Research project Integrated mitigation of ammonia field emissions from Flemish agriculture focused on fertilization strategies, soil management and manure quality

General introduction

What options are available to farmers to minimize ammonia emissions on their fields without shifting the problem to leaching and without increasing nitrous oxide emissions? This question is the focus of the A-MOVE research project. One third of all agriculture-related ammonia emissions come from the use of manure or fertilizer on fields and grasslands. However, Flanders lacks knowledge of the underlying mechanisms, as well as research into workable measures to reduce these emissions.

Research approach

First, we map the expected ammonia emissions for different soil types when applying livestock manure or fertilizer. Then, through field experiments, the mitigation potential of different management and fertilization practices is investigated. The main focus is on soil management and manure quality.

Relevance/Valorization

Reducing ammonia emissions while keeping the farm economically viable is a considerable challenge for farmers. The A-MOVE project helps to quantify the precise share of field emissions within the agricultural sector. More importantly, the farmer will gain knowledge about the ways to effectively reduce or avoid ammonia field emissions, without causing undesirable side effects to the environment or climate. Offering mitigation options for that reduction will help to achieve emission reduction targets in the agricultural sector.

Financing

VLAIO