What nitrogen practice changes qualify for carbon credits

Summary:  Explore qualifying nitrogen practice changes, agronomic benefits, and carbon credit potential.

Change in nitrogen application timing

Practice change: Reduce the number of nitrogen applications greater than 30 days before planting without increasing the total number of applications or increasing total N applied.  Add a qualifying nitrification inhibitor or controlled-release fertilizer product to a synthetic fertilizer application while not increasing total nitrogen applied compared to the crop-specific average on that field. The product must be added to at least 50% of the total nitrogen fertilizer on the field.

Examples of qualifying scenarios:

1. A grower typically applies NH3 ahead of corn in the fall. This year, the grower decides to shift their NH3 application to late April.

Agronomic benefits: The longer any form of N is left in a fallow field, there is an opportunity for leaching and N₂O emissions. Reducing the time between when a fertilizer is applied and when there is a living root in the ground to utilize that fertility will result in combating nutrient leaching and N₂O emissions.

Recommendation: Moving your nitrogen application(s) closer to planting provides the plant with more access to nutrients with less of a chance of leaching. 

     2.  A grower adds a qualifying nitrification inhibitor product to 100% of their fall pre-plant application of anhydrous ammonia NH3, which accounts for 50% of total N applied to the field – the other 50% is delivered at plant and post-plant. The grower has never used a nitrification inhibitor product on the field before, and the application does not increase the total nitrogen applied.

Agronomic benefits:  By using nitrogen stabilizers, you'll improve nitrogen use efficiency and reduce environmental impact.  

Recommendation:  Adding a stabilizer to at least half of your fertilizer applications will help to prevent leaching, volatilization, and denitrification.  This makes the nitrogen more available for plant uptake.  

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