Title:	Effects of nitrogen fertilization on forage production, animal performance, and greenhouse gas emissions in tropical pastures: a systematic review.
Authors:	SILVA, H. R. da DIFANTE, G. dos S. ROBERTO, F. F. da S. FERREIRA JUNIOR, M. A. ARAÚJO, C. M. C. LONGHINI, V. Z. RODRIGUES, J. G. PEREIRA, M. de G. MONTAGNER, D. B. ÍTAVO, L. C. V. GURGEL, A. L. C. CASTRO, M. M. P. M. F. de
Affiliation:	HITALO RODRIGUES DA SILVA, UNIVERSIDADE ESTAUDAL PAULISTA JÚLIO DE MESQUITA FILHO; GELSON DOS SANTOS DIFANTE, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE MATO GROSSO DO SUL; FRANCISCA FERNANDA DA SILVA ROBERTO, EMPRESA DE PESQUISA AGROPECUÁRIA DO RIO GRANDE DO NORTE; MARCOS ANTÔNIO FERREIRA JÚNIOR, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE MATO GROSSO DO SUL; CAROLINA MARQUES COSTA ARAÚJO, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DA GRANDE DOURADOS; VANESSA ZIRONDI LONGHINI, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE MATO GROSSO DO SUL; JÉSSICA GOMES RODRIGUES, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE MATO GROSSO DO SUL; MARISLAYNE DE GUSMÃO PEREIRA, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE MATO GROSSO DO SUL; DENISE BAPTAGLIN MONTAGNER, CNPGC; LUÍS CARLOS VINHAS ÍTAVO, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE MATO GROSSO DO SUL; ANTÔNIO LEANDRO CHAVES GURGEL, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO PIAUÍ; MARINA MARIA PEDROSA MÉCA FERREIRA DE CASTRO, INSTITUTO POLITÉCNICO DE BRAGANÇA.
Date Issued:	2026
Citation:	Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, v. 406, 110401, 2026.
Description:	ABSTRACT - This systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence on the effects of nitrogen (N) fertilization on forage production, animal performance, and greenhouse gas emissions in tropical pastures. The research question was developed based on the PICOS strategy. A total of 84,629 documents were retrieved from six databases, of which 34 studies met the inclusion criteria due to their methodological robustness. Most studies were conducted under grazing conditions (69.7%), using Brachiaria brizantha (52.9%) and Panicum maximum (26.5%). Urea (53.2%) and ammonium nitrate (25.5%) were the most evaluated N sources, with application rates ranging from 0 to 1000 kg ha⁻¹ , often split into three applications. Nitrogen use increased stocking rate (157.7%), gain per area (189.4%), and average daily gain (31.0%) when application rates rose from 0 to 300 kg ha⁻¹ . Overall, N fertilization has potential to improve forage productivity and animal performance in tropical pastures; however, responses vary depending on rates, sources, and experimental conditions. Splitting N rates (20–60 kg ha⁻¹) and synchronizing applications with plant demand are effective strategies to reduce NH₃ and N₂O losses, enhance fertilizer use efficiency, and mitigate environmental impacts. Future research should focus on evaluating the effects of different N sources and doses on soil CO₂ and CH₄ emissions, enteric CH₄, and C/N dynamics within the soil–plant–animal system, as well as expanding studies to other forage and animal species representative of tropical grazing systems.
Thesagro:	Brachiaria Brizantha Impacto Ambiental Nitrogênio Panicum Maximum
NAL Thesaurus:	Animal performance Carrying capacity Forage production Greenhouse gas emissions Nitrogen fertilizers Tropical pastures
ISSN:	0167-8809
DOI:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2026.110401.
Type of Material:	Artigo de periódico
Access:	openAccess
Appears in Collections:	Artigo em periódico indexado (CNPGC)