Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenge of balancing high agricultural productivity with environmental protection in Henan Province, which is a major grain-producing area in China. It highlights the significant impact of fertilizer use on PM2.5 pollution levels and suggests pathways to achieve both food security and improved air quality [1][6]. Group 1: Agricultural Fertilization and PM2.5 Relationship - Henan's agricultural practices require high fertilizer input, with a total fertilizer usage of 5.84 million tons in 2023, which is 3.6 times the national average. The application intensity is 35 tons per square kilometer, ranking first in the country [2]. - Nitrogen fertilizers dominate the fertilizer structure, leading to a nitrogen loss rate of 15%-30%, resulting in approximately 470,000 tons of nitrogen being released into the atmosphere annually, contributing to PM2.5 pollution [2][3]. Group 2: Temporal and Spatial Patterns of Pollution - There is a spatial correlation between high pollution areas and major grain production regions, with Henan's grain-producing areas also being PM2.5 hotspots [4]. - The fertilization period disrupts the typical seasonal PM2.5 patterns, with significant fluctuations observed during fertilization months, indicating a direct relationship between agricultural practices and air quality [5]. Group 3: Solutions for Balancing Production and Pollution - The article proposes a three-pronged approach to address the dual challenges of maintaining grain production and reducing pollution: policy support, technological advancements, and industrial transformation [6][7][8]. - Policy recommendations include establishing compensation mechanisms for reduced fertilizer use and monitoring ammonia emissions to assess their contribution to PM2.5 levels [6]. - Technological initiatives focus on promoting efficient fertilization techniques and the use of environmentally friendly fertilizers through subsidies and regulatory measures [7]. - Industrial transformation involves optimizing crop structures to reduce nitrogen demand and developing sustainable agricultural practices that create an ecological cycle [8].