In the battle against greenhouse gas emissions, carbon dioxide often steals the spotlight. However, a new discovery reveals that nitrous oxide, a gas even more potent than carbon dioxide, is a significant contributor emitted by tiny organisms thriving in farm fields. Scientists have long been on the hunt for a way to curb its release, and now there's promising news.
Researchers from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences have identified a naturally occurring bacteria, Cloacibacterium sp. CB-01, that can dramatically reduce nitrous oxide emissions without disrupting the delicate balance of soil microbes. Published in this week's Nature journal, the study showcases extensive lab and field trials where this bacteria slashed nitrous oxide levels by up to 94% following fertilizer application, with follow-up reductions of about half.
\"The avenue that we have opened here, it opens up for a number of new possibilities in bioengineering of the farmed soil,\" said Lars Bakken, a professor and lead author of the study.
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, warms the atmosphere 265 times more than a pound of carbon dioxide and can linger for over a century. Agricultural practices, particularly heavy use of nitrogen fertilizers, are major contributors, accounting for 6% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2022, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
While reducing fertilizer use could lower emissions, it poses a threat to crop yields, creating a significant challenge for sustainable agriculture.
By integrating Cloacibacterium sp. CB-01 into fertilizers—a process that farmers could adopt using existing manure-based fertilizer applications—the bacteria offers a cost-effective solution. The researchers used organic waste to cultivate the bacteria, ensuring it could thrive in soil while maintaining the essential microbial ecosystem.
Field trials employed roving robots to monitor nitrous oxide emissions around the clock, revealing that the bacteria effectively minimized emissions without harming other beneficial soil organisms.
Looking ahead, Bakken envisions the bacteria being incorporated into farm fertilizers within three to four years, provided economic factors align. \"The task for the authorities is to install policy instruments that make it profitable in one way or another,\" he emphasized.
Although more extensive field research across diverse soil types is necessary, experts believe this breakthrough marks a significant step forward in sustainable farming practices.
\"If they can get this to work across soils and things, it would just have a tremendous impact, for sure,\" said Lori Hoagland, a soil microbial ecology professor at Purdue University.
As the agricultural sector continues to seek innovative solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Cloacibacterium sp. CB-01 stands out as a promising tool in the quest for a more sustainable future.
Reference(s):
Researchers find organism that can reduce nitrous oxide in farms
cgtn.com
