Reducing N2O emissions through best fertilization practices

Description

Nitrogen fertilizers are essential for the production of high-yielding protein-rich cereal crops in Quebec. However, high nitrogen concentration in agricultural soil is linked to emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas and ozone depleting substance. The agricultural sector needs to control direct N2O emissions produced by soils as well as indirect N2O emissions that occur when nitrate leaching from agricultural fields is transformed into N2O in downstream ecosystems. The overall objective of this study is to determine which nitrogen conservation practices are the most effective in reducing N2O emissions from fertilizers on Quebec farms. This work will contribute to the development of a robust and reliable quantification protocol for N2O emission reductions from Quebec farms.

Objective(s)

• Evaluate how nitrogen conservation practices in nitrogen-demanding maize agroecosystems can reduce N2O emissions and leached nitrates from inorganic fertilizers;
• Quantify the reduction in N2O emissions and nitrate leaching that can be achieved when fertilizers are applied in corn agroecosystems during the growing season compared to fall applications;
• Assign N2O reduction coefficients to fertilization practices that emit less N2O than the reference level of IPCC-Tier I and Canadian-Tier II methods.