Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

How does deep-band fertilizer placement reduce N2O emissions and increase maize yields?

Peng Wu, Guangzhou Chen, Fu Liu, Tommaso Cai, Peng Zhang, Zhikuan Jia

Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment · 2021

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Summary

This field study investigates deep-band nitrogen fertiliser placement as a mitigation strategy for reducing N₂O emissions whilst maintaining or improving maize yields. The work appears to demonstrate that altering fertiliser application depth and method can simultaneously lower nitrous oxide losses and sustain or enhance crop productivity, with potential implications for farm-scale emissions reduction in cereal systems.

UK applicability

The findings may have relevance to UK maize production in southern regions, particularly regarding nitrogen management practices on mineral soils. However, differences in climate, soil types, management systems and regulatory nitrogen limits between China and the UK require careful adaptation before recommendation for widespread adoption.

Key measures

N₂O emissions (likely measured as cumulative flux or seasonal totals), maize grain yield, and associated agronomic parameters under different fertiliser placement depths and methods

Outcomes reported

The study examined how deep-band placement of nitrogen fertiliser affects nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions and maize grain yield under field conditions. The research measured both greenhouse gas flux and agronomic performance to assess the trade-offs between emission reduction and crop productivity.

Theme
Climate & resilience
Subject
Soil fertility & nutrient management
Study type
Research
Study design
Field trial
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
China
System type
Arable cereals
DOI
10.1016/j.agee.2021.107672
Catalogue ID
SNmoht1rns-vb5ydj

Topic tags

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