For the conventional monocultural production of staple grain crops like maize half or more of the carbon foodprint comes from energy intensive production of ammoniated fertilizers.

In Pennsylvania we were able show either the previous crop use of alfalfa or the growing of a winter hairy vetch cover can completely eliminate the high carbon foodprint in maize as the residual biological nitrogen fixation nitrogen is sufficient for excellent yields.

The soluble nitrogen fixers also can stimulate greater decay of soil organic matter which means the carbon and nitrogen of that material are put into the air rather than held in the soil.

So from a greenhouse gas prospective reliance on biological nitrogen fixation reduces the carbon foodprint and increases carbon and nitrogen sequestration.

Besides reducing the costs of inputs and stimulate high yields these practices are able to give less stimulation of emissions from the food systme and counteract emissions by significant ability to sequesterGHG as increased soil organic matter high in Carbon and Nitrogen the principle GHG.

Lee et al. 2021 Mitigation of global warming potential and greenhouse gas intensity in arable soil with green manure as nitrogen source. Environ. Poll. 288 november issue.

Hairy vetch mixed with barley is able to eliminate the need for synthetic nitrogen and provides an avenue of erosion control and carbon sequestration.

Good article on the topic.

Synthetic Fertilizers contain more Nitrogen, urea has 46% N, and AN has 32% N etc. Nitrogen pollution is the problem for ecosystem, health & climate. Nitrogen causes algal bloom and killing marine life and contributes to GHG emission.

The chemical Nitrogen simulates excessive microorganism growth after the time decrease the organic matter in the soil.

The N, P & K are the primary nutrient for crops that provide chemical fertilizers hence produce more food.

1. Nitrous oxide (N2O), a persistent greenhouse gas with 265 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide, is the main emission form of synthetic N fertilizers when they are applied to the soil.

2. A large portion of the fertilizer that is sprayed flows off into streams or is broken down by soil bacteria, releasing the strong greenhouse gas nitrous oxide into the atmosphere.

Yes, it improves soil fertilization and increases yields, recent experiments and analysis of the results of the North Kazakhstan region have shown. Fertilizers contribute to global warming and affect the environment, in terms of greening the earth and world data show that the proportion of saline and sandy soils of the earth is increasing. Our further research, the cultivation of Seksaul seeds and the addition of fertilizer, will give the result applicable to the salt and sandy lands of Kazakhstan.

Synthetic fertilizers pollute the world in several ways. 1) They emit CO2 when natural gas and air are mixed together under high temperature and pressure to create ammonia, a precursor to synthetic fertilizer (Haber Bosch Process). 2) They damage the soil due to their salt content and the over fertilization destroying the microbial biome of the soil. 3) Due to the high water mobility of nitrates any excess fertilizer applied to the soil will run off into our water systems and cause nitrification. In all 1 lb of nitrogen production and application equates to about 15 lb of CO2e. It is very difficult to pin down due to the variability of weather (temperature, rainfall, humidity), the crops being grown, the actual fertilizer being used, the type and health of the soil, and the way in which the crops are being fertilized.

Fertilizer definitely increases yield, but does not benefit the soil. There are other ways to increase crop yield without hurting the air, soil or water. Some include regenerative farming, increased soil health, and application when appropriate. There is also an alternative to synthetic fertilizer called nitrogen enriched water or plasma activated water. It provides nitrates without the salt and is produced using renewable energy and air. It is in liquid form and should be applied often but at low concentrations. It is also very applicable to vertical and hydroponic farming.

I hope this helps.

To provide crops the nutrients they require to flourish, farmers amend their soils with fertilisers. Humans have utilised manure and pulverised bone as organic and mineral fertilisers to increase soil fertility for tens of thousands of years.

Yes, the majorities of emissions from synthetic N fertilizers occur after they are applied to the soil and enter the atmosphere as nitrous oxide (N2O) a persistent greenhouse gas with 265 times more global warming potential than CO2. Nitrogen pollution is a pressing problem for ecosystem health and the climate. Large shares of nitrogen applied to farms as synthetic fertilizer or manure wash into rivers causing algal blooms and killing off marine life and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, synthetic nitrogen, now used extensively in conventional fertilizers, helps farmers produce higher yields to feed a growing world population. However, when this nitrogen is not fully utilized by the growing plants, they can be lost from the farm fields and negatively impact air and downstream water quality. Fertilization is an important agronomic measure, and appropriate application of fertilizers can promote the growth and development of farming and improve the quality and yield of crops. Fertilizers improve the supply of nutrients in the soil, directly affecting plant growth. Soil amendments improve a soil's physical condition (e.g. soil structure, water infiltration), indirectly affecting plant growth. By applying fertilizers, the soil is loaded with various nutrients that provide favorable conditions for plant growth.

I believe that soil fertility is the ability of soil to sustain plant growth and optimize crop yield. This can be enhanced through organic and inorganic fertilizers to the soil. Nuclear techniques provide data that enhances soil fertility and crop production while minimizing the environmental impact. Fertilizers can increase crop yields. This not only offers important benefits for farmer incomes and food security, but also produces environmental benefits by reducing our demands for farmland. Fertilizers improve the supply of nutrients in the soil, directly affecting plant growth. Soil amendments improve a soil's physical condition and indirectly affecting plant growth. Fertilizers provide mineral ions needed for healthy growth in plants. As plants grow, they absorb mineral ions from the water in the soil through their root hair cells. Over time, the concentration of these ions decreases, so farmers and gardeners add fertilizers to the soil. The majorities of emissions from synthetic N fertilisers occur after they are applied to the soil and enter the atmosphere as nitrous oxide (N2O) and a persistent greenhouse gas with 265 times more global warming potential than CO2. Synthetic nitrogen, now used extensively in conventional fertilizers, helps farmers produce higher yields to feed a growing world population. However, when this nitrogen is not fully utilized by the growing plants, they can be lost from the farm fields and negatively impact air and downstream water quality. The global production of fertilizers is responsible for around 1.4% of annual CO2 emissions, and fertilizer use is a major contributor of non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions. Fertilizers contain high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, which can lead to oxygen depletion, overgrowth of vegetation, and fish kills. In order to protect wildlife and aquatic species from pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers that pollute our waters, buffer zones need to be enforced. Nitrogen-based fertilizers produce potent greenhouse gases and can overload waterways with dangerous pollutants; chemical pesticides with varying toxicological effects can contaminate our air and water or reside directly on our food. Fertilizers boost crop yields, but their excessive usage has hardened the soil, reduced fertility, strengthened insecticides, polluted air and water, and emitted greenhouse gases, creating health and environmental risks.