Reactive nitrogen (N) plays a pivotal role in supplying N to plants and soil microbes, but it has negative environmental impacts through infuencing the quality of water and air, which in turn infuences human health. Thus, there is an urgent necessity to maximize N benefts while reducing the negative impacts on the environment. Improving crop N use efciency (NUE) is required for environmental conservation and agricultural sustainability. Thus, the pivotal objective of this article is to introduce the modern developments and imminent prospects of improving crops NUE using various complementary methods. Here, the approaches of site-specifc N management, use of synthetic and biological nitrifcation inhibitors, microbial nitrate (NO3−) immobilization stimulation, and stimulation of the dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA), adopting agroforestry system, breeding techniques, quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, omics approaches, and potential new targets and overexpression of N-related genes were presented as efective approaches to improving NUE. Optimal rate, time, application methods, using specially formulated forms of fertilizer, and using nitrifcation inhibitors are the most agricultural practices linked with improving NUE. The fertilizer recommendations could be often justifed across the feld rather than a uniform application using spatial variability of nutrient content. Restoring soil NO3− retention capacity and adopting agroforestry system can also be promising ways to improve NUE. Furthermore, the use of genetic modifcation or the development of new cultivars that use N more efciently is critical. In addition, omics data, including transcriptomics and metabolomics, not only advance our current understanding of N reactions but also help us move towards strategies, which are more efective in improving NUE and enhancing crop production. In conclusion, this article strongly advocates the use of integrated approaches with a private insight of genetics and agricultural management when managing N