Nitrogen and Non-Protein Nitrogen's effects on Agriculture

Nutrient management plans based on soil test results help optimize fertilizer use efficiency while minimizing nitrogen losses to the environment.

Even though nitrogen is a necessary element for life, too much of it in water can have negative effects on aquatic ecosystems and endanger human health.

The process of eutrophication, in which an abundance of nutrients encourages the growth of algae and other aquatic plants, can be brought on by elevated nitrogen levels in water.

In ruminant nutrition, NPN sources such as urea are commonly used as supplements to provide additional nitrogen for microbial protein synthesis in the rumen.

This microbial protein serves as a source of amino acids for the animal, supporting growth and productivity,[11] However, excessive consumption of NPN can lead to toxicity issues in ruminants.

Nitrogen runoff from agricultural operations can lead to eutrophication of water bodies, harmful algal blooms, and degradation of aquatic ecosystems[13]