Nitrogen stabilizers mitigate reactive N and greenhouse gas emissions from an arable soil in North China Plain: Field and laboratory investigation

Summary

This field and laboratory investigation examined the effectiveness of nitrogen stabilisers in reducing both reactive nitrogen losses and greenhouse gas emissions from arable soils in the North China Plain. The authors tested stabiliser products under controlled and field conditions to quantify their impact on ammonia volatilisation, nitrous oxide emissions, and other reactive nitrogen pathways. The findings suggest nitrogen stabilisers offer a mitigation strategy for simultaneously reducing environmental nitrogen pollution and climate forcing from intensive arable production.

UK applicability

Whilst the study was conducted in China's agro-climatic and soil conditions, the mechanisms and efficacy of nitrogen stabilisers are directly relevant to UK cereal farming, where synthetic nitrogen application and associated emissions represent significant environmental concerns. UK policy drivers (e.g. nitrogen fertiliser efficiency targets under CAP and water quality directives) make these findings potentially applicable to UK arable practice, although field validation under British conditions would strengthen evidence.

Key measures

Reactive nitrogen species (NOx, N2O, NH3 emissions); greenhouse gas emissions; soil nitrogen cycling; crop nitrogen uptake

Outcomes reported

The study investigated the efficacy of nitrogen stabilisers (likely nitrification inhibitors and/or urease inhibitors) in mitigating reactive nitrogen losses and greenhouse gas emissions from an arable soil in the North China Plain, using both field and laboratory experiments.

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