In the pursuit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, scientists have turned their attention to the unassuming but powerful nitrous oxide—a gas that, pound for pound, has 265 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. Now, a team of researchers has discovered a naturally occurring bacterium that could significantly curb nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural soils, offering a promising new avenue for sustainable farming practices.
Lars Bakken, a professor at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, and his colleagues have identified Cloacibacterium sp. CB-01, a bacterium that thrives in anaerobic conditions and can be integrated into existing farming routines. “I think that the avenue we have opened here… opens up new possibilities in bioengineering of farmed soil,” Bakken said.
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is emitted by microorganisms in soil, particularly in fields heavily treated with nitrogen fertilizers. In 2022, it accounted for 6 percent of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Reducing fertilizer use lowers emissions but can adversely affect crop yields—a dilemma for farmers worldwide.
Bakken’s team cultivated the bacterium using organic waste, aligning with sustainable practices as many farmers already apply manure-based fertilizers. In extensive lab and field trials, the bacterium demonstrated remarkable efficacy, reducing nitrous oxide emissions by up to 94 percent following initial fertilizer applications and by about half during subsequent applications.
Importantly, after three months, there was no significant change in the soil’s microbial community, indicating that Cloacibacterium sp. CB-01 does not disrupt beneficial soil organisms. This aspect is crucial for maintaining soil health and ensuring the bacterium’s viability as a long-term solution.
Experts in the field are optimistic. “The fact that they have developed a unique strategy to reduce [nitrous oxide emissions] pretty dramatically was really interesting,” said Lori Hoagland, a professor of soil microbial ecology at Purdue University.
While the bacterium is not genetically modified—potentially easing regulatory hurdles—economic incentives may be necessary for widespread adoption. “Farmers aren’t paid for reducing nitrous oxide emissions… The task for the authorities is to install policy instruments that make it profitable,” Bakken noted.
Further research is needed to confirm the bacterium’s effectiveness across different soil types globally. If successful, this innovation could have a tremendous impact on reducing agriculture’s carbon footprint. As Paul Carini, a soil microbiologist at the University of Arizona, stated, “This is the next frontier in soil agriculture research.”
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Researchers find organism that can reduce nitrous oxide in farms
cgtn.com
