Organic-Based N Fertilisers

Soil CRC
Written By Cristy Houghton

Glasshouse and Field Evaluation of Organic-Based Nitrogen Fertilisers for Crop Production and Soil Health

Project Funder: Soil CRC
Project Lead Organisation/Researchers: Griffith University, Dr Yunying Fang, Prof Chengrong Chen, Dr Zhenzhen Yan
Project Duration: August 2024 – January 2027
Location: CWFS The Fettell Centre, Condobolin

Aim

To test and validate three new organic-based nitrogen fertilisers under glasshouse and field conditions to assess their potential to improve nitrogen use efficiency, crop performance, and soil health across different Australian farming systems.

Description and background

Nitrogen is a key input in crop production, but conventional fertilisers such as urea are often used inefficiently. It is estimated that less than half of the nitrogen applied as fertiliser is actually taken up by the crop. The remainder can be lost through volatilisation as ammonia gas, leaching into deeper soil layers or waterways, or emissions as nitrous oxide (a potent greenhouse gas). These losses reduce the effectiveness of fertiliser use, increase input costs, and contribute to environmental issues like soil acidification and water pollution.

This project is trialling three slow-release organic-based fertilisers developed by Griffith University. The products are based on peanut shell biochar, cow manure and green waste compost, each combined with urea. These fertilisers aim to synchronise N release with crop demand while also supporting microbial activity and improving soil function.

At the CWFS site in Condobolin, a wheat trial was established in May 2025 with five treatments: a control (no nitrogen), conventional urea and the three organic-based fertilisers. All products were applied at sowing. Researchers will measure nitrogen uptake, yield, plant growth, and a range of soil chemical and biological indicators over two seasons. Additional trials are also underway in VIC and QLD, focusing on wheat, canola, and sugarcane.

Partnership

This project is a partnership between Soil CRC, Griffith University (project lead), Central West Farming Systems (NSW), Birchip Cropping Group (VIC), Burdekin Productivity Services (QLD), and Charles Sturt University (economic analysis).

 
Cristy Houghton

Cristy's unique career has taken her from country NSW to the city lights of Clarendon Street South Melbourne and back again. With an early career in radio as a copywriter and creative strategist, she is now a Jill of all trades as a graphic designer, website builder, blog writer, video editor, social media manager, marketing strategist and more. 

In fact, give her any task and this chick will figure out how to do it! Go on, we dare you!

No, really, we DARE you!!

Cristy has won two Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs) for Best Ad and Best Sales Promotion, and even has an 'Employee of the Year' certificate with her name on it.

Cristy and her husband James have traveled extensively through Russia, China and South East Asia, and have two fur-babies, Sooty (cat) and Panda (puppy). Cristy loves drinking coffee, meeting people to drink coffee, coffee tasting and coffee flavoured cocktails. She also enjoys road trips, TED Talks and watching cat videos on youtube.

http://www.embarketing.com.au
Previous

Evaluating novel approaches for drought resilience through capitalising on an established network of long-term trials
Next

De-risking the seeding program