New research by Purdue University has examined how farmers could raise enough bioenergy crops to inexpensively produce nitrogen-based fertilisers and reduce the reach of those fertilisers into nearby waterways.
The research was carried out by Purdue University scientists, and led by Nick Capita, a Professor in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology.
“Use of biomass as the source of hydrogen and energy for ammonia fertiliser is competitive with electricity as a replacement for natural gas or other fossil fuels,” the researchers explain.
“Moreover, the integration of a perennial biomass crop as a border row to food crops is particularly appealing because it provides the substrates for fertiliser production while mitigating the environmental impact of excess nitrogen.”
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