Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer Application on N2O Emissions from Rice Cultivation: A Review

Rice is a major dietary component for more than half of the world’s population, and its cultivation requires a careful balance of nutrients to ensure high yields and sustainable practices. Soil-derived N2O fluxes represent a major environmental challenge with global implications. While agriculture is a necessary activity to feed a growing population, it must evolve to minimize its ecological footprint. This review provides an update on the effects of nitrogen fertilizer application, such as ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3), urea (CO(NH2)2), ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4), and calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN), on N2O emissions from rice cultivation. The role of various nitrification inhibitors (e.g., dicyandiamide (DCD), 2-chloro-6-(trichloromethyl) pyridine (nitrapyrin) and 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP)) in minimizing the release of N2O from soils to the atmosphere was also discussed. Here, we described N2O production by nitrification and denitrification processes in the paddy rice field, and then summarized the strategies, such as optimized fertilizer use, improved drainage and water management, and the use of organic amendments, that can enhance crop productivity while promoting sustainable reductions in N2O emissions.