Key Points:
- Nitrous Oxide (N²O) is a significant greenhouse gas because of its longevity and potency. Emissions of this gas cause serious environmental damage.
- 96% of NZ’s (N²O) emissions come from direct or indirect emissions from the soil. Loss of N from the farm through emissions is a cost to the business, inputs are wasted and yield may be reduced.
- Microbial nitrification and denitrification processes in the soil, convert inorganic and organic N into N²O which is lost to the atmosphere. These processes are influenced by the soil conditions and the weather.
- Farmers can influence N²O emissions by managing the physical condition of their soils and matching fertiliser applications to the crop demand and the environmental conditions. Anaerobic soil conditions cause large N²O emissions. Management practices that improve drainage to prevent an anaerobic soil environment are beneficial.
- Good practice irrigation management reduces the likelihood of emissions by preventing over saturation of the soil and run-off.