Reactive nitrogen emissions from agricultural operations

Authors: Rotz, Clarence - Al; Leytem, April

Submitted to: PeerJ
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/9/2015
Publication Date: 9/2/2015
Citation: Rotz, C.A., Leytem, A.B. 2015. Reactive nitrogen emissions from agricultural operations. EM Magazine (September):12-16.

Interpretive Summary: Reactive nitrogen is essential to the growth of plants and animals and is typically the most limiting nutrient in agricultural production. While reactive nitrogen in the form of fertilizer has enabled the growing global population to maintain food production, the inefficient and sometimes excessive use of fertilizers and manure has also contributed to degradation of air, water, and soil quality. Nitrogen transforms and is lost through many pathways as it cycles through agricultural operations, and the amount and form of loss varies widely dependent upon the climate, soil characteristics and management practices. Mitigation of reactive nitrogen emissions often increases the costs of production so more economical methods are needed or strategies must be implemented to help cover the increased costs to maintain sustainable production systems.

Technical Abstract: Reactive nitrogen is essential to the growth of plants and animals and is typically the most limiting nutrient in agricultural production. While reactive nitrogen in fertilizer has enabled the growing global population to maintain food production, the inefficient and sometimes excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers has also contributed to degradation of air, water, and soil quality. Estimates of the conversion of reactive nitrogen used in food production to that actually consumed by humans ranges from 10 to 20% with greater than 50% of the nitrogen fertilizer applied to cropland lost to downstream and downwind habitats. Nitrogen transforms and is lost through many pathways as it cycles through agricultural operations. The primary forms of loss are ammonia, nitrate, nitrous oxide and nitrogen oxides. The amount and form of loss from farming systems varies widely dependent upon the climate, soil characteristics and management practices. Reactive nitrogen losses cannot be eliminated, but strategies and technologies are available for reducing these losses and other alternatives can be developed. Mitigation of reactive nitrogen emissions often increases the cost of production so more economical methods are needed or strategies must be implemented to help cover the increased costs to maintain sustainable production systems.