Stable nitrogen isotope helps scientists optimize water, fertilizer use (French Edition)

Experts in a growing number of countries are using a nuclear technique to help farmers increase crop yields, optimize fertilizer use and evaluate varieties of rice, cereals and vegetables for their efficiency in making the best use of fertilizers. Research has shown that less than 40% of the fertilizer applied globally is taken up by crops, while the remaining 60% is either lost to the atmosphere or to groundwater, or is left in the soil in a form that cannot be taken up by the crop.