Transboundary Impacts of NO₂ on Soil Nitrogen Fixation and Their Effects on Crop Yields in China

Abstract

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) impacts climate, air quality, soil nitrogen fixation, and crop production, yet its transboundary impacts remain unclear. This study combines 15 global datasets to assess nitrogen’s transboundary impacts on crop yields and soil health. We use machine learning to develop yield prediction models for major grain crops (maize, rice, soybean, and wheat) affected by NO2. Our findings indicate stable soil nitrogen fixation in China from 2015 to 2020, although overgrazing and deforestation may cause declines. Increasing soil total nitrogen content by 0.62–2.1 g/kg can reduce NO2 by 10–30%. Our research indicates that the current agricultural environments for major grain crops (58.5–94.2%) have already exceeded the NO2 concentration range that crops can tolerate, particularly in regions near northern urban clusters. This highlights the need for regional interventions, such as precision nitrogen fertilizer management, to enhance both soil nitrogen fixation and crop yields. Scenario analysis suggests that NO2 control can boost maize and rice yields in a greener context, while increasing total nitrogen content improves wheat and soybean yields. This provides a solution for advancing sustainable agriculture by linking nitrogen cycle management with improved crop yields and environmental sustainability.

Keywords

• total nitrogen content
• nitrogen cycle
• transboundary impact
• nitrogen fixation
• yield prediction model