Although required for crop growth, nutrient manufacture transport and application can increase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, contributing to Climate Change. The main impacts include:
- “lifecycle” emissions involved in inorganic fertiliser manufacture, transport and application
- Direct emissions from organic or inorganic fertilisers during and after application
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from fertilisers are mainly methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2).
Methane gas is 21x more potent than CO2. This is produced as the fertilisers react with the soil and air.
Nitrous Oxide is 312x more potent than CO2. It comes in part from the use of nitrogen fertilisers and from soil disturbance and is produced by soil microbes. The application of slurry and manure can be a significant source.
Carbon Dioxide is released through burning all types of fuel and through soil disturbance (yet essential for plant growth).
Ammonia (NH3) is released by livestock and fertilisers – it isn’t classed as a GHG itself, but it accelerates the greenhouse effect.
Maximise nutrient uptake by…
- having a nutrient budget for each field and each crop. Know what your crop requires and apply the right amount at the right time
- applying when the crop requires it – when it is actively growing
- avoiding windy days when ammonia losses are likely to be higher
- incorporating manures or slurries as soon as practical – you may need to apply less
- not applying in wet or frozen weather or onto saturated soils
Top tips …
- Carry out a nutrient budget. Apply N fertilisers to meet but not exceed crop requirement.
- Grow grass and other high N-demand crops on your driest soils.
- Maintain drains to minimise soil wetness.
- Minimise tillage operations to reduce soil microbe stimulation.
- Optimise soil pH to encourage nutrient uptake – around 6.3 for arable crops and a minimum of 5.8 for grass.
- Calibrate spreaders for an even spread pattern as well as a known rate of application.
Application practices
Timing
Most GHG emissions following N application are in the first 2-3 weeks after application. Wet or compacted soils are likely to release most N2O because of increased denitrification processes in those soils. Warmer weather encourages bacterial activity. Most N2O is produced at or near the soil surface immediately after top-dressing. Rainfall just before or just after makes emissions much higher. Cool, dry weather with light winds is best. Very high N2O emissions will result from applying slurry and mineral fertiliser close together. If making several applications ensure that the nitrogen value of slurry is fully accounted for.
Grass
Precision application methods such as trailing shoe and dribble bars will reduce nitrogen loss and reduce harmful N20 emissions. Check soil and slurry pH before applying slurries as alkaline slurries and/or soils will lead to higher N losses costing you money and increasing N2O emissions. Use of a trailing shoe or dribble bars can help grass growth by placing fertiliser at the roots and can also improve palatability relative to band spreading. Nitrification inhibitors can be used with ammonium-N fertilisers to reduce N2O emissions and may be worthwhile on grass due to grassland’s high emission potential. Grazed grass emissions are higher than cut grass – compaction by livestock and the deposition of urine and dung are partly responsible.
Cereals
Consider precision farming to match application to requirements accurately. In winter sown crops, consider using GPS to establish tramlines accurately when they are needed in springtime. The timing helps to reduce soil erosion risk and the improved accuracy will help you to place the fertiliser exactly where it is needed without overlaps or missed bits.
Potatoes and Vegetables
Potatoes and vegetables emit more N2O because fertilisers are typically applied later on to warmer soils. In potatoes, most emissions are from the furrows rather than the ridges because the furrows are likely to be wetter and more compacted. Where possible, use precision methods to apply fertiliser only to the ridges. Nitrification inhibitors can be used with ammonium-N fertilisers to reduce N2O emissions. They are most worthwhile on high-emission crops like vegetables and potatoes. Particularly in horticulture, applying N along with or closely followed by heavy irrigation leads to major losses. Use good irrigation practice at all times.
Key Facts
