Environmental Technologies and Eco-innovation in the Czech ...

4 | Technologies Reducing
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
in Agriculture
Agriculture has a landscape-shaping function and primarily affects three basic
components of the environment: soil, water and air. Agriculture mainly affects the
environment through animal by-products from livestock husbandry, which include
barnyard manure, slurry, poultry excrement and litter, as well as greenhouse gas
emissions such as nitrogen oxide and ammonia 1 .
Between 1990 and 2000, thriftier use of nitrogen fertilizers, a reduction in livestock
and observation of Good Agricultural Practice 2 principles brought about a reduction
in greenhouse gas emissions produced in agriculture by 20% to the current level of
9% of all GHG produced in the EU. The support of research and application of new
technologies hopes to further reduce GHG production in agriculture.
4.1 | Biotechnological additives
Biotechnological additives are substances based on enzymatic substances 3 ,
bacteria, alginates 4 , etc., used to reduce emissions of ammonia and other burdening
gases from livestock husbandry, in barnyard manure dumps and the use of fertilizers.
The Research Institute for Agricultural Engineering has examined the use of
additives containing extracts from yucca and seaweed, substances based on phytogenic 5
additives, a mix of growing oils, etc. The additives were tested from the perspective of
selected reduced GHG emissions and aerobic controlled high-speed composting.
1 ammonia – a toxic, very harsh gas, causes damage to mucous membranes if inhaled
2 Good Agricultural Practice – generally known recommendations or requirements on how to farm in an environmentally
friendly manner
3 enzymatic substances – complex proteins causing chemical reactions in an organism
4 alginates – extracts from seaweed
5 phytogenic – produced through the activity of plants