Nitrous Oxide
Current research programme
The current focus of the NZAGRC’s nitrous oxide (N2O) research programme is on measuring the effects pasture plants and pasture plant communities have on nitrous oxide emissions.
This work is closely aligned to the MBIE P21 and Forages for Nitrate Leaching programmes (FRNL). In addition, an investigative project on a technology to locate and treat urine patches was completed in 2015/16.
Learn more about:
Principal investigators
Dr Cecile de Klein, AgResearch
Professor Hong Di, Lincoln University
Research Stories
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Learn Profile - Adriano Nascente
28/06/19
LEARN Research Aims to Give Farmers Options for GHG Reductions Visiting Brazilian research scientist Dr Adriano Nascente is currently working on a project to help give farmers options for management practices that will reduce nitrous oxide...
Capability Building - Camilla Gardiner
02/05/19
Plantain Study Holds Potential for Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Camilla has just finished her PhD project which studied nitrogen compounds and plant metabolites in cow urine and identified those which might minimise nitrous oxide emissions. In...
Capability building - Dr William Talbot
18/02/19
William Targets Career in Scientific Research Support from the NZAGRC is helping William Talbot on his pathway to becoming a research scientist and continuing to help find ways of economically reducing the environmental impacts of farming....
Capability building - Anne Wecking
11/02/19
Anne’s Fascination with Science Now Focusses on Nitrous Oxide (N2O) Fascination with the outdoors – a trait instilled by her grandfather – is still with Anne Wecking today, and is still driving her onwards in her work with soil...
Principal Investigator - Dr Cecile de Klein
29/01/19
Cecile’s Journey from the Sports Field to the Kiwi Farm Paddock Dr Cecile De Klein was captain of the Dutch women’s rugby team in the 1991 Women’s World Cup. Away from the sports field, her career path led her to become an...
Determining levels of soil carbon storage
22/11/18
An experiment was designed and conducted using a novel 13C stable isotope method to determine how the stabilisation capacity and saturation deficit of different soils affects their ability to store more carbon. Research was also completed...
Impact of importing feed
22/11/18
Parallel work at a nearby farm calculated carbon balances for three years for a farm with very high feed imports (about 12 tonnes dry matter or 5.3 tonnes of carbon per hectare, per year). The majority of the imported feed was converted back to...
Investigating plantain properties
22/11/18
An animal feeding trial conducted in association with the Forages for Reduced Nitrate Leaching programme, investigating the ability of plantain to modify nitrogen processes in animals and soils, was a major focus this year. The aim was to assess...
Irrigation effects modelled
22/11/18
The CenW model developed for Waikato farms was compared against three years of eddy-covariance data from an irrigated grazed pasture in the Canterbury region. CenW was used to compare three irrigation management scenarios: no irrigation (dairy...
Positive results for novel nitrous oxide inhibitors
22/11/18
An initial study to determine the impact of a novel inhibitor was conducted in 2017/18. After 36 days urine from treated animals had 50% lower nitrous oxide emissions than untreated animals. This work will be expanded in 2018/19.
Capability building: Dr Sam McNally
01/11/18
Raised on a beef farm and then a kiwifruit orchard, Sam McNally enjoyed science right from primary school and had a couple of great teachers at Te Puke High School which enhanced his interest in science. “Having grown up on farm/orchard I...
Assessing the impact of non-urea ruminant urine nitrogen compounds on urine patch nitrous oxide emissions
21/06/18
Gardiner, C. A., Clough, T. J., Cameron, K. C., Di, H. J., Edwards, G. R., & de Klein, C. A. M. (2018). Assessing the impact of non-urea ruminant urine nitrogen compounds on urine patch nitrous oxide emissions. Journal of Environmental...
Video: Watching CO2 exchange and maize growth
17/01/18
A short time-lapse video of maize growing and the measured cumulative CO2-C exchange from eddy covariance. Down is a loss and up is a gain. There are initial C losses before maize growth is established and then gains as the maize grows. The net C...
Potential inhibition of urine patch nitrous oxide emissions by Plantago lanceolata and its metabolite aucubin
12/12/17
Gardiner, C. A., Clough, T. J., Cameron, K. C., Di, H. J., Edwards, G. R., & de Klein, C. A. M. (2017). Potential inhibition of urine patch nitrous oxide emissions by Plantago lanceolata and its metabolite aucubin. [Article in Press]. New...
QCL
28/09/17
Paddock N2O Try Quantum Cascade Laser It’s a game changer
Anne Wecking
22/09/17
The opportunity to work with the Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) made it an easy decision for German PhD student Anne Wecking to move to the other side of the world. “It’s a privilege to work with a piece of technology like this—the...
Laser has bright future in nitrous oxide emissions measurement
21/09/17
A modest-looking metal box sitting in a Waikato paddock may seem unassuming at first glance, but what’s on the inside has the potential to transform the way greenhouse gas emissions are measured. The box contains state-of-the art technology...
Spikey receives prestigious environmental sustainability award
03/09/17
Spikey, a New Zealand innovation that is supported by the NZAGRC and the Global Research Alliance (GRA), has recently been awarded a prestigious environmental sustainability award by the professional body for engineers, IPENZ....
Using alternative forage species to reduce emissions of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide from cattle urine deposited onto soil
30/08/17
Luo, J., Balvert, S. F., Wise, B., Welten, B., Ledgard, S. F., de Klein, C. A. M, Lindsey, S., Judge, A. (2018). Using alternative forage species to reduce emissions of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide from cattle urine deposited onto soil....
What about biochar?
01/08/17
There is good evidence that biochar (organic matter carbonised under controlled conditions) represents a very stable form of carbon, so it could be used to store more carbon in soils. Research has indicated that specific biochars could also help...
Mitigating nitrous oxide and manure-derived methane emissions by removing cows in response to wet soil conditions
26/06/17
T.J. van der Weerden, S. Laurenson, I. Vogeler, P.C. Beukes, S.M. Thomas, R.M. Rees, C.F.E. Topp, G. Lanigan, C.A.M. de Klein, Mitigating nitrous oxide and manure-derived methane emissions by removing cows in response to wet soil conditions,...
Modelling NH3 volatilisation within a urine patch using NZ-DNDC
25/05/17
Giltrap, D., S. Saggar, et al. (2017). "Modelling NH3 volatilisation within a urine patch using NZ-DNDC." Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 108(3): 267-277. Abstract Urea concentrations in urine patches deposited during animal grazing can be...
Dr Cecile de Klein: Principal Investigator
16/05/17
Cecile is an internationally recognised expert on nitrous oxide emissions from soils. Born and educated in The Netherlands, she came to New Zealand in 1995 following a postdoc in Cambridge, UK. As Principal Investigator of the NZAGRC she co-leads,...
Progress with nitrous oxide technologies in New Zealand
11/05/17
At the recent NZ agricultural greenhous gas mitigation conference, Dr Cecile de Klein presented an overview of the latest progress with nitrous oxide technology developments. Read more about her presentation
Greenhouse gas awareness of livestock's contribution to emissions rises among farmers
29/03/17
More farmers are aware of the impact of livestock on global warming, says an agricultural greenhouse research expert. New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre director Dr Harry Clark said farmer awareness of their...
Nitrous oxide emissions from cattle urine deposited onto soil supporting a winter forage kale crop
11/01/17
van der Weerden, T. J., T. M. Styles, et al. (2017). "Nitrous oxide emissions from cattle urine deposited onto soil supporting a winter forage kale crop." New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 60(2): 119-130. AbstractWintering cows on...
Report: Desk-top review of GHG components of OVERSEER
15/11/16
Report prepared for the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre August 2015 Read more
PhD opportunity: University of Waikato
08/11/16
NOT LONGER AVAILABLE PhD in Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Grazed Pastures University of Waikato, New Zealand We have an opening for a PhD candidate to make measurements of nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide fluxes from grazed pastures...
NZAGRC welcomes PCE report on agricultural GHG mitigation
19/10/16
Wednesday, 19 October 2016 The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s report into greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture highlights the need for a suite of mitigation solutions rather than a single silver bullet....
How much could DCD help reduce emissions?
31/08/16
Nitrification inhibitors slow the conversion of ammonium (NH4+), deposited into the soil in the form of urine, to nitrate (NO3), which leaches into waterways. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is released into the atmosphere as part of this process. DCD...
Why do we need to measure?
31/08/16
Agriculture produces greenhouse gas emissions in a number of ways: direct emissions by livestock, emissions from the production of livestock feed, energy use in fertiliser manufacture, farm operations such as milking, refrigeration and housing,...
Establishment of Aporrectodea longa and measurement of dung carbon incorporation in soils under permanent pasture
20/07/16
Schon, N. L., A. D. Mackay, et al. (2016). "Establishment of Aporrectodea longa and measurement of dung carbon incorporation in soils under permanent pasture." European Journal of Soil Biology 75: 174-179. Earthworm populations often have a large...
Potential for forage diet manipulation in New Zealand pasture ecosystems to mitigate ruminant urine derived N2O emissions: a review
01/07/16
Gardiner, C. A., T. J. Clough, et al. (2016). "Potential for forage diet manipulation in New Zealand pasture ecosystems to mitigate ruminant urine derived N2O emissions: a review." New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 59(3): 301-317....
The potential of using alternative pastures, forage crops and gibberellic acid to mitigate nitrous oxide emissions
21/05/16
Di, H. J., Cameron, K. C., Podolyan, A., Edwards, G. R., de Klein, C. A. M., Dynes, R., & Woods, R. (2016). The potential of using alternative pastures, forage crops and gibberellic acid to mitigate nitrous oxide emissions. [Article]. Journal...
Nitrous oxide emission factors for urine from sheep and cattle fed forage rape (Brassica napus L.) or perennial ryegrass/white clover pasture (Lolium perenne L./Trifolium repens)
12/05/16
C.J. Hoogendoorn, J. Luo, C.M. Lloyd-West, B.P. Devantier, S.B. Lindsey, S. Sun, D. Pacheco, Y. Li, P.W. Theobald, A. Judge, Nitrous oxide emission factors for urine from sheep and cattle fed forage rape ( L.) or perennial ryegrass/white clover...
Potential for forage diet manipulation in New Zealand pasture ecosystems to mitigate ruminant urine derived N2O emissions: a review
10/05/16
Gardiner, C. A., T. J. Clough, et al. (2016). "Potential for forage diet manipulation in New Zealand pasture ecosystems to mitigate ruminant urine derived N2O emissions: a review." New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 59(3): 301-317....
Camilla Gardiner
24/03/16
Camilla Gardiner moved to Canterbury from the USA at the end of July 2015. Originally from Seattle, Camilla has had a passion for agriculture since high school. "I spent a term at a farm school in rural Vermont in my third year of high...
Sheree Balvert
24/03/16
Providing funding to students and early career scientists to increase capability in the agricultural greenhouse gas emissions mitigation research area and boost international collaboration is a key activity for the NZAGRC. The NZAGRC nitrous...
Pasture technology company receives greenhouse gas funding
21/03/16
Pastoral Robotics Ltd, founded by Aucklanders Geoff Bates and Bert Quin, has received a grant from the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Council (NZAGRC) to help optimisation and on-farm testing of its full-size ‘Spikey’...
KuDos to Jiafa Luo of AgResearch
24/11/15
"Humbled and surprised” is how AgResearch Senior Scientist and NZAGRC Project Leader Dr Jiafa Luo describes his reaction to hearing his name read out as the winner of the Gallagher Agricultural Science Award at this year’s...
Reducing New Zealand's Agricultural Emissions: Gibberellins
18/11/15
This publication provides an overview of the impact of gibberellins on grazed grasslands and the potential for gibberellins to mitigate farm nitrous oxide emissions.
Does gibberellin biosynthesis play a critical role in the growth of Lolium perenne? Evidence from a transcriptional analysis of gibberellin and carbohydrate metabolic genes after defoliation
03/11/15
Liu, Q., C. S. Jones, et al. (2015). "Does gibberellin biosynthesis play a critical role in the growth of Lolium perenne? Evidence from a transcriptional analysis of gibberellin and carbohydrate metabolic genes after defoliation." Frontiers in...
Wide variation in nitrification activity in soil associated with different forage plant cultivars and genotypes
01/06/15
Bowatte, S., Newton, P. C. D., Hoogendoorn, C. J., Hume, D. E., Stewart, A. V., Brock, S. C. and Theobald, P. W. (2016), Wide variation in nitrification activity in soil associated with different forage plant cultivars and genotypes. Grass Forage...
1430 Cecile de Klein, Principal Scientist (AgResearch)
07/05/15
Cecile provided an overview of the nitrous oxide research being conducted in New Zealand, with a focus on plant and animal interventions. Cecile reminded the audience that animal urine is by far the largest source of nitrogen in the New...
1550 Keith Goulding (Rothamsted Research, UK)
07/05/15
Keith provided an international perspective on nitrous oxide and soil carbon research. With respect to N2O, he highlighted work on investigating the genes related to nitrous oxide emissions and noted that there is one clear...
Application of gibberellins to increase productivity and reduce nitrous oxide emissions in grazed grassland: a review of the evidence
01/04/15
David Whitehead, Grant R. Edwards, Assessment of the application of gibberellins to increase productivity and reduce nitrous oxide emissions in grazed grassland, Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, Volume 207, 1 September 2015, Pages 40-50,...
Introducing Dr Jha
12/03/15
The NZAGRC would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Dr Neha Jha on recently completing her PhD and thank her for her contribution to date to the NZAGRC's nitrous oxide research programme. Neha's PhD study involved steep learning...
NZAGRC nitrous oxide programme focussing on the bigger picture
12/03/15
It's been said that in order to see the whole picture, you need to step out of the frame. That's the approach that the Principal Investigators of the NZAGRC nitrous oxide (N2O) programme and their team took whilst planning the work out...
Biogeography and biophysicochemical traits link N2O emissions, N2O emission potential and microbial communities across New Zealand pasture soils
08/01/15
Sergio E. Morales, Neha Jha, Surinder Saggar, Biogeography and biophysicochemical traits link NO emissions, NO emission potential and microbial communities across New Zealand pasture soils, Soil Biology and Biochemistry, Volume 82, 2015, Pages...
The search for plant species to reduce nitrous oxide emissions
24/10/14
Could plants be used to reduce nitrification rates in soils and hence reduce nitrate leaching and emissions of nitrous oxide? Results of screening experiments conducted by Dr Saman Bowatte and his team at AgResearch Grasslands campus in...
Bacteria on leaves: a previously unrecognised source of N2O in grazed pastures
11/07/14
Bowatte, S., P. C. D. Newton, et al. (2015). "Bacteria on leaves: a previously unrecognised source of N2O in grazed pastures." ISME J 9(1): 265-267. Abstract Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from grazed pastures are a product of microbial...
Agricultural nitous oxide is no laughing matter
01/08/12
Release Newsletter - August 2012 Release007_page4 (2.11MB)
Can we decrease N2O emissions by manipulating denitrification?
01/08/12
Release Newsletter - August 2012 Release007_page8 (1.04MB)
Important impacts for NZ inventory from urine concentration study
01/08/12
Release Newsletter - August 2012 Release007_page5 (0.59MB)
Investigating the role of plants in N2O emissions
01/08/12
Release Newsletter - August 2012 Release007_page7 (0.95MB)
Novel grass species with high dry matter production and low N content a possibility
01/08/12
Release Newsletter - August 2012 Release007_page6 (1.46MB)
Can we improve interpolation of N2O emission measurements by using environmental factors?
01/07/12
Chiba, M.K., Cichota, R., Vogeler, I. (2012). Can we improve interpolation of N2O emission measurements by using environmental factors? In: Advanced Nutrient Management: Gains from the Past - Goals for the Future. (Eds L.D. Currie and C L....
Changes in denitrification rate and N2O/N2 ratio with varying soil moisture conditions in New Zealand pasture soils
01/07/12
Jha, N., Saggar, S., Tillman, R., & Giltrap, D. (2012). Changes in denitrification rate and N2O/N2 ratio with varying soil moisture conditions in New Zealand pasture soils In: Advanced Nutrient Management: Gains from the Past - Goals for...
Estimating nitrous oxide emissions from a diary farm using a mechanistic, whole farm model and segregated emission factors for New Zealand
12/05/12
Vogeler, I., Beukes, P., Romera, A. & Cichota, R. (2012). Estimating nitrous oxide emissions from a diary farm using a mechanistic, whole farm model and segregated emission factors for New Zealand. Soil Research 50 (3) 188-194 Abstract...
Influence of pore size distribution and soil water content on nitrous oxide emissions
28/03/12
van der Weerden, T. J., F. M. Kelliher, et al. (2012). "Influence of pore size distribution and soil water content on nitrous oxide emissions." Soil Research 50(2): 125-135. Abstract Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from agricultural soils have been...
Effects of trampling of a wet dairy pasture soil on soil porosity and on mitigation of nitrous oxide emissions by a nitrification inhibitor, dicyandiamide
08/03/12
Ball, B.C., Cameron, K.C., Di, H.J. and Moore, S. (2012). Effects of trampling of a wet dairy pasture soil on soil porosity and on mitigation of nitrous oxide emissions by a nitrification inhibitor, dicyandiamide. Soil Use and Management....
Manipulating nitrous oxide
01/02/12
Release Newsletter - February 2012 Manipulating Nitrous Oxide producing processes (0.44MB)
New centre at Lincoln University gets the measure of greenhouse gas emissions
01/08/11
Release Newsletter - August 2011 New Centre at Lincoln University (1.24MB)
Nitrification inhibitors - a win/win technology
01/12/10
Release Newsletter - December 2010 Nitrification Inhibitors (0.83MB)
