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Research: Adding manure to soil locks-in N and cuts emissions

The importance of regular soil testing cannot be over emphasised

Emissions from soil of the potent greenhouse gas (GHG) nitrous oxide (N2O) can be drastically reduced by adding carbon-rich manure, new research shows.

Doing so essentially ‘locks-in’ nitrogen (N) as it is no longer turned into as much N20 gas by microbes such as fungi and bacteria.

N2O is roughly 300 times more potent that carbon dioxide (CO2) as a GHG, and fertilised soils are its major source.

The gas also contributes to ozone depletion, and human-induced emissions of the gas have increased worldwide by 30% over the last 40 years – mainly through an increased use of chemical fertilisers.

Read more: https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/research-adding-manure-to-soil-locks-in-n-and-cuts-emissions/