## 5 Conclusions  
In summary, it is possible to conclude that a reduction in N fertilization according to the F2F strategy has more advantages than disadvantages both for farmers and for food consumers. It was proven that reduced N fertilization can slow the N cycle, thereby decreasing the availability of P and K--elements dependent on the microbial activity associated with N. On the other hand, lower N doses promote the accumulation of SOC, improving soil structure and water retention capacity. Increased OM content in the soil supports higher CEC, which prevents nutrient leaching and enables their long-term retention. Furthermore, reduced fertilization stabilizes soil pH, reducing acidification risks and enhancing the availability of Mg, Ca, and K. Lower acidity also limits the toxicity of heavy metals, such as Al and Mn, supporting the development of healthier root systems and beneficial microbial activity. Balanced and reduced N application can sustain productivity with fewer inputs, while the potential concern over falling yields under current climatic conditions could be mitigated in the mid-century by the positive effects of increased CO2 levels. One should note that studies have shown that a moderate reduction in N inputs does not lead to a decrease in crop yield but to, conversely, improved N use efficiency. Additionally, setting safe NO3- limits and encouraging sustainable practices are extremely important and recommended for policymakers, while researchers are extremely encouraged to examine through long-term experiments how reduced N fertilization according to the F2F strategy of the EU will affect yields and N losses under global climate change conditions. Consequently, with appropriate management, reduced N doses can enhance long-term soil fertility and improve nutrient balance.  
Reduced N fertilization has a complex impact on biological activity, biodiversity, crop yields, and human health. Lower N doses reduce the activity of N-dependent microorganisms, including enzymes involved in the N cycle, such as urease and protease, which may initially decrease the rate of OM decomposition. However, in the long term, reduced fertilization favors organisms better adapted to N-poor environments, such as N-fixing bacteria like _Rhizobium_ and mycorrhizal fungi, which support the biogeochemical cycle and improve nutrient availability. The increase in bacterial and fungal biodiversity enhances soil resilience to environmental stresses and helps maintain ecosystem stability, benefiting soil quality and its C sequestration potential.  
Less intensive N fertilization also influences plant microbiome composition, contributing to the better quality and nutritional value of crops, though it may limit their biomass. A key benefit of implementing reduced N fertilization is the lowered NO3- levels in plant products, which reduces health risks, such as the formation of carcinogenic NOCs, for consumers. Moreover, reduced N input supports environmental protection by limiting groundwater pollution and reducing N2O emissions, thus contributing to climate change mitigation and air quality improvement.  
Conceptualization, A.W.; writing--original draft preparation, K.K.; writing--review and editing, A.W. and K.J.; visualization, K.K.; supervision, A.W. and K.J.; funding acquisition, A.W. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
This research is partly based on findings from projects supported by the Agency for the Restructuring and Modernization of Agriculture under the action \"Cooperation\" (Nr 00019.DDD.6509.00016.2022.02) and the state budget (Poland) under the program of the Ministry of Education and Science named \"Science for the Society\", project number Nds/531260/2021/2021; the amount of funding was 100%, and the total value of the project was PLN 625 910.50.  
Not applicable.  
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.