Nitrogen use efficiency in cereals production under Mediterranean conditions

Abstract

Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) for cereal production in Mediterranean regions is generally low due to N losses over winter and difficulties in calculating the optimum N level for a particular season, given that it depends on the existing rainfall pattern. The required N level can be estimated using models that relate wheat yield, nitrogen level and the amount of rainfall. However, significant increases in NUE of the applied N are best obtained by increasing soil organic matter content.