Collecting the carbon data needed for Climate-Smart agriculture in Saskatchewan

Term: 4 years, beginning in 2020
Status: Ongoing
Researcher(s): Kate Congreves, University of Saskatchewan
SaskCanola Investment: $111,011
Total Project Cost: $409,817
Funding Partners: ADF, Sask Wheat Development Commission, SaskOats

Project Description

This work will provide crucial information needed by the agricultural industry and growers: field-scale data on how farmers may best balance agronomic and environmental outcomes by adjusting either the timing of fertilizer application or the fertilizer formulation. Mitigating thaw-induced N2O emissions without negatively impacting yield will not only benefit producers, it would also come with added marketing benefits and environmental benefits via reduced potential for greenhouse gas emissions.

Objectives

1. Provide direct, year-round field-scale measurements of greenhouse gas emissions from a representative cropping system in Saskatchewan.

2. Test the hypothesis that Saskatchewan cropping systems are a net carbon sink by determining net ecosystem exchange and carbon footprint.

3. Provide field-scale assessments that encompass 4R+ practices aimed at minimizing carbon footprints.

Other References to this Research Project

• Research Poster: Nitrous oxide emissions from a canola-wheat cropping system in Saskatchewan