Effects of substituting synthetic nitrogen with organic amendments on crop yield, net greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint: A global meta-analysis

Summary

This 2023 global meta-analysis synthesises peer-reviewed data to evaluate the agronomic and climate consequences of replacing synthetic nitrogen fertilisers with organic amendments (such as compost, manure, or other organic inputs). The analysis likely quantifies yield penalties or gains and changes in net greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint across crop types and regional contexts, informing the trade-offs between reducing synthetic input use and maintaining productive capacity.

Regional applicability

The global scope provides broad applicability to United Kingdom arable systems, though UK-specific outcomes will depend on how well represented British cropping conditions and amendment types are in the underlying dataset. The findings should be interpreted with attention to UK soil types, climate, and the availability and cost-competitiveness of organic amendments locally.

Key measures

Crop yield, net greenhouse gas emissions, carbon footprint, substitution rate of synthetic nitrogen by organic amendments

Outcomes reported

The study synthesised global data comparing crop yields, net greenhouse gas emissions, and carbon footprint when organic amendments replace synthetic nitrogen fertilisers. It likely quantified trade-offs between agronomic performance and climate mitigation across diverse cropping systems.

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