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THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice 38 | ENVIRONMENTAL CROP MANAGEMENT developed from their findings. In a unique study of how newly planted hedgerows are colonised by mammals, birds and beneficial invertebrates our sponsored doctorate and postgraduate students have shown that wild-flower infusions can develop naturally. In our latest collaboration we are helping farmers adapt to climate change by exploiting two new agricultural techniques. In the first we turn rising carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) levels into a farming advantage. Higher temperatures and CO 2 levels increase the night-time respiration of plants, causing crops effectively to burn off grain yield that could otherwise be harvested. We have identified a possible method to reduce night-time respiration so that crops trap more CO 2 and create approximately 10% extra food yield, rather than emitting more into the atmosphere as a damaging greenhouse gas. Another is a method of reducing the loss of nitrogen fertiliser through the production of nitrous oxide, a highly damaging greenhouse gas. The loss is caused by bacteria in the soil degrading the fertiliser and reducing its effectiveness. We have looked at a method of slowing down the bacteria that cause nitrous oxide production and speeding up the rate at which crops metabolise nitrogen. Initial findings are very positive, with cereals, potatoes and maize all showing higher yields and reduced levels of nitrous oxide. ECM will continue to promote conservation and profitable food production as the only way forward for farming. Our next project will be to look at how plants can be helped to become more water efficient, as climate change raises many crop and water-related issues. However, without the cooperation of our farmer-clients, none of our techniques would have been utilised. We are grateful to them for their open-mindedness and the care they continue to show for the environment. ECM research has identified a possible method to enable grain crops to trap more CO 2 and thus increase yield profitability, respect for biodiversity and best environmental practice can be mutually compatible " "