The progressive reduction of synthetic agrochemical fertilizers is one of the key factors in the shift from conventional agriculture to sustainable farming. Nitrogen (N) is the ruling element in the development of agricultural production, but its use in the mineral form or its excessive use causes several environmental issues. Since the release of N nanocomposites coincides with their uptake by crops, N loss reduces while enhancing plant uptake due to nano fertilizers application. Additionally, an intercropping legume with cereal as an eco-friendly pattern could improve and rationalize the nitrogenous inputs. Therefore, a two-year field trial was conducted to determine the efficacy of nano-chitosan-loaded N (CS-NNPs) for saving mineral N amounts applied in maize-based on maize-soybean intercropping and enhancing land productivity. Methods In a randomized split-plot design in three replicates, three intercropping patterns, in addition to the sole crops, and three N levels were implemented. Intercropping involved three intercrop configurations [planting maize rows (M) alternated with soybean rows (S) in patterns of 4M:2S, 2M:4S, and 3M:3S)], in addition to planting sole maize crop (SMC) and sole soybean crop (SSC). N fertilization treatments included adding 288 kg N ha⁻¹ (MN100%) and two levels of CS-NNPs composite involving 216 kg N ha⁻¹ + 2 foliar sprays of CS-NNPs (MN75% + 2CS-NNPs), and 144 kg N ha⁻¹ + 3 foliar sprays of CS-NNPs composite (MN50% + 3CS-NNPs). Under the tested treatments, the agronomic traits, intercropping indices, and economic benefits were estimated. Results Findings revealed that the application of SMC × MN75% + 2CS-NNPs, followed by 4M:2S × MN75% + 2CS-NNPs showed the highest growth, biological yield, and grain yield of maize. The interaction of SSC × MN75% + 2CS-NNPs, followed by 2M:4S × MN75% + 2CS-NNPs resulted in the highest seed yield components, biological yield, straw yield, and seed yield of soybean. Application of 2M:4S × MN100%, 2M:4S × MN50% + 3NNPs, and 3M:3S × MN100% recorded the maximum total land equivalent ratio. While applications of 2M:4S × MN100%, 2M:4S × MN75% + 2CS-NNPs, and 3M:3S × MN100% achieved the highest land equivalent coefficient, land-use efficiency, area time equivalent ratio, and percent yield difference. Likewise, both interactions of 2M:4S × MN75% + 2CS-NNPs and 3M:3S × MN100% recorded the highest system productivity index. Better yield advantage of maize-soybean intercrop compared with the monocrop since total actual yield loss values were positive and higher than zero in all interactions of intercropping pattern × N fertilization. Fertilizing maize with MN50% + 3CS NNPs grown under the 2M:4S pattern had the highest positive aggressivity values. Conclusion The productivity shortfall accompanying the 25% N reduction was compensated by the application of CS-NNPs. Thus, N applied to the maize intercropped with soybeans can be rationalized. This undoubtedly has a good economic payoff for the maize growers with the conservation of the agricultural environment. In maize production systems, it is advisable to fertilize the plants using 216 kg instead of 288 kg nitrogen ha⁻¹ when nano chitosan-loaded nitrogen composite twice (0.48 kg nitrogen ha⁻¹) applied.

合成农用化肥的逐步减少是传统农业向可持续农业转变的关键因素之一。氮（N）是农业生产发展的主导元素，但其以矿物形式使用或过度使用会导致一些环境问题。由于氮纳米复合材料的释放与作物的吸收同时发生，因此纳米肥料的施用减少了氮的损失，同时增强了植物的吸收。此外，豆类与谷物间作作为一种生态友好模式可以改善和合理化氮投入。因此，进行了为期两年的田间试验，以确定纳米壳聚糖负载氮（CS-NNPs）在玉米-大豆间作玉米中节省矿质氮用量和提高土地生产力的功效。方法 在随机裂区设计中，除了单作作物外，还实施了三个重复、三种间作模式和三个氮水平。间作涉及三种间作配置[以 4M:2S、2M:4S 和 3M:3S 的模式交替种植玉米行 (M) 和大豆行 (S)]，此外还种植单一玉米作物 (SMC) 和单一大豆作物（SSC）。施氮处理包括添加 288 kg N ha⁻¹ (MN100%) 和两个水平的 CS-NNPs 复合材料，包括 216 kg N ha ⁻¹  + 2 叶面喷洒 CS-NNPs (MN75% + 2CS-NNPs) 和 144 kg N ha ⁻¹ + 3 次 CS-NNP 复合材料叶面喷雾（MN50% + 3CS-NNP）。在试验处理下，估算了农艺性状、间作指数和经济效益。结果结果显示，施用SMC×MN75%+2CS-NNPs，其次是4M:2S×MN75%+2CS-NNPs，玉米的生长、生物产量和籽粒产量最高。SSC × MN75% + 2CS-NNPs、其次是 2M:4S × MN75% + 2CS-NNPs 的相互作用导致大豆种子产量、生物产量、秸秆产量和种子产量最高。2M:4S×MN100%、2M:4S×MN50%+3NNPs、3M:3S×MN100%的施用记录了最大的总土地当量比。而2M:4S×MN100%、2M:4S×MN75%+2CS-NNPs、3M:3S×MN100%的应用取得了最高的土地当量系数、土地利用效率、面积时间当量比、和百分比产量差异。同样，2M:4S × MN75% + 2CS-NNP 和 3M:3S × MN100% 的相互作用都记录了最高的系统生产率指数。与单作相比，玉米-大豆间作具有更好的产量优势，因为在间作模式×施氮肥的所有相互作用中，总实际产量损失值为正且高于零。在 2M:4S 模式下使用 MN50% + 3CS NNP 施肥的玉米具有最高的正攻击性值。结论 氮肥减少 25% 导致的生产力下降可以通过应用 CS-NNP 得到补偿。由此可见，玉米与大豆间作的施氮量可以合理化。这无疑为玉米种植者带来了良好的经济回报，同时也保护了农业环境。在玉米生产系统中，^-1，当施加纳米壳聚糖负载氮复合物两次（0.48 kg氮ha ^-1）时。