en.Wedoany.com Reported - A field trial led by the University of Western Australia has shown that partially replacing synthetic nitrogen fertilizer with low amounts of organic fertilizer can maintain crop yields while improving soil quality and nutrient efficiency. The two-year study, focusing on a winter wheat-summer maize rotation, examined the effects of different combinations of nitrogen application rates and organic fertilizer additions. The findings were published in the journal Land Degradation & Development.
The researchers found that reducing synthetic nitrogen fertilizer by up to 45% and partially substituting it with organic inputs improved soil quality, crop productivity, nitrogen uptake, and nutrient cycling, without increasing nitrous oxide emissions. Notably, low rates of organic amendments outperformed high rates, achieving more efficient nitrogen use while maintaining agricultural productivity.
Professor Kadambot Siddique, Director of the UWA Institute of Agriculture, stated that reducing synthetic nitrogen fertilizer by less than 45% and combining it with organic fertilizer can sustain productivity without increasing emissions. This finding comes amid ongoing volatility in the fertilizer market—approximately 60% of global urea trade passes through the Strait of Hormuz, making supply susceptible to geopolitical disruptions and price fluctuations. The researchers noted that optimizing the ratio between organic and synthetic nitrogen can help reduce agricultural emissions while enhancing the resilience of agricultural systems to rising input costs.
The study was led by Professor Kadambot Siddique from the UWA Institute of Agriculture, with first author Li Ma and research partners from China. The related paper was published in Land Degradation & Development (2025), DOI: 10.1002/ldr.70282.
This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com
