Optimizing Agronomic, Environmental, Health and Economic Performances in Summer Maize Production through Fertilizer Nitrogen Management Strategies

Although nitrogen (N) fertilizer application plays an essential role in improving crop productivity, an inappropriate management can result in negative impacts on environment and human health. To break this dilemma, a 12-year field experiment (2008–2019) with five N application rates was conducted on the North China Plain (NCP) to evaluate the integrated impacts of optimizing N management (Opt. N, 160 kg N ha⁻¹ on average) on agronomic, environmental, health, and economic performances of summer maize production. Over the 12-year study, the Opt. N treatment achieved the maximal average grain yield (10.6 Mg ha⁻¹) and grain protein yield (793 kg ha⁻¹) among five N treatments. The life cycle assessment methodology was applied to determine the negative impacts on environmental and human health, and both of them increased with the N rate. Compared with the farmers’ conventional N rate (250 kg N ha⁻¹), the Opt. N treatment reduced acidification, eutrophication, global warming, and energy depletion potentials by 29%, 42%, 35%, and 18%, respectively, and reduced the health impact by 32% per Mg of grain yield or grain protein yield produced. Both the Opt. N and Opt. N*50–70% treatments resulted in high private profitability (2038 USD ha⁻¹), ecosystem economic benefit (1811 USD ha⁻¹), and integrated compensation benefit (17,548 USD ha⁻¹). This study demonstrates the potential benefits of long-term optimizing of N management to maintain high maize yields and grain quality, to reduce various environmental impacts and health impacts, and to enhance economic benefits. These benefits can be further enhanced when Opt. N was combined with advanced agronomic management practices. The results also suggest that reducing the optimal N rate from 160 to 145 kg N ha⁻¹ is achievable to further reduce the negative impacts while maintaining high crop productivity. In conclusion, optimizing the N management is essential to promote sustainable summer maize production on the NCP.