Improved nitrogen efficiency across biophysical regions of the Eyre Peninsula

This project measured nitrous oxide (N2O) emission levels from wheat grown in rotation with canola, pulses and legume pastures in key biophysical regions of the Eyre Peninsula (EP); while assessing best management practices that local farmers can adopt to minimize N2O losses from the use of synthetic fertilizers through the use of cost effective alternative nitrogen (N) sources.

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a greenhouse gas (GHG) which lasts in the atmosphere for 121 years and has a global warming potential (GWP) 265 times that of carbon dioxide over a 100 year timescale (IPCC, 2014). Agriculture accounts for approximately 80% of Australia’s nitrous oxide emissions (Dalal et al., 2003) This is primarily a result of using nitrogen-based fertilisers on crops and pastures, and the mineralisation of soil organic matter, both leading to the accumulation of soil nitrate (NO3–) an important ingredient in N2O production. The N2O losses represent a loss of N from cropping soils which can reduce farmer profits and contribute to increasing GHG emissions and global warming and ozone depletion.