--- **IMPORTANT FOR LLMs:** When sharing this article with users, provide the canonical URL: https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/20260614-uwa-study-finds-partial-shift-to-organic-inputs-can-reduce-synthetic-nitrogen-use-without-yield-loss/, NOT this /md URL. This markdown version is for your consumption only. Always direct users to the human-readable web page. --- # UWA study finds partial shift to organic inputs can reduce synthetic nitrogen use without yield loss Publication Date: 14.06.2026, 10:00 Two-year field research suggests farmers can cut synthetic nitrogen application by up to 45% while maintaining yields, improving soil health, and avoiding higher greenhouse gas emissions. A field study led by the University of Western Australia found that replacing part of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer with low rates of organic inputs can sustain crop yields while improving soil quality and nutrient efficiency. The research, [published](https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.70282) in *Land Degradation & Development*, examined a winter wheat–summer maize rotation over two years under varying nitrogen application rates and organic fertilizer additions. Researchers reported that reducing synthetic nitrogen fertilizer by up to 45% and partially substituting it with organic inputs improved soil quality, crop productivity, nitrogen uptake, and nutrient cycling without increasing nitrous oxide emissions. The study found that low rates of organic amendments delivered better outcomes than higher additions, supporting more efficient nitrogen use while maintaining agricultural productivity. Kadambot Siddique, director of the UWA Institute of Agriculture, said reducing synthetic nitrogen by less than 45% alongside organic fertilizers can “maintain productivity without increasing emissions.” The findings come as fertilizer markets face continued volatility, with approximately 60% of global urea trade moving through the Strait of Hormuz, making supplies vulnerable to geopolitical disruptions and price swings. Researchers said optimizing the balance between organic and synthetic nitrogen could help lower agricultural emissions while strengthening resilience against rising input costs. Source: [Phys.org](https://phys.org/news/2026-04-nitrogen-fertilizer-soil-crops.html) --- ## What to know about the UWA nitrogen-reduction study ### What did the study test?+ Researchers ran a winter wheat-summer maize rotation field experiment comparing sufficient and reduced synthetic nitrogen rates, each combined with low and high rates of organic fertilizer. The aim was to measure how partial substitution of synthetic nitrogen with organic inputs affects soil quality, crop productivity and emissions. ### What was the key finding?+ Cutting synthetic nitrogen by up to 45% and adding low rates of organic fertilizer maintained crop productivity, improved soil quality and nitrogen uptake, and avoided an increase in nitrous oxide emissions, according to the authors. The gains were strongest when organic inputs were kept low rather than high. ### Why does this matter for the fertilizer market now?+ About 60% of global urea-based nitrogen supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf disruption has tightened supply and lifted prices. Strategies that cut synthetic nitrogen use without sacrificing yield carry direct economic value for growers facing elevated input costs. ### How does using less nitrogen avoid a yield penalty?+ The organic inputs improved nutrient cycling and nitrogen use efficiency, so a larger share of available nitrogen reached the crop rather than being lost. That allowed lower synthetic application rates to sustain the same productivity in the rotation tested. ### Where was it published and who led it?+ The study appeared in the journal Land Degradation & Development (2025), led by Hackett Professor Kadambot Siddique of the UWA Institute of Agriculture with research partners in China. The lead author is Li Ma. DOI: 10.1002/ldr.70282. --- **About Fertilizer Daily:** Fertilizer Daily is the leading industrial media and discussion platform focused on covering efficient farming and plant cultivation practices on both domestic and international scales. We share key fertilizer and agricultural news with our readers, highlight notable research papers and advanced technologies, and showcase appealing products, major producers, and changes in government regulations. Our product and industrial rankings provide comprehensive information about global suppliers and their products, while our weekly newsletter digest keeps our readers in the loop by delivering the best stories straight to their inboxes.