« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
REVIEW OF THE SCOTTISH CLIMATE CHANGE PROGRAMME: A CONSULTATION
ANNEX F
SUMMARY OF 'SCOTTISH AGRICULTURE AND GLOBAL CHANGE - NITROUS OXIDE EMISSIONS FROM FERTILISER USE' RESEARCH REPORT
Research Report:
Scottish Agriculture and Global Change - Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Fertiliser Use
(funded by the Scottish Executive Agricultural & Biological Research Group and conducted by the Universities of Aberdeen and Edinburgh). The report is available on the Scottish Executive Website at www.scotland.gov.uk/climatechange
Key findings:
The research concluded that current estimates of nitrous oxide emissions from fertiliser use in Scotland could be underestimated by as much as 57%. Direct emissions from fertiliser use are estimated to be greatest in south-west Scotland due to land use and climatic factors.
Key Recommendations:
Farmers should:
- Take into account the environmental conditions and crop requirements when selecting the type, amount and timings of the fertiliser;
- Minimise use of nitrate-containing synthetic nitrogen fertilisers in wet soil conditions;
- Install or restore land drainage systems;
- Incorporate nitrification inhibitors into ammonium-nitrogen or urea-nitrogen fertilisers;
- Feed livestock partly on cereal silage instead of grass silage;
- Plough grass leys in winter or spring rather than in summer.
« Previous | Contents | Next »