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Introduction: A better understanding of the physiological response of silage maize to a mild reduction in nitrogen (N) fertilization and the identification of predictive biochemical markers of N utilization efficiency could contribute to limit the detrimental effect of the overuse of N inputs., Objectives: We integrated phenotypic and biochemical data to interpret the physiology of maize in response to a mild reduction in N fertilization under agronomic conditions and identify predictive leaf metabolic and proteic markers that could be used to pilot and rationalize N fertilization., Methods: Eco-physiological, developmental and yield-related traits were measured and complemented with metabolomic and proteomic approaches performed on young leaves of a core panel of 29 European genetically diverse dent hybrids cultivated in the field under non-limiting and reduced N fertilization conditions., Results: Metabolome and proteome data were analyzed either individually or in an integrated manner together with eco-physiological, developmental, phenotypic and yield-related traits. They allowed to identify (i) common N-responsive metabolites and proteins that could be used as predictive markers to monitor N fertilization, (ii) silage maize hybrids that exhibit improved agronomic performance when N fertilization is reduced., Conclusions: Among the N-responsive metabolites and proteins identified, a cytosolic NADP-dependent malic enzyme and four metabolite signatures stand out as promising markers that could be used for both breeding and agronomic purposes., (© 2024. The Author(s).)