Optimizing Nitrogen Fertilizers Use to Combat Climate Change

Research from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences has uncovered a potential solution to mitigate the effects of climate change on maize yields and soil fertility. By combining manure with chemical fertilizers, farmers can improve crop productivity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and adapt to changing environmental conditions. The study's findings suggest that replacing 50% of nitrogen in conventional chemical fertilization practices with manure could be an optimal approach.

Key Takeaways:

• The study found that combining manure with chemical fertilizers can improve maize yields, soil fertility, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
• The use of manure can mitigate the decrease in maize yield and soil organic carbon (SOC) content under future climate scenarios compared to current practices.
• However, increased manure use can promote nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in all climate scenarios.
• The recommended approach is to replace 50% of the nitrogen in farmers' conventional chemical fertilization practices with manure (RFP0.5) as the optimal approach.
• This approach is a "perfect balance" that effectively mitigates maize yields and SOC loss in response to future climate change while also addressing greenhouse gas emissions.

Statistics:

• The study used long-term field experimental data and the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM) model to evaluate the impact of combining manure with chemical fertilizers.
• Four future climate scenarios (SSP126, SSP245, SSP370, and SSP585) based on Global Climate Models (GCMs) were used to assess the effects of climate change on maize yields and SOC content.
• The study found that climate change will reduce the maize yield and SOC content compared to the preceding decade.
• Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions will increase with the use of manure in all climate scenarios.

Sources:

• Climate Proofing Maize Through Optimizing Manure Fertilization. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2025; 512.
• Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
• National Key Research & Development Program of China.
• National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).
• Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
• Postdoctoral International Exchange Program of China Postdoc Council.
• Central Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund.
• China Scholarship Council.