“BNI-system”
Development of planet-friendly agricultural production system using biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) technology
Related Research Program
Environment
2023-04-11
Background
Modern agriculture strongly relies on applications of large amounts of industrially produced nitrogen fertilizer. However, 50-70% of nitrogen fertilizer cannot be used by crops. The excess applied nitrogen is converted to nitrate through nitrification by soil microorganisms, then leaches into groundwater as a pollutant. It is also converted into nitrous oxide, 298 times more potent greenhouse gas than CO2, which causes global warming and climate change. Therefore, the technology that can maintain crop production while reducing the environmental impact of nitrogen fertilization, which far exceeds the processing capacity of the global ecosystem, is needed. Biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) technology developed by JIRCAS can improve crop productivity by using the crop’s capacity to suppress soil nitrification and improve the efficiency of nitrogen cycling in agriculture. Through the BNI International Consortium, JIRCAS is leading the world's BNI research.
Objectives
To solve environmental problems such as nitrate pollution and nitrous oxide emissions from farmland by improving nitrogen use efficiency, our activities through the BNI International Consortium to produce locally adapted varieties of upland crops with enhanced BNI capacity and develop technologies such as crop rotation systems using BNI will be conducted.
Research Themes
- Development of BNI-enabled crops and BNI-based production systems
- Elucidation of the factors to establish novel sustainable food systems with BNI
- Leading the BNI International Consortium through BNI research and promotion of international collaborative research on BNI
Target Countries
Mexico, India, Colombia, developed countries
Target Beneficiaries
Researchers and producers of field crops such as wheat, maize, sorghum, and Brachiaria pasture, and related stakeholders in the food value chain
Project Leader
YOSHIHASHI Tadashi (Biological Resources and Post-harvest Division)
Poster
Related Pages
JIRCAS Report
JIRCAS Showcases Agricultural Innovation at Agribusiness Creation Fair 2023
The research results of JIRCAS were exhibited at the "Agribusiness Creation Fair 2023" organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and held at Tokyo Big Sight, South Hall 2 from November 20 to 22, 2023.
Dissemination of JIRCAS Research Results at the UNFCCC Bonn Climate Change Conference
The Bonn Climate Change Conference of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was held in Bonn, Germany on June 5-15, 2023. Dr. NOGUCHI Shouji (Director, Forestry Division) and Dr. YOSHIHASHI Tadashi (Project Leader, Biological Resources and Post-harvest Division) presented their research at the 15th Research Dialogue held on June 8th.
BNI-enabled Wheat Exhibit at the G7 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting in Miyazaki
The G7 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting was held at the Seagaia Convention Center in Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture on April 22-23, 2023, and JIRCAS, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), set up an exhibition booth to introduce BNI-enabled wheat to G7 ministers, government officials and international organizations such as FAO.