Enhancing eco-environmental sustainability and wheat security in China: a sequential knowledge-based nitrogen strategy aligned with regional targets

Abstract The dual implications of nitrogen (N) use raise concerns regarding future wheat production, economic profitability, and environmental protection in China. Here, a comprehensive and sequential knowledge-based strategy that combines regional target-oriented optimal N rates and management practices was devised; as well as exploring its perspectives for promoting agricultural sustainability. It was found that employing a multi-objective optimization strategy that coordinates various government departments can lead to a reduction of 18.7–21.9% in N fertilizer consumption and 25.4–30.5% in reactive N losses while maintaining wheat yields compared to conventional N management. Furthermore, a combination of N rate optimization and management practices based on the principles of right time, rate, placement, and product could save economic costs of about 0.18–1.65 billion US dollars. The new strategy offers an example of how high economic and environmental benefits can be achieved with regional N optimization management while ensuring food security to guide targeted agricultural interventions.