18th Congress of the European Society for Agronomy

Uncertainty of wheat carbon footprints – the role of N2O estimation method

Not scheduled

15m

Les Dortoirs (1st floor) (The Couvent des Jacobins)

Poster Synergies between researchers, society and farmers Poster session #2

Speaker

Mr Donghui Ma (Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) – Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Strategies and Technology Assessment)

Description

Abstract
Introduction:
This study evaluates the variability in the carbon footprint of winter wheat production in Germany, with a focus on nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. It aims to identify significant contributors to emissions variability and suggest improvements in estimation methods.
Materials and Methods:
Employing "Value for Cultivation and Use" trials, we analyzed the impacts of different nitrogen fertilizers, crop protection energy requirements, fuel usage, and N2O estimation methods. Monte Carlo simulations were utilized to address uncertainties in greenhouse gas emission data and estimation techniques.
Results:
Our findings reveal that N2O emissions, significantly influenced by the choice of estimation method (Figure 1), can alter the carbon footprint calculations by up to 60%. The type of nitrogen fertilizer and the energy for crop protection also substantially affect emissions, leading to a broad range of carbon footprint outcomes.

Figure 1 N2O emissions (kg h-1) calculated using three methods in relation to yield (mt h-1) and N input (kg h-1).
Discussion:
The variability in N2O emissions underscores the urgent need for accurate and standardized estimation methods in agricultural assessments. This research advocates for enhanced collaborative efforts to refine lifecycle assessment methodologies and adopt more reliable techniques. By improving N2O emission estimates, we can advance sustainable agricultural practices and effective climate change mitigation.