Global agricultural activities account for 15 to 20% of total greenhouse gas emissions, including nitrous oxide, which is released from soil following the addition of nitrogen-based fertilisers.
The use of nitrogen in agriculture hasn’t changed in the last 50 years and increasing efficiency will help reduce the release of nitrous oxide.
This could be as simple as educating producers to apply nitrogen at the roots of plants and using it gradually over the course of the year.
QUT researchers are undertaking a global study on efficiency of nitrogen use in agriculture that is the first of its kind.
The study, conducted with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, is expected to be released later this year.
Read more at Queensland University of Technology