Key Takeaways
- The NitroScope project has officially launched with a two-day meeting at Ghent University, bringing together 25 partners from 15 countries.
- The initiative aims to improve the quantification, management, and conservation of nitrogen fluxes across Europe.
- NitroScope will deploy advanced sensing technologies across more than 100 data collection sites and five pilot sites.
- The project will create a European nitrogen database, update the continent’s nitrogen budget, and develop tools to support farmers and policymakers.
- Early findings on nitrogen flux patterns and management practices are expected in mid-2026.
NitroScope Project Launch Marks Major Step Toward Sustainable Nitrogen Use
The NitroScope project has officially begun following a two-day kick-off meeting at Ghent University, uniting more than 50 experts from universities, research institutes, and industry organizations across Europe. The initiative aims to advance how nitrogen fluxes are monitored and managed, supporting the shift toward climate-smart agriculture.
Nitrogen remains essential for crop production, but excessive use leads to soil degradation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing these challenges is central to the EU’s goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, yet monitoring soil-derived nitrogen emissions remains technically difficult.
Consortium Aligns on Technology Deployment and Engagement Strategy
The meeting gathered 25 partner organizations from 15 countries, setting a shared vision for improving nitrogen-use efficiency across Europe’s diverse agricultural systems. Over the two days, project partners:
- Reviewed NitroScope’s objectives and methodological frameworks.
- Outlined plans to deploy multi-sensor soil platforms and remote sensing tools across 100+ sites and five pilot regions.
- Discussed approaches to engage farmers, advisors, and policymakers in co-developing practical nitrogen management strategies.
“NitroScope will generate the most detailed picture yet of Europe’s nitrogen flows, helping farmers and decision-makers take concrete steps toward sustainable soil management,” said Professor Abdul Mouazen, coordinator of NitroScope at Ghent University.
NitroScope Objectives: Monitoring, Data Integration, and Policy Impact
The project aims to deliver systemic solutions for monitoring and reducing nitrogen losses by:
- Developing sensor-based tools to track nitrate leaching and nitrous oxide emissions in real time.
- Creating an open-access European nitrogen database and cloud platform.
- Integrating nitrogen management add-ons into existing decision support systems used by farmers.
- Updating Europe’s nitrogen budget for the first time in over 20 years using new datasets and advanced modelling.
- Providing policy recommendations aligned with the EU Green Deal, Soil Strategy for 2030, and the Nitrates Directive.
Next Steps and Pilot Sites
The project will establish five pilot sites in Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Norway, and Greece, each representing distinct environmental conditions. These sites will test precision nitrogen management practices and support real-world validation of the project’s tools.
Over the coming months, partners will begin sensor deployment, farm network development, and the setup of the project’s digital infrastructure. Initial results are expected by mid-2026, contributing to Europe’s efforts to build resilient and climate-smart agricultural systems.
