Ladha’s new book guides improved nitrogen use

As a child, Jagdish Ladha was fascinated by plants and the invisible forces that make them grow. As he got older, that early curiosity turned to the study of nitrogen and sparked a scientific career spanning more than five decades and continents. 

“Nitrogen is the essential nutrient at the heart of plant growth,” said Ladha, now an adjunct professor in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences and one of the world’s leading authorities on nitrogen management. His lifetime of expertise has been laid out in a new book, “Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Crop Production,” which he edited. It was published by Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing earlier this year.

The book offers an in-depth yet accessible overview of how to make the best use of nitrogen, which usually is delivered through fertilizers. Farmers spent $32 billion on fertilizers, lime and other soil conditioners in 2023 alone according to a report citing the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Yet, field crops take up only about 30 to 50 percent of the nitrogen used in that fertilizer, leaving much to runoff and pollution. 

“Nitrogen use efficiency can help growers boost productivity, reduce fertilizer costs and decrease environmental harm,” Ladha wrote. “This book combines decades of scientific progress with real-world applications... My aim is that it would serve as both a reference and an inspiration for researchers, educators, policymakers and farmers committed to building a more sustainable future for global food systems.”

Ladha has conducted pioneering research at institutions across Asia and North America, including the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines and at UC Davis. He hopes his work would “help shape global strategies to balance agricultural productivity with environmental stewardship,” he said. 

The wondrous world of nitrogen

The book brings together insights from global experts on nitrogen cycling, organic and inorganic nitrogen sources. Divided into three main sections, it provides a comprehensive overview of how nitrogen is used and analyzed in agricultural systems.

The first section focuses on nitrogen fixation, plant nitrogen uptake and denitrification. It also looks at critical environmental issues such as nitrate leaching, supported by case studies on nitrogen-cycling genes, nitrous oxide fluxes and microbial processes. In addition, it highlights molecular, genetic and physiological strategies researchers are developing to improve nitrogen use efficiency in major field crops around the world.

The book then delves into how nitrogen is monitored through tools that help assess plant nitrogen status in real time. It gives particular attention to nitrogen fertilizers and the models used to evaluate their efficiency. The book looks at how these approaches influence both economic outcomes and environmental impacts for farming systems.

Finally, the book highlights the importance of organic sources of nitrogen and explores emerging innovations in this area. It summarizes the latest understanding of manure and soil management while also addressing challenges and knowledge gaps that remain in improving nitrogen use efficiency.

Book Information
 Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Crop Production
 Edited by Dr. J.K. Ladha
 Published by Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, 2025

Dr. Ladha’s book can be purchased at Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing’s website.