results concluded that application of optimum doses of three primary nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were essential to achieve optimum growth and productivity of maize.

Implementation of integrated nutrient management (MIN) on small agricultural properties: case studies in Mozambique

Integrated nutrient management is a sustainable approach that combines nutrient management practices to improve soil fertility and agricultural productivity while minimising environmental impacts. This article reviews the implementation of integrated nutrient management on small holder farms, focusing on case studies globally and in Mozambique. Integrated nutrient management integrates the use of organic and inorganic fertilisers, crop rotation and soil cover to optimise nutrient efficiency and preserve soil health. Case studies show that, globally, integrated nutrient management can increase productivity and sustainability, while in Mozambique, practices such as green manuring and nutrient recycling have shown significant benefits. However, implementation faces challenges such as technical complexity, initial costs and the need for institutional support. Future prospects include strengthening public policies, adopting innovative technologies and adapting to climate change. Integrated nutrient management offers a promising path to transform small-scale agriculture, promoting food security and ecological resilience. Through a commitment to innovation and local adaptation, integrated nutrient management can become a standard agricultural practice, empowering farmers and contributing to global sustainability.