Reducing nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural soils

The NT Department of Resources has received funding under the Australian Government’s Action on the Ground initiative to trial and demonstrate practices and technologies that may be used to reduce Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions.



Nitrous oxide is a significant greenhouse gas 310 times more potent than carbon dioxide. The majority of human induced N₂O emissions come from agriculture, e.g. fertiliser.

Results from the trials could be used to develop a methodology to enable farmers to generate carbon credits. The project will:

-          Investigate and quantify carbon and nitrogen dynamics, losses and inefficiencies associated with current nitrogen management practices in hay, vegetable and melon crops;

-          Analyse abatement options to reduce N₂O emissions;

-          Demonstrate efficient nitrogen fertilisers (nitrogen sources with urease inhibitors). Note: The application of urease inhibitors with fertiliser is on the CFI’s Positive List i.e. the activity is generally seen to be additional to business-as-usual;

-          Demonstrate the use of cover cropping to “mop up” excess nitrogen post-cropping; and

-          Demonstrate “full stop” wetting front detectors to measure leaching and sap testing.