AgResearch
Nitrous oxide, N2O or commonly known as laughing gas, is produced when excrement from animals is broken down by bacteria in the soil. Once the nitrous oxide is lost to the atmosphere, very little of it is able to be recovered by bacteria and returned to the soil. It is a greenhouse gas and is estimated to be about 300 times worse for global warming than carbon dioxide.
Jiafa’s research involves improving nitrogen use efficiency and reducing nitrous oxide losses from grazing pastoral systems. By being more efficient with the way we use nitrogen, we will reduce the amount of nitrogen farms lose to the atmosphere and reduce the amount spent on fertilizers.
Dr. Jiafa Luo,
AgResearch
Gallagher Agricultural Science Award
Nitrous oxide, N2O or commonly known as laughing gas, is produced when excrement from animals is broken down by bacteria in the soil. Once the nitrous oxide is lost to the atmosphere, very little of it is able to be recovered by bacteria and returned to the soil. It is a greenhouse gas and is estimated to be about 300 times worse for global warming than carbon dioxide.
Jiafa’s research involves improving nitrogen use efficiency and reducing nitrous oxide losses from grazing pastoral systems. By being more efficient with the way we use nitrogen, we will reduce the amount of nitrogen farms lose to the atmosphere and reduce the amount spent on fertilizers.