Mitigation of nitrous oxide emissions from food production in China

We evaluate nitrogen (N) management options to mitigate nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from food production in China. First, we review approaches to quantify N2O emissions. We argue that long-term monitoring of N2O measurements at different sites is needed to improve emission estimates. Next, past trends in N2O emissions from food production are evaluated showing that N2O emissions more than doubled in China between 1980 and 2005. In the future, N2O emissions may continue to increase. However, combinations of diet changes, balanced fertilization and integrated nutrient management options can reduce N2O emission by almost two-thirds, relative to a business-as-usual scenario. We argue that further research and policy instruments for N2O reductions are needed on managing N in the food chain in order to ensure N2O emission reduction.