Optimal soil phosphorus reduces fertiliser derived N2O emissions
从Teagasc已经表明,一个新的科学论文getting soil phosphorus (P) levels right through a fertiliser programme can significantly reduce emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas. The paper from researchers at the Teagasc Environment, Soils and Land-Use Department in Johnstown Castle, County Wexford has just been published in the scientific journal, Nature Scientific Reports.
It concludes that increasing soil phosphorus to the recommended level for grass productivity reduces fertiliser derived N2O emissions in intensively managed temperate grasslands.
Head of the Teagasc Environment Research Department, Dr Karl Richards said; “The paper shows that there are reduced N2O emissions from fertiliser applied to soils where they have the recommended agronomic optimum soil phosphorus levels. Farmers who improve soil fertility for agronomic benefits, can also reduce N2O emissions. This represents a win-win for the farmer and the environment.”
Optimal soil phosphorus is important for grass growth and also influences the soil microbiome. Senior Research Officer and Enterprise Leader at Teagasc Johnstown Castle, Dr David Wall stated that “Using an existing intensive grassland phosphorus fertiliser trial established in 1995, this research could investigate the effect of long-term phosphorus management on N2O emissions. This research is further evidence that maintaining long-term soil fertility will help to deliver on the sustainability objectives for the sector.”
Postdoctoral Researcher with Teagasc, Amanuel Gebremichael, outlined the main findings: “We found that a long-term increase in soil phosphorus from fertiliser significantly decreased N2O emissions from field plots. In addition, keeping the soil P at the optimum level has the potential to further reduce N2O emissions due to higher grass N uptake through increased yields. This means that the application of good farming practices has considerable N2O mitigation potential in temperate grasslands.”
The results showed that applying 45 kilograms of P per hectare per year increased soil test phosphorus from index 1 to index 3 and significantly reduced N2O emissions by 42%. The study highlights that achieving agronomic soil fertility targets can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and maintain agricultural production.
The full scientific paper can be viewed at:https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-06661-2
This paper from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine funded project ‘Manipulation and Integration of Nitrogen Emissions’ (MINE) and was carried out on the long term phosphorus trial at Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford.
Figure 1. Experimental plots with greenhouse gas measurement chambers in Teagasc Johnstown Castle Research Centre