Prospects for Reducing Nitrogen Fertilizer Pollution through Genetic Engineering

The report assesses whether genetic engineering can reduce nitrogen fertilizer pollution by improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in crops. It finds that while some GE genes show promise in controlled environments, no GE NUE crops have been commercialized, and they may cause unpredictable side effects. In contrast, traditional breeding has a proven track record of improving NUE, and ecosystem-based methods like cover crops and precision farming offer complementary ways to reduce nitrogen loss. The authors argue that a multi-pronged approach, supported by increased public investment in non-GE methods, is necessary to feed a growing population while mitigating environmental damage.

• Nitrogen pollution from agriculture is a critical global threat, contributing to the Gulf of Mexico 'dead zone', acid rain, and global warming via nitrous oxide emissions. A scientific assessment identified nitrogen pollution as one of only three planetary boundaries already crossed that could lead to disastrous consequences.
• Genetic engineering for improved NUE is significantly less advanced than GE for insect resistance or herbicide tolerance. Between 1987 and 2009, the USDA approved approximately 125 field trials for NUE, compared to thousands for other traits.
• No GE NUE crops have been approved for commercial use in any country. While experimental grain crops in controlled environments showed NUE improvements of 10 to 50 percent, these results may not translate to commercial field conditions.
• GE NUE crops may cause unpredictable pleiotropic effects, such as reducing the expression of genes that protect plants against disease or altering the production of harmful substances in edible parts.
• Traditional breeding has a demonstrated track record of improving NUE in commercial varieties. Examples include a 29 percent gain in wheat NUE in France and a 42 percent increase in Mexico over 35 years.
• Cover crops, particularly legumes, can significantly reduce nitrogen leaching into groundwater. Non-legume cover crops like rye reduced leaching by an average of 70 percent, while legume cover crops reduced it by 40 percent.
• Precision farming can increase NUE by matching fertilizer application to crop needs, but adoption of high-precision variable-rate applicators has declined in the U.S. for corn and soybeans between 1998 and 2002.
• The report concludes that GE is not uniquely beneficial or faster than traditional breeding for complex traits like NUE. It recommends increased public funding for traditional breeding and system-based approaches like organic farming and cover cropping.

APA

Gurian-Sherman, D., & Gurwick, N. (2009). Prospects for Reducing Nitrogen Fertilizer Pollution through Genetic Engineering. Union of Concerned Scientists. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/no-sure-fix.pdf

Chicago

Gurian-Sherman, Doug, and Noel Gurwick. Prospects for Reducing Nitrogen Fertilizer Pollution through Genetic Engineering. Union of Concerned Scientists, 2009. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/no-sure-fix.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Gurian-Sherman |first1=Doug |last2=Gurwick |first2=Noel |title=Prospects for Reducing Nitrogen Fertilizer Pollution through Genetic Engineering |publisher=Union of Concerned Scientists |date=December 2009 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/no-sure-fix.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{guriansherman2009prospects, author = {Gurian-Sherman, Doug and Gurwick, Noel}, title = {{Prospects for Reducing Nitrogen Fertilizer Pollution through Genetic Engineering}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2009}, month = dec, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/no-sure-fix.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }