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Highly productive crops can be more greenhouse gas efficient
Supplement: Nitrogen, March-April 2023 - 2023-02-19T09:00:00+11:00Nitrogen fertiliser is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the grains industry. Analysis has found that by improving nitrogen use efficiency, growers stand to increase yields and generate a 10 per cent reduction in the intensity of emissions – including emissions associated with fertiliser manufacture.
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Rewriting nitrogen fertiliser ‘rules of thumb’
Supplement: Nitrogen, March-April 2023 - 2023-02-18T09:00:00+11:00Commonly used rules of thumb, which advisers and growers use to make fertiliser decisions, are based on a nitrogen fertiliser uptake of around 50 per cent of that applied, but Victorian research undertaken in growers’ paddocks puts that figure at just 35 per cent.
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Protecting soil fertility is paramount for continuous cropping
Supplement: Nitrogen, March-April 2023 - 2023-02-17T09:00:00+11:00Soil organic matter, which is critical for healthy soils and sustainable agricultural production, is declining under continuous cropping. This means more fertiliser, especially nitrogen, and the best management practices are needed to protect soils and maintain grain production levels.
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Nitrogen’s value extends beyond yield
Supplement: Nitrogen, March-April 2023 - 2023-02-14T09:00:00+11:00The sufficiency approach means that nitrogen mined from soil organic matter is not replenished, causing a long-term decline in the soil nitrogen bank. Once organic matter is lost, it takes a long time to rebuild. However, there are three ways that growers can potentially improve soil organic matter and fertility.
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Nitrogen banking: a long-term approach to risk
Supplement: Nitrogen, March-April 2023 - 2023-02-12T09:00:00+11:00Nitrogen banking may provide a suitable long-term approach to calculating nitrogen requirements for cereal and canola crops. The banking approach is simpler and less time-consuming than seasonal risk-based approaches.
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Optimising nitrogen critical for success
Supplement: Nitrogen, March-April 2023 - 2023-02-11T09:00:00+11:00The burden of choice can rest heavily when making nitrogen fertiliser decisions, and the yield potential of many crops remains limited by nitrogen. GRDC is committed to improving nitrogen use efficiency to help growers improve production and profitability and reduce greenhouse emission intensity.