NUE Technology and Global Warming

Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) crops use significantly less nitrogen fertilizer—up to two-thirds less than conventional varieties—without sacrificing yield. NUE technology has been demonstrated in multiple key crops, and development work is planned in major crops, including canola, rice, wheat, corn, cotton, sugar beets and sugarcane.

Since nitrogen fertilizer is a major source of agricultural GHGs, NUE technology benefits the environment. By applying less nitrogen fertilizer to crops, the amount of nitrogen that volatizes in the form of N2O is reduced. As N2O has a very high global warming potential, reducing the amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied to soil can have a significant impact on agriculture's contribution to climate change.

The reduced need for nitrogen by NUE plants also means less nitrogen entering and contaminating ground and surface water. One of the most visible examples of the harmful environmental effects of nitrogen fertilizers is the creation of "dead zones" in the world's oceans. Dead zones result from the decomposition of massive algae blooms that are fed by excessive nutrient runoff and can impact water quality for human consumption and fishing economies that depend on marine life.

NUE technology also benefits farmers, since nitrogen fertilizer costs represent a significant portion of crop growing costs. Lowered requirements for nitrogen fertilizer means more profit for farmers. High energy prices mean high nitrogen fertilizer costs. Thus, growers have a powerful incentive to use NUE technology because it makes economic sense for them to do so.

Did You Know?

If all cereal crops (e.g. rice, wheat and corn) used Nitrogen Use Efficiency technology, it would be equivalent to eliminating the greenhouse gases from 280 million automobiles — the same number of cars in the US, UK and Germany combined.*

* Cool Farming, Climate Impacts of Agriculture and Mitigation Potential, Greenpeace, 2008

Fast Facts

1. Agriculture is the 2nd largest industrial source of global GHGs.

2. Nitrogen fertilizer accounts for 1/3 of GHG emissions from agriculture.

3. GHG emissions from global rice production are equal to GHG emissions from about 18 million average US cars.