Reducing the environmental impact of agriculture while maintaining high productivity is a critical challenge for the Nordic region. The research project Green nitrogen transition: The potential of legumes to control the environment in agriculture (GreeNTrans) explores how legumes can play a key role in transforming nitrogen management in farming, promoting a more sustainable and resilient agricultural system.

Conventional nitrogen fertilisers contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, soil degradation, and water pollution. Legumes, with their natural ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, offer a promising alternative to synthetic fertilisers. By integrating legumes into agricultural systems, the project aims to reduce nitrogen runoff, improve soil health, and lower the carbon footprint of food production.

Photo credit: Vovmar. 

The project investigates innovative ways to optimise legume-based farming practices and their impact on nitrogen cycling. By studying different legume species, soil conditions, and climate interactions, researchers aim to develop strategies that enhance crop yields while reducing dependence on artificial fertilisers. This transition supports biodiversity, mitigates climate change effects, and strengthens the sustainability of Nordic agriculture.

The consortium of the project consists of three leading scientific and research institutions in the fields of agriculture in their countries – Lithuanian Research Center for Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, and IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute.

The project is organised into five work packages, closely related and interacting with each other to cover the full spectrum of activities and to use the advantages of collaboration. The knowledge gained during the project will be presented to stakeholders in the workshops, at scientific conferences, in the scientific and popular press, on the project webpage, and social networks.