Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) describes how effectively crops convert applied nitrogen into yield. Improving NUE is essential for farm profitability, as nitrogen is often the most expensive input, and it has major environmental implications due to fertilizer-related greenhouse gas emissions. Improved NUE also enhances phosphorus uptake by preventing nitrogen excess, which supports stronger root development and more effective phosphate use. 

Current approaches to improve NUE include urease inhibitors that slow ammonia losses from urea and nitrification inhibitors that delay nitrate formation, reducing leaching and nitrous oxide emissions. While effective and widely used, many of these solutions are not biodegradable, a growing concern in regions like Europe. Biological alternatives such as nitrogen-fixing or solubilizing microbes exist but are often dominated by well-established players. 

Innovations that enable better nitrogen management, reduce waste, and deliver measurable improvements in NUE would not only boost farmer profitability, but also reduce agriculture’s carbon footprint and unlock greater value from phosphate fertilizers, strengthening the overall resilience of farming systems.