BNIPASTURES

Project Title: BNIPASTURES: Reducing nitrous oxide emissions from ruminant systems through accelerating nitrification inhibition in ryegrass and plantain mixed pastures.

From 2024 To 2028

Summary: This joint study focuses on accelerating the potential of Biological Nitrification Inhibition (BNI) capacity in temperate grassland species, particularly in perennial ryegrass and plantain, to reduce nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from ruminant systems. It involves identifying sources of BNI activity in ryegrass through screening the perennial ryegrass genetic resource collection and developing screening tools for introducing BNI capacity into ryegrass cultivars. The N2O emission results will be used alongside existing Irish and NZ data and analysed in a process-based model to refine Irish and New Zealand N2O emission factors and the nitrate leaching and ammonia volatilisation fractions of urine, based on key driving variables. The study will help accelerate the potential of BNI in temperate grasslands to reduce N2O emissions, offering opportunities for sustainable, non chemical, plant-based practices to reduce GHG emissions from ruminant systems in Ireland and New Zealand.

Funding Agency: DAFM

Programme: 2023 IE-NZ Joint Call

Principal Investigator: Trevor Hodkinson

Collaborators: Susanne Barth, Stephen Byrne

PhD student: Natalie, Wai Lok Chow