scholarly journals Application of Hydrochar, Digestate, and Synthetic Fertilizer to a Miscanthus x giganteus Crop: Implications for Biomass and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (24) ◽  
pp. 8953
Author(s):  
Toby Adjuik ◽  
Abbey M. Rodjom ◽  
Kimberley E. Miller ◽  
M. Toufiq M. Reza ◽  
Sarah C. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Biomass Yield ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Hydrothermal Carbonization ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Miscanthus X Giganteus ◽  
Synthetic Fertilizer ◽  
Ghg Fluxes

Miscanthus x giganteus (miscanthus), a perennial biomass crop, allocates more carbon belowground and typically has lower soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than conventional feedstock crops, but best practices for nutrient management that maximize yield while minimizing soil GHG emissions are still debated. This study evaluated the effects of four different fertilization treatments (digestate from a biodigester, synthetic fertilizer (urea), hydrochar from the hydrothermal carbonization of digestate, and a control) on soil GHG emissions and biomass yield of an established miscanthus stand grown on abandoned agricultural land. Soil GHG fluxes (including CH4, CO2, and N2O) were sampled in all treatments using the static chamber methodology. Average biomass yield varied from 20.2 Mg ha−1 to 23.5 Mg ha−1, but there were no significant differences among the four treatments (p > 0.05). The hydrochar treatment reduced mean CO2 emissions by 34% compared to the control treatment, but this difference was only statistically significant in one of the two sites tested. Applying digestate to miscanthus resulted in a CH4 efflux from the soil in one of two sites, while soils treated with urea and hydrochar acted as CH4 sinks in both sites. Overall, fertilization did not significantly improve biomass yield, but hydrochar as a soil amendment has potential for reducing soil GHG fluxes.

scholarly journals Soil greenhouse gas fluxes from tropical coastal wetlands and alternative agricultural land uses

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (18) ◽  
pp. 5085-5096
Author(s):  
Naima Iram ◽  
Emad Kavehei ◽  
Damien T. Maher ◽  
Stuart E. Bunn ◽  
Mehran Rezaei Rashti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Salt Marsh ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Coastal Wetlands ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
Ghg Mitigation ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Ghg Fluxes

Abstract. Coastal wetlands are essential for regulating the global carbon budget through soil carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas (GHG – CO2, CH4, and N2O) fluxes. The conversion of coastal wetlands to agricultural land alters these fluxes' magnitude and direction (uptake/release). However, the extent and drivers of change of GHG fluxes are still unknown for many tropical regions. We measured soil GHG fluxes from three natural coastal wetlands – mangroves, salt marsh, and freshwater tidal forests – and two alternative agricultural land uses – sugarcane farming and pastures for cattle grazing (ponded and dry conditions). We assessed variations throughout different climatic conditions (dry–cool, dry–hot, and wet–hot) within 2 years of measurements (2018–2020) in tropical Australia. The wet pasture had by far the highest CH4 emissions with 1231±386 mgm-2d-1, which were 200-fold higher than any other site. Dry pastures and sugarcane were the highest emitters of N2O with 55±9 mgm-2d-1 (wet–hot period) and 11±3 mgm-2d-1 (hot-dry period, coinciding with fertilisation), respectively. Dry pastures were also the highest emitters of CO2 with 20±1 gm-2d-1 (wet–hot period). The three coastal wetlands measured had lower emissions, with salt marsh uptake of -0.55±0.23 and -1.19±0.08 gm-2d-1 of N2O and CO2, respectively, during the dry–hot period. During the sampled period, sugarcane and pastures had higher total cumulative soil GHG emissions (CH4+N2O) of 7142 and 56 124 CO2-eqkgha-1yr-1 compared to coastal wetlands with 144 to 884 CO2-eqkgha-1yr-1 (where CO2-eq is CO2 equivalent). Restoring unproductive sugarcane land or pastures (especially ponded ones) to coastal wetlands could provide significant GHG mitigation.

scholarly journals Prioritising agri-environment options for greenhouse gas mitigation

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas Warner ◽  
John Tzilivakis ◽  
Andrew Green ◽  
Kathleen Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Crop Yield ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Mitigation ◽  
Intergovernmental Panel ◽  
Ghg Mitigation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Erosion Risk ◽  
Lower Priority

Purpose This paper aims to assess agri-environment (AE) scheme options on cultivated agricultural land in England for their impact on agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It considers both absolute emissions reduction and reduction incorporating yield decrease and potential production displacement. Similarities with Ecological Focus Areas (EFAs) introduced in 2015 as part of the post-2014 Common Agricultural Policy reform, and their potential impact, are considered. Design/methodology/approach A life-cycle analysis approach derives GHG emissions for 18 key representative options. Meta-modelling is used to account for spatial environmental variables (annual precipitation, soil type and erosion risk), supplementing the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change methodology. Findings Most options achieve an absolute reduction in GHG emissions compared to an existing arable crop baseline but at the expense of removing land from production, risking production displacement. Soil and water protection options designed to reduce soil erosion and nitrate leaching decrease GHG emissions without loss of crop yield. Undersown spring cereals support decreased inputs and emissions per unit of crop yield. The most valuable AE options identified are included in the proposed EFAs, although lower priority is afforded to some. Practical implications Recommendations are made where applicable to modify option management prescriptions and to further reduce GHG emissions. Originality/value This research is relevant and of value to land managers and policy makers. A dichotomous key summarises AE option prioritisation and supports GHG mitigation on cultivated land in England. The results are also applicable to other European countries.

scholarly journals Responses of Low-Cost Input Combinations on the Microbial Structure of the Maize Rhizosphere for Greenhouse Gas Mitigation and Plant Biomass Production

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caio Augusto Yoshiura ◽  
Andressa Monteiro Venturini ◽  
Lucas Palma Perez Braga ◽  
Aline Giovana da França ◽  
Maria do Carmo Catanho Pereira de Lyra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Biomass Production ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Control Plant ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Lignocellulose Degradation ◽  
Microbial Composition ◽  
Maize Stover ◽  
Plant Biomass Production

The microbial composition of the rhizosphere and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under the most common input combinations in maize (Zea mays L.) cultivated in Brazil have not been characterized yet. In this study, we evaluated the influence of maize stover coverage (S), urea-topdressing fertilization (F), and the microbial inoculant Azospirillum brasilense (I) on soil GHG emissions and rhizosphere microbial communities during maize development. We conducted a greenhouse experiment and measured methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes from soil cultivated with maize plants under factorial combinations of the inputs and a control treatment (F, I, S, FI, FS, IS, FIS, and control). Plant biomass was evaluated, and rhizosphere soil samples were collected at V5 and V15 stages and DNA was extracted. The abundance of functional genes (mcrA, pmoA, nifH, and nosZ) was determined by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and the structure of the microbial community was assessed through 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Our results corroborate with previous studies which used fewer input combinations and revealed different responses for the following three inputs: F increased N2O emissions around 1 week after application; I tended to reduce CH4 and CO2 emissions, acting as a plant growth stimulator through phytohormones; S showed an increment for CO2 emissions by increasing carbon-use efficiency. IS and FIS treatments presented significant gains in biomass that could be related to Actinobacteria (19.0%) and Bacilli (10.0%) in IS, and Bacilli (9.7%) in FIS, which are the microbial taxa commonly associated with lignocellulose degradation. Comparing all factors, the IS (inoculant + maize stover) treatment was considered the best option for plant biomass production and GHG mitigation since FIS provides small gains toward the management effort of F application.

scholarly journals Fertilizer value and greenhouse gas emissions from solid fraction pig slurry compost pellets

2017 ◽  
Vol 155 (10) ◽  
pp. 1646-1658 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. PAMPURO ◽  
C. BERTORA ◽  
D. SACCO ◽  
E. DINUCCIO ◽  
C. GRIGNANI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Solid Fraction ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Small Diameter ◽  
Wood Chip ◽  
Bulking Agent ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Pig Slurry ◽  
Fertilizer Value ◽  
Study Results

SUMMARYConversion of pig slurry to pellets is a desirable fertilizer option for farmers who want to mitigate environmental pollution from slurry accumulation. The goals of the current investigation were to determine the fertilizer properties of pig slurry solid fraction (SF) pellets and to assess its potential to enhance soil properties in order to reduce ammonia (NH3) volatilization and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Various parameters influence SF-based pellet fertilizer effectiveness: bulking agent use during composting, pellet diameter sizing and soil application type (superficially or incorporated into the soil). Two composts from the same pig slurry SF obtained from a screw press separator were prepared: pig SF compost without a bulking agent (SSFC) and pig SF compost with wood chips as the bulking agent (wood chip compost (WCC)). For each compost type, pellets of two different diameters (6 and 8 mm) were produced. A mesocosm experiment, conducted with maize plants, was used to test the fertilizer value of the considered pellets. In total, three compost fertilizers – SSFC, WCC and nitrogen: phosphorus: potassium mineral fertilizer 15 : 15 : 15, plus one unfertilized control treatment – were applied at the same N rate (equivalent to 200 kg/ha) using two different methods (surface and soil incorporation). After 65 days, above-ground biomass, roots and soil samples were collected and analysed. Subsequently, a second mesocosm study was undertaken to measure NH3and GHG emissions released from pellet fertilization. Ammonia volatilization was determined immediately after pellet application, while carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions were monitored for 57 days. Study results indicated that both pellet types were effective slow-release fertilizers for maize. Additionally, three actions seemed to make the nutrients contained in pig SF compost pellets more available to plants: addition of a bulking agent before composting, use of small diameter pellets and soil incorporation of the fertilizer.

scholarly journals Measuring and mitigating agricultural greenhouse gas production in the US Great Plains, 1870–2000

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (34) ◽  
pp. E4681-E4688 ◽  
Author(s):  
William J. Parton ◽  
Myron P. Gutmann ◽  
Emily R. Merchant ◽  
Melannie D. Hartman ◽  
Paul R. Adler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Great Plains ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Census Data ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
The United States ◽  
Global Market ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Nitrous Oxide Emissions ◽  
Ghg Fluxes

The Great Plains region of the United States is an agricultural production center for the global market and, as such, an important source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This article uses historical agricultural census data and ecosystem models to estimate the magnitude of annual GHG fluxes from all agricultural sources (e.g., cropping, livestock raising, irrigation, fertilizer production, tractor use) in the Great Plains from 1870 to 2000. Here, we show that carbon (C) released during the plow-out of native grasslands was the largest source of GHG emissions before 1930, whereas livestock production, direct energy use, and soil nitrous oxide emissions are currently the largest sources. Climatic factors mediate these emissions, with cool and wet weather promoting C sequestration and hot and dry weather increasing GHG release. This analysis demonstrates the long-term ecosystem consequences of both historical and current agricultural activities, but also indicates that adoption of available alternative management practices could substantially mitigate agricultural GHG fluxes, ranging from a 34% reduction with a 25% adoption rate to as much as complete elimination with possible net sequestration of C when a greater proportion of farmers adopt new agricultural practices.

scholarly journals Crop nutrient management using Nutrient Expert improves yield, increases farmers’ income and reduces greenhouse gas emissions

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tek B. Sapkota ◽  
Mangi L. Jat ◽  
Dharamvir S. Rana ◽  
Arun Khatri-Chhetri ◽  
Hanuman S. Jat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Crop Yield ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Fertilizer Use ◽  
Fertilizer Recommendation ◽  
Crop Type

AbstractReduction of excess nutrient application and balanced fertilizer use are the key mitigation options in agriculture. We evaluated Nutrient Expert (NE) tool-based site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) in rice and wheat crops by establishing 1594 side-by-side comparison trials with farmers’ fertilization practices (FFP) across the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) of India. We found that NE-based fertilizer management can lower global warming potential (GWP) by about 2.5% in rice, and between 12 and 20% in wheat over FFP. More than 80% of the participating farmers increased their crop yield and farm income by applying the NE-based fertilizer recommendation. We also observed that increased crop yield and reduced fertilizer consumption and associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by using NE was significantly influenced by the crop type, agro-ecology, soil properties and farmers’ current level of fertilization. Adoption of NE-based fertilizer recommendation practice in all rice and wheat acreage in India would translate into 13.92 million tonnes (Mt) more rice and wheat production with 1.44 Mt less N fertilizer use, and a reduction in GHG of 5.34 Mt CO2e per year over farmers’ current practice. Our study establishes the utility of NE to help implement SSNM in smallholder production systems for increasing crop yields and farmers’ income while reducing GHG emissions.

scholarly journals Hydrological, geochemical and land use drivers of greenhouse gas dynamics in eleven sub-tropical streams

2021 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke F. Andrews ◽  
Praktan D. Wadnerkar ◽  
Shane A. White ◽  
Xiaogang Chen ◽  
Rogger E. Correa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Gas Dynamics ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Tropical Streams ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
Freshwater Streams ◽  
Australian Freshwater

AbstractGreenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from freshwater streams are poorly quantified in sub-tropical climates, especially in the southern hemisphere where land use is rapidly changing. Here, we examined the distribution, potential drivers, and emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) from eleven Australian freshwater streams with varying catchment land uses yet similar hydrology, geomorphology, and climate. These sub-tropical streams were a source of CO2 (74 ± 39 mmol m−2 day−1), CH4 (0.04 ± 0.06 mmol m−2 day−1), and N2O (4.01 ± 5.98 µmol m−2 day−1) to the atmosphere. CO2 accounted for ~ 97% of all CO2-equivalent emissions with CH4 (~ 1.5%) and N2O (~ 1.5%) playing a minor role. Episodic rainfall events drove changes in stream GHG due to the release of soil NOx (nitrate + nitrite) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Groundwater discharge as traced by radon (222Rn, a natural groundwater tracer) was not an apparent source of CO2 and CH4, but was a source of N2O in both agricultural and forest catchments. Land use played a subtle role on greenhouse gas dynamics. CO2 and CH4 increased with catchment forest cover during the wet period, while N2O and CH4 increased with agricultural catchment area during the dry period. Overall, this study showed how DOC and NOx, land use, and rainfall events interact to drive spatial and temporal dynamics of GHG emissions in sub-tropical streams using multiple linear regression modelling. Increasing intensive agricultural land use will likely decrease regional CO2 and CH4 emissions, but increase N2O.

scholarly journals Application of Farmyard Manure Rather Than Manure Slurry Mitigates the Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Herbage Production System in Nasu, Japan

Atmosphere ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akinori Mori
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Farmyard Manure ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Grassland Management ◽  
N2o Emissions ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Synthetic Fertilizer ◽  
Manure Slurry ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2

In Japan, it is important to recycle the nutrients in manure for forage production because most dairy cattle are fed inside, mainly with imported grain and home-grown roughage. To understand the overall effect of manure use on grassland on the net greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and GHG intensity of herbage production systems, the integrated evaluation of emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) is essential. The objective of this study was to compare the net GHG emissions (expressed in CO2-eq ha−1 y−1) and GHG intensity (expressed in CO2-eq Mg–1 dry matter yield) of herbage production based on manure slurry + synthetic fertilizer (slurry system) with that based on farmyard manure + synthetic fertilizer (FYM system). Calculations of net GHG emissions and GHG intensity took into account the net ecosystem carbon balance (NECB) in grassland, the CH4 and N2O emissions from grassland, and GHG emissions related to cattle waste management, synthetic fertilizer manufacture, and fuel consumption for grassland management based on literature data from previous studies. The net GHG emissions and GHG intensity were 36% (6.9 Mg CO2-eq ha−1 y−1) and 41% (0.89 Mg CO2-eq Mg−1), respectively, lower in the FYM system.

scholarly journals Greenhouse Gas Abatement Potentials and Economics of Selected Biochemicals in Germany

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 2230
Author(s):  
Frazer Musonda ◽  
Markus Millinger ◽  
Daniela Thrän
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Succinic Acid ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Mathematical Optimization ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Carbon Price ◽  
Abatement Costs ◽  
Technological Readiness

In this paper, biochemicals with the potential to substitute fossil reference chemicals in Germany were identified using technological readiness and substitution potential criteria. Their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were quantified by using life cycle assessments (LCA) and their economic viabilities were determined by comparing their minimum selling prices with fossil references’ market prices. A bottom up mathematical optimization model, BioENergy OPTimization (BENOPT) was used to investigate the GHG abatement potential and the corresponding abatement costs for the biochemicals up to 2050. BENOPT determines the optimal biomass allocation pathways based on maximizing GHG abatement under resource, capacity, and demand constraints. The identified biochemicals were bioethylene, succinic acid, polylactic acid (PLA), and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). Results show that only succinic acid is economically competitive. Bioethylene which is the least performing in terms of economics breaks even at a carbon price of 420 euros per ton carbon dioxide equivalent (€/tCO2eq). With full tax waivers, a carbon price of 134 €/tCO2eq is necessary. This would result in positive margins for PHA and PLA of 12% and 16%, respectively. From the available agricultural land, modeling results show high sensitivity to assumptions of carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration in biochemicals and integrated biochemicals production. GHG abatement for scenarios where these assumptions were disregarded and where they were collectively taken into account increased by 370% resulting in a 75% reduction in the corresponding GHG abatement costs.

scholarly journals Greenhouse gas emissions from tropical coastal wetlands and their alternative agricultural lands: Where significant mitigation gains lie

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naima Iram ◽  
Emad Kavehei ◽  
Damien T. Maher ◽  
Stuart E. Bunn ◽  
Mehran Rezaei Rashti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Coastal Wetlands ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
N2o Emissions ◽  
Co2 Fluxes ◽  
Agricultural Lands ◽  
Ghg Mitigation

Abstract. Tidal coastal wetlands are significant to the global carbon budgets through carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas (GHG; CO2, CH4 and N2O) emissions. The conversion of tidal coastal wetlands to agriculture land alters soil processes changing GHG emissions. The GHG emissions associated with land-use change are important for restoration strategies that rely upon financial incentives such as carbon credits. We measured GHG fluxes from mangroves, saltmarsh and freshwater tidal forest and their alternative agricultural lands including sugarcane and ponded pastures. We investigated seasonal variations between June 2018 and February 2020 in tropical. Australia. The wet ponded pasture had by far the highest CH4 emissions with 1,231 ± 386 mg m−2 d−1, which were 200-fold higher than any other land use. Agricultural lands were the most significant sources of N2O emissions with 55 ± 9 mg m−2 d−1 from dry ponded pasture (wet-hot period) and 11 ± 3 mg m−2 d−1 from sugar cane (hot-dry period), coinciding with fertilisation. The N2O fluxes from the tidal coastal wetlands ranged between −0.55 ± 0.23 and 2.76 ± 0.45 mg m−2 d−1 throughout the study period. The highest CO2 fluxes of 20 ± 1 g m−2 d−1 were from the dry ponded pasture during the wet-hot period, while the saltmarsh had the lowest CO2 fluxes having an uptake of −1.19 ± 0.08 g m−2 d−1 in the dry-hot period. Overall, agricultural lands had significantly higher total cumulative GHG emissions (CH4 + N2O) of 7142 to 56,124 CO2-eq kg ha−1 y−1 compared to those of any type of tidal coastal wetlands, which ranged between 144 and 884 CO2-eq kg ha−1 y−1. Converting agricultural land, particularly wet ponded pasture, to tidal coastal wetlands could provide large GHG mitigation gains and potential financial incentives.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document