Using Nuclear Science to Manage Nitrogen

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Producer: Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture (NAFA)

While nitrogen is the key component of all agricultural production systems, if used inappropriately, it can pollute waters, lead to greenhouse gas emission and further accelerate climate change. The ability to trace nitrogen as it moves through agricultural ecosystems is therefore essential to maximize its use while protecting the environment. Nitrogen-15, a stable isotope of nitrogen, is an ideal tracer. It can be easily measured in soils, plants, water and air to ensure that agricultural practises are environmentally sustainable and that farmers can minimise the quantity they apply.

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Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications Organizational Structure Nuclear technology and applications Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition Section Environment Food security and climate change Climate change Food and agriculture Environment Climate-smart agriculture Development of smart agriculture practices Resilience and adaptation to climate change Crop nutrition Plant breeding Improving soil fertility Land and water management Mutation detection

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