Alberta (Rural Roots Canada) — A national research effort is aiming to cut nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from nitrogen fertilizer, a major source of greenhouse gases in Canadian agriculture.
The Canadian Nitrous Oxide Network (canN2Onet) is a collaborative 4-year research project led by N2O experts from six universities, one college, and one polytechnic. These institutions include Lethbridge Polytechnic, Olds College, the University of Saskatchewan, the University of B.C., and the University of Guelph. The University of Guelph is the research lead for the nitrogen fertilizer project.
This research project was established in 2024 by Guelph professor Claudia Wagner-Riddle and was federally funded with $7.9 million from the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
The network also includes 12 partners from industry, government and producer organizations. The group aims to improve N2O emission reduction practices, develop strategies to guide decision-making toward net-zero goals and increase understanding within the agricultural community.
Nitrogen fertilizer application to soil creates N2O emissions, accounting for 30 per cent of Canada’s agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. The canN2Onet team says reducing emissions through improved fertilizer practices is a key to lowering the overall carbon footprint of the agricultural supply chain.
The national study includes seven different sites and takes a full-field approach. Researchers are measuring emissions, evapotranspiration and crop water use using flux towers. Most recently, at other sites, they are evaluating practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from dairy farming.
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Lethbridge Polytechnic Senior Research Chair Dr. Willemijn Appels says this study is really about making a consistent inventory of best management practices throughout Canada.
Appels says researchers are exploring a range of strategies beyond simply reducing fertilizer use, focusing on approaches that are practical for farmers given the current economic conditions within agriculture in Canada.
“It is more efficient to change how we use farm machinery to keep productivity going and to make sure that we use our land and water resources in the best way possible for agricultural production,” Appels said.
Another project goal that canN2Onet wants to achieve is properly equipping future trainees. They aim to do this by connecting students with real-world farming conditions and creating an understanding of farm-level realities. Its annual greenhouse gas school offers university students hands-on training in greenhouse gas measurements, farm visits and exposure to regional differences in agriculture.
For more information, go to www.cann2onet.org.
