Plant Gene and Trait 2025, Vol.16, No.3, 133-141 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/pgt 139 9 Environmental and Sustainability Perspectives 9.1 Reduction in nitrogen footprint and greenhouse gas emissions Applying nitrogen fertilizer in multiple installments can not only increase the yield of tomatoes but also reduce the problem of excessive fertilizer use. In this way, nitrogen fertilizer will not accumulate too much in the soil, and the risk of nitrogen loss and greenhouse gas emissions can also be reduced. Studies have found that if tomatoes are fertilized in stages according to their needs, not only will the fertilizer utilization efficiency be higher, but the environmental pressure will also be reduced (Du et al., 2020; Li et al., 2022). In addition, some new planting methods, such as “Integrated Crop and Nitrogen Management” (ICNM) or oxygen-infused irrigation techniques, can also reduce the amount of nitrogen fertilizer used without affecting the yield, helping to lower the nitrogen footprint of agriculture (Du et al., 2020; Li et al., 2022). 9.2 Contribution to sustainable fertilizer management Applying nitrogen in stages can also enable plants to better absorb the fertilizer, making it more fully utilized and thus less likely to be wasted. Many experiments have found that if nitrogen is applied according to the needs of crops at different growth stages and combined with appropriate irrigation methods, not only will the yield and fruit quality be improved, but also the utilization efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer can be enhanced (Wabela, 2018; Du et al., 2020; Li et al., 2020; Fan et al., 2022; Wang et al., 2025). This approach also enhances “productivity of nitrogen” (PFPn) and “water use efficiency” (WUE), enabling both water and fertilizer to be used more efficiently. In addition, applying nitrogen in multiple stages can also make the roots of tomatoes grow better. When the root system is stronger, the ability to absorb nutrients is also stronger, and the overall nitrogen utilization rate is naturally higher (Li et al., 2022). 9.3 Policies and guidelines for climate-smart nitrogen use In order to make agriculture more sustainable, it is very important to formulate reasonable nitrogen fertilizer management policies. The research suggests that the amount of nitrogen fertilizer should be adjusted according to the growth stage of the crops. For instance, the demand for nitrogen is not high during the seedling stage and the flowering stage, so too much should not be applied at these times. When the fruits start to expand, a little more can be applied appropriately. This can not only ensure the yield but also protect the environment (Hernández et al., 2020; Wang et al., 2025). In addition, it is also very helpful to promote some advanced methods, such as “integrated crop-nitrogen management”, precise irrigation and staged fertilization, etc. These technologies can help farmers use fertilizers more scientifically. They not only reduce pollution but also enhance agriculture’s ability to cope with climate change, making planting more stable and long-lasting (Du et al., 2020; Li et al., 2022). 10 Concluding Remarks Applying nitrogen fertilizer separately at different growth stages can significantly increase the fruit setting rate and yield of indeterminate tomatoes. Many studies have found that applying part of the nitrogen fertilizer during the transplanting period and part for later growth (such as “50%+50%” or “25%+75%”) usually yields better than applying it all at once. This way, not only are there more fruits, but their quality is also better. For instance, the content of soluble solids and vitamin C is higher, and the utilization of nitrogen fertilizer and water is also more efficient. Moreover, tomatoes use less nitrogen during the seedling stage. During the flowering period, they mainly rely on nitrogen in the soil. It is not until the fruit expands that they truly need to supplement fertilizers. So it is very important to arrange fertilization according to the growth stage of tomatoes. It is recommended that farmers adopt the method of phased nitrogen application, especially the combination mode of “transplanting period + growth period”, which can better increase the yield and fertilizer efficiency. If water is tight, you can also combine it with moderate water-saving irrigation, such as controlling the watering time or frequency. This not only saves water but also improves the quality of the fruit. When promoting this technology, it is necessary to strengthen the training for farmers and teach them how to fertilize scientifically according to the growth of tomatoes to avoid waste and harm to the environment. In addition, precise irrigation and fertilization methods such as drip irrigation and sub-film drip irrigation are also recommended to be used in combination, which can make fertilizer and water management more meticulous.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==