Spatial and temporal patterns of nutrients and their environmental impacts from the agriculture sector in India

The results show that in the period 1960–2010 food production growth was dramatic (374%), particularly in the region of the GR states (Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh). This production increase was primarily based on spectacular increases in crop yields and N inputs. However, due to slowly changing nutrient use efficiency, N surpluses and associated NH₃ emissions increased rapidly, with hotspots especially in the GR states. Maps using data at subnational scale yield a better representation of spatial heterogeneities of the soil N surpluses, emissions, and environmental impacts than maps based on country data. This is beneficial for effect calculations, as the location of negative environmental side effects strongly depends on the location of soil N and P surpluses.