For decades, farmers have been using nitrogen fertilizer to help boost their corn yields and increase profits. But new research shows that using nitrogen fertilizer on corn crops may not be as beneficial as previously thought. According to a recent study, nitrogen fertilizer can actually reduce corn yields – a finding that could have major implications for farmers and the environment. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Illinois, found that using nitrogen fertilizer on corn actually reduced yields by an average of 15%. The researchers also found that nitrogen fertilizer had a negative impact on the environment, as it increased the amount of nitrous oxide – a powerful greenhouse gas – released into the atmosphere. This finding could have major implications for farmers and the environment, as nitrogen fertilizer is a major component of modern agricultural practices.

Read Full Article Here

source: Phys.org