Embrapa wants to tropicalize carbon measurement tool

Embrapa and the US company Regrow Agriculture, Inc. have signed a technical and financial cooperation agreement to adapt the DNDC (DeNitrification-DeComposition) computer simulation model to Brazilian soil and climate conditions. The tool is already widely used worldwide to measure and optimize carbon sequestration and nitrogen fixation in the soil. 

The document was signed by Regrow's Strategy Director, William Sallas, and by the CEO of Embrapa Agrobiologia (RJ), Cristhiane Amancio, representing President Silvia Massruhá, during the Latin American and Caribbean Symposium on Soil Carbon Research (LAC Soil Carbon 2025), which takes place at the Museum of Tomorrow, Rio de Janeiro, this week.

According to Pedro Machado, a researcher at Embrapa Arroz e Feijão (GO), DNDC is a computational tool that offers numerous advantages to production systems, especially with regard to environmental preservation. “It is a model that allows the simulation of decomposition processes and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, such as nitrous oxide (N2O), from the soil, helping to understand and manage these processes,” he explains.

However, until now, the data was restricted to temperate climate conditions in the United States and Europe. The partnership aims to adapt and calibrate the tool with information from tropical agriculture practiced in the country. To this end, as Machado notes, eleven Embrapa units participate in ACT – Acre, Rice and Beans, Agrobiology, Agrosilvopastoral, Cotton, Temperate Climate, Beef Cattle, Maranhão, Mid-North, Southeast Livestock and Wheat – with the aim of covering different biomes, soils and climates.

“We are very optimistic about this agreement, since the DNDC is a valuable tool for research, decision-making and environmental management, offering knowledge about the dynamics of carbon and nitrogen in the soil, and the impact of different agricultural practices on GHG emissions. The goal is to develop an optimized, calibrated and validated model for the most relevant agricultural production systems in the different biomes of Brazil”, concludes the researcher. The financial resources of the cooperation will be managed by the Edmundo Gastal Foundation for Agricultural Research and Development (Fapeg).

Benefits of DNDC

Greenhouse gas emissions simulation: The DNDC allows the estimation of GHG emissions, such as nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon and methane (CH4), among others, originating from agricultural and forestry activities, helping to assess the environmental impact of these activities.

Modeling of complex soil processes: The model integrates several physical, chemical and biological processes that occur in the soil, such as the decomposition of organic matter, nutrient cycling and water dynamics, providing a comprehensive view of ecosystem functioning.

Analysis of management practices: The DNDC can be used to assess the impact of different agricultural management practices, such as fertilization, irrigation, crop rotation and soil conservation techniques, on greenhouse gas emissions and production.

Decision-making support: By providing information on the environmental impacts of different practices, DNDC helps to make more sustainable decisions in agriculture and natural resource management.

Cost reduction: Using the model can reduce the need for extensive laboratory and field experiments, which can reduce research and development costs to generate more efficient and sustainable agricultural practices.

Flexibility and adaptability: DNDC can be applied in different types of ecosystems, such as forests, wetlands and agricultural ecosystems, and can be adapted to different climatic and soil conditions.

Carbon sequestration assessment: The model can also be used to assess the potential for carbon sequestration in the soil, contributing to the mitigation of climate change.