Lower N2O emissions from UK arable crop products
The results of a major UK research project show emissions on UK arable land to be less than half the level previously estimated. The five-year “Minimising Nitrous Oxide” project was conducted through a consortium of 23 government, academic, farming and commercial partners with interests in the future sustainability of the food, feed and fuel supply chain.
Nitrous oxide emissions during the arable crop production for food, feed and biomass for industry and energy play a significant role in the overall greenhouse gas emission along the value chains “from cradle to grave”. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is an important greenhouse gas (GHG), contributing 41% of agriculture’s GHG emissions.
Following three-year field-based experiments researchers used models to estimate a national picture of emissions due to UK arable crops and their products. Of 24 field experiments conducted in widely contrasting rainfall, soil and crop conditions, 21 showed direct N2O emissions due to fertilizer nitrogen to be less than the 1% default emission factor (EF) assumed by the IPCC.