increase font size
Photocatalysis breaks down nitrous oxide and turns it into an essential crop nutrient.
While the new government is sure to “tinker” with the previous administration’s emissions policy, a recent visit to New Zealand by a group of ten UK-based technology companies, highlighted where things might be heading.
Lincoln-based – the one in the UK – Crop Intellect certainly got ears twitching, by claiming its technology lets crops turn pollution into fertiliser. This is achieved by using a new technology that captures air pollution and uses sunlight to convert it into nitrate on the leaf surface of a crop.
Called R-Leaf, a process known as photocatalysis breaks down nitrous oxide and turns it into an essential crop nutrient. This offers the potential to reduce farm emissions and ultimately, the industry’s reliance on synthetic nitrogen.
Against a background of rollercoaster fertiliser markets and environmental concerns, with the promise of more volatility still to come in the case of the former. The technology is being promoted as a development that will allow farmers to make better use of nitrogen fertiliser, while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with its use.
Classed as a fertiliser, R-Leaf is based on titanium dioxide and comes in a liquid formulation that also contains manganese, molybdenum and zinc. It can be applied through a standard farm sprayer to crop foliage, either on its own or as part of a tank mix. Once applied, it uses sunlight to convert atmospheric nitrous oxide into nitrate, which the company says helps to provide the plant with a constant supply of the nutrient.
The patented photocatalyst technology contained in R-Leaf has been designed to work under normal daylight conditions, rather than needing high intensity light usually associated with such chemical reactions, This allows it to react with nitrous oxide in field conditions, breaking the pollutant down in to nitrate, carbon dioxide and water – all of which are required by the plant.
Jeremy Hitcham, commercial manager at Crop Intellect, says the R-Leaf is a significant development for the industry’s net-zero ambitions, not only helping to improve nutrient use efficiency on farms.
“It also has a role in reducing air pollution. In the future, its use should allow carbon credits to be produced, so that they can be monetised if required.”
R-Leaf’s potential to contribute towards reducing climate change has been validated at 5.4t/ha of carbon dioxide equivalent when used at a rate of 2 litres/ha, with verification coming from Climate Impact Forecast tool.
Hitcham suggests there are two ways in which R-Leaf can be used on-farm. The first to reduce bagged nitrogen usage by 25% and let R-Leaf provide the rest, so that yields are maintained. The second is to maintain normal farm practice and apply the same amount of nitrogen, with R-Leaf being used to provide additional yields.
Currently being applied to many thousands of hectares, R-Leaf currently costs £25/litre, with split applications of 2 litres/ha being recommended for cereals crops. Applications are made at growth stage T1 and T2, meaning a total cost of £50/ha.
The second application is needed because R-Leaf doesn’t move once it has been applied, so a growing plant producing new leaves benefits from the follow-up as older, treated leaves become shaded.
The product is included in Tesco’s largescale commercial trial on nitrogen fertiliser use. R-Leaf is one of eight alternative fertiliser products being tested by the supermarket, with early recognition in the form of an Agri T-Jam Award for Innovation.
Twin rotor swathers have become the ‘go-to’ for forming swaths to feed hungry harvesters and balers, however, the design layout often means that crop located between the two rotors is not picked up, turned over or incorporated into the swath formed for subsequent harvesting.
Operating large tractors became more expensive back in March due to the ongoing Strait of Hormuz conflict, meaning contractors had to introduce fuel surcharges and farmers had to adjust their budget forecasts.
Close to the Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks, Motueka is known for apples, pear and kiwifruit orchards, alongside specialised crops such as hops. Indeed, that specialisation, saw the area being the New Zealand centre of the tobacco growing, until the early 1980s.
Can-Am has introduced its 2027 range of side-by-side vehicles (SSV) and all-terrain vehicles (ATV), including the industry leading Defender, the Maverick R and the hugely capable Outlander ATV, incorporating a host of advancements designed to deliver an exceptional riding experience.
With battery tools becoming more widespread and more importantly, productive and reliable, it was only time before we saw augers or post-hole borers.
Waikato milk processor Tatua has again declared a record milk payout to farmer shareholders, leaving other processors in the dust.
A Labour-led Government won’t be bringing back the controversial freshwater rules of 2020.
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…
