Researchers Discover Key To Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Agriculture   

• In a study published in the scientific journal Nature, researchers have introduced a novel approach to addressing the environmental impact of agriculture ? using a type of bacteria that can consume nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide is 265 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide and can remain in the atmosphere for over a century. The intensive use of nitrogen fertilizers has increased the amount of nitrous oxide produced in soil, accounting for 6 percent of all human-driven greenhouse gas emissions from the U.S. in 2022. Lars Bakken, a professor at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, and his colleagues searched for a microorganism that could cut these emissions without disrupting the soil microbes vital for crop health. The one that fit the criteria was Cloacibacterium sp. CB-01, a naturally occurring bacteria that cannot produce nitrous oxide, only consumes it. Field trials demonstrated that this bacteria slashed emissions of an initial fertilizer application by an impressive 94 percent and dropped the emissions of a subsequent fertilizer application by half. Furthermore, as it is natural and unmodified, farmers may be able to accept it without problems. Bakken states that with appropriate incentives and supportive policies, this innovative approach holds immense promise for enhancing farming sustainability. While further research is necessary to optimize the bacteria for diverse soil types, this breakthrough represents a significant stride toward reducing agriculture’s environmental footprint. Sean Jung Director junior/1719190051/1613368089