Nitrogen compounds in fertilizers

Introduction Nitrogen compounds in fertilizers are crucial to modern agriculture, significantly impacting plant growth and food production. Common forms of nitrogen used in fertilizers include nitrate (NO3), ammonia (NH3), ammonium (NH4), and urea (CH4N2O). While these compounds enhance agricultural yields, their application also contributes to serious environmental issues, particularly the emission of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential nearly 300 times greater than that of carbon dioxide (CO2) over a century. The reliance on nitrogen-based fertilizers raises concerns about their role in exacerbating climate change, as they contribute approximately 2.1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, largely through agricultural soil management practices.  The impact of nitrogen […]