CINAg and N-Circle hold joint meeting

In early September the two Newton Fund/BBSRC funded China VJCs, CINAg and N-Circle, held a joint meeting to discuss their findings and explore opportunities for future collaborations. Held at Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, the event included over 80 delegates from the two VJCs as well as guests representing other VJCs and the wider scientific community.

VJCs progress to date

The VJC leaders from China (Prof Liu Xueju, Prof Ju Xiaotang, Prof Liu Hongbin) and the UK (Prof Tom Misselbrook, Prof Pete Smith) gave presentations on progress to date and plans for the next 18 months. Despite some challenges in the first 18 months of the projects, both VJCs have made significant progress towards meeting their overall goals.

The key aim of the CINAg project is to develop novel indicators of Nitrogen use efficiency, to use these and other emerging knowledge to help farming systems achieve sustainable intensification. To this end, field experiments have been ongoing in the UK and China, with a focus on the development of new soil health metrics. Alongside this, computer modelling has been used to assess the possible impacts of suggested improved practices in agriculture.

N-Circle adopts an integrated approach to tightening the agricultural N cycle by targeting each stage of potential Nitrogen addition or loss. There are several areas in which experiments are ongoing, with field trials, laboratory work and computer modelling covering areas including fertilisers, crop genomics and livestock breeding ongoing in both China and the UK.

Both projects have published papers in academic journals and have also been featured in the press in publications such as Fertilizer Focus magazine and China Daily USA. In addition, CINAg has been implementing its outreach strategy through the Chinese “Science and Technology Backyard” programme.

Future plans

In the final 18 months of the projects, as well as completing their planned work, CINAg and N-Circle will work closely to share expertise and maximise impact. There are three concrete areas in which they will achieve this, with more collaboration to be achieved through regular communications:

the two VJCs will work together on N-Circle’s planned Nitrogen Impact Calculator. This is intended to calculate and compare Nitrogen inputs and outputs for typical Chinese and UK agriculture systems

the VJCs will jointly fund a visit by a Chinese modeller to visit the UK for nine months. This will enable integration of some of the complementary process modelling currently being conducted in the CINAg and N-Circle projects

Together with some additional proof-of-concept funding, the VJCs will jointly scope the potential for development of a manure nutrient decision tool for Chinese agriculture