Potential for Nitrogen Use Adjustments in Mainstream Agriculture to Reduce Environmental Impact

The potential for LISA-type nitrogen use adjustments in mainstream U.S. agriculture

Nitrogen is an essential element for crop production, and the use of nitrogen fertilizer has been an integral part of mainstream agriculture for decades. However, concern about the environmental impacts of nitrogen fertilizer use is increasing. The excessive use of nitrogen fertilizer is polluting water resources, and the loss of nitrogen from fertilizer contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, it has become necessary to find methods that reduce the use of nitrogen fertilizer, while maintaining or enhancing crop productivity.

One potential solution to this problem is the implementation of LISA-type nitrogen use adjustments in mainstream agriculture. LISA (Low Input Sustainable Agriculture) is a farming system that emphasizes the use of soil conservation and biological controls, rather than chemical inputs, to maintain soil fertility and crop productivity. By adopting LISA practices, farmers can reduce the use of nitrogen fertilizer, while also improving the health of the soil and the environment.

The use of legumes is a crucial component of LISA farming. Legumes fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and use it to build their biomass. When legumes are incorporated into crop rotations, they can supply enough nitrogen to the succeeding crop to make up for the reduced use of nitrogen fertilizer. Therefore, the use of legumes can reduce the amount of nitrogen fertilizer needed to grow crops, and also improve the structure and fertility of the soil.

The implementation of a 5-cent tax on nitrogen fertilizer could be one step towards the adoption of LISA-type practices in mainstream U.S. agriculture. The tax would increase the cost of nitrogen fertilizer, making it less attractive to farmers who rely solely on chemical inputs. The tax would also provide funding for the promotion of LISA-type practices, such as the use of cover crops, crop rotations, and intercropping systems.

The potential benefits of the tax are significant. National nitrogen fertilizer use is estimated to decline by about 10%, which would reduce pollution of water resources and greenhouse gas emissions. The use of legume-produced nitrogen increases, which would improve soil fertility and reduce the need for nitrogen fertilizer. Crop use of nitrogen declines only 5%, which suggests that crop productivity would not be greatly impacted by the tax. Finally, a reduction in wasted legume-produced nitrogen occurs because of increased use of legumes and other crops in rotation, which would make farming more sustainable.

However, the tax is not without costs. Soil erosion and pesticide use are estimated to increase by 2.2% and 1.7%, respectively, in response to the tax. Therefore, the implementation of the tax must be accompanied by measures to reduce soil erosion and pesticide use. For example, the promotion of conservation tillage, the use of buffer strips, and the implementation of integrated pest management strategies would help to mitigate the negative impacts of the tax.

In conclusion, the implementation of LISA-type nitrogen use adjustments in mainstream U.S. agriculture has the potential to reduce pollution of water resources and greenhouse gas emissions, while also improving soil fertility and crop productivity. The implementation of a 5-cent tax on nitrogen fertilizer could be a step towards the adoption of these practices. While the tax is not without costs, the potential benefits are significant, and the negative impacts can be mitigated through the use of complementary measures. By promoting sustainable agriculture, we can ensure that the food we eat is healthy, and the land we depend on is protected.

Keywords: Nitrogen, Dewar, Types, Sustainable agriculture, LISA-type practices, Crop rotations, Cover crops, Soil fertility.