Definition
(source:
Our World in Data):
Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is the ratio between nitrogen inputs and output. A NUE of 40% means that only 40% of nitrogen inputs are converted into nitrogen in the form of crops. The remaining 60% is lost to the environment as a pollutant.
The data of this indicator is based on the following sources:
Lassaletta et al. – 50 year trends in nitrogen use efficiency of world cropping systems: the relationship between yield and nitrogen input to cropland
This dataset measures the nitrogen balance of agricultural inputs and outputs.
Nitrogen inputs are measured as the application of nitrogen to crops either from synthetic fertilizers, or organic sources such as manure.
Nitrogen output is measured as the nitrogen produced in the form of crops.