Ammonia loss potential and mitigation options in a wheat-maize rotation system in the North China Plain: A data synthesis and field evaluation

Summary

This paper combines quantitative synthesis of published data on ammonia losses with field evaluation of mitigation strategies in the wheat–maize rotation system prevalent in the North China Plain. The authors provide data-driven evidence on ammonia loss potential across conventional management and assess the performance of practical mitigation options under local agronomic conditions. The work addresses a significant environmental concern in intensive cereal systems where nitrogen fertiliser losses contribute to air pollution and undermine nutrient use efficiency.

UK applicability

Direct applicability to the UK is limited, as the North China Plain's climate, soil types, and wheat–maize rotation differ substantially from UK cereal systems. However, the methodological approach to quantifying and mitigating ammonia losses may be relevant to UK arable operations, where similar nitrogen management challenges exist in cereal monocultures and rotations.

Key measures

Ammonia volatilisation rates (likely as kg N ha⁻¹ or % of applied N); effectiveness of mitigation options under field conditions

Outcomes reported

The study synthesised data on ammonia volatilisation losses from wheat–maize rotations and evaluated field-tested mitigation strategies to reduce ammonia emissions. The research quantified ammonia loss potential across different management practices and assessed the effectiveness of proposed interventions.

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