Nitrification Inhibition: Uncertainties and Opportunities for Sustainable Agriculture

ABSTRACT In the contemporary discourse on sustainable development, reducing nitrogen (N) pollution is as critical as mitigating carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions. Nitrogen is a vital macronutrient for plant growth, and its application in fertilizers has significantly enhanced crop yields. However, intensive and inefficient N fertilization has led to serious environmental consequences, including water eutrophication, biodiversity loss, and increased emissions of nitrous oxide (N 2 O), a potent greenhouse gas for which agriculture is the main anthropogenic source. Stabilizing fertilizers with nitrification inhibitors (NIs) presents a promising strategy to improve N use efficiency and mitigate N losses. Despite their demonstrated benefits, NI‐stabilized fertilizers still represent only a minor share of the global fertilizer market. This opinion article explores the key uncertainties that may be limiting their broader adoption from an economic and ecological perspective. We examine current knowledge gaps regarding the effects of NIs on soil health and microbial communities, the potential for resistance development among nitrifiers, and the context‐dependent variability in their field performance. We also emphasize the need for full life cycle assessments to evaluate whether their environmental benefits outweigh the costs associated with production and application. Finally, we propose strategies to optimize both the use and design of NIs, such as soil‐specific application approaches, decoupling NI dosage from N rates, and the discovery of more potent and selective inhibitors. By addressing these uncertainties and proposing strategies for further improvement of current and novel NIs, NI‐stabilized fertilizers could become a central tool for sustainable N management in agriculture.