The overarching goal of amoA is to create an Impact Evaluation Framework for the use of nitrification inhibitors (NIs) to significantly reduce agricultural N₂O emissions. Previous studies have found that emissions of the potent greenhouse gas (N₂O) after fertilizer addition supplemented with a NI are significantly reduced. Danish calculations estimate that the use of NIs can reduce N₂O emissions by more than 500 kt CO₂ equivalent per year.

Today, NIs are regulated according to REACH and EU's fertilizer regulations, but despite structural similarities to fungicides, no assessments of groundwater leaching or their effects on soil ecosystems are required, raising strong concerns about their safety and environmental impact. In collaboration with Arla and Danish Crown, over 3 years this interdisciplinary project will generate the innovation needed to help secure that the use of chemical NIs does not have unintended environmental impacts. This is seen by industry partners as a prerequisite to actually endorse the use of chemical NIs as a central tool in greening Danish agricultural production.

The scientific aim of this project is to provide the scientific base for a robust framework to evaluate the fate and effects of NIs. This will be achieved by determining

• The leaching patterns and fate of two currently available NIs in two different soil types.
• The effects on the active microbial community by quantifying reductions in microbial N2O emissions, as well as impacts on microbial ecosystem services.   

The application of this new knowledge leads to the following technical aims:

• Creation of an environmental Impact Evaluation Framework for NIs. 
• Contribute to NI application recommendations.

This will enable reliable and effective reductions of N₂O emissions while minimizing adverse effects. Fulfilment of the technical aims will enable the following commercial aims:

• Production GHG emissions reduced in line with company pledges (Arla: 63% across operations; Danish Crown 50%) by 2030. 
• Enable the provision of sustainable, low-emission Danish agri-food products, appealing to increasingly conscious consumers and conveying a competitive advantage for overseas exports.