Nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide and methane emissions from irrigated cropping systems as influenced by legumes, manure and fertilizer

2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
B H Ellert ◽  
H H Janzen

Irrigated land in southern Alberta is intensively managed, producing high yields but also requiring higher inputs, notably of nitrogen (N), than adjacent rainfed lands. The higher N inputs, combined with enhanced soil moisture, might stimulate nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, but the influence of management on these emissions has not been widely studied. Our objective was to assess soil N2O emissions, along with those of carbon dioxide (CO2) and of methane (CH4), from irrigated cropping systems as influenced by source of N. We used a chamber technique to measure year-round emissions for 3 yr in long-term irrigated crop rotations receiving N as legume crop residues, non-legume crop residues, livestock manure or ammonium nitrate fertilizer. Unlike CO2 fluxes, which peaked during the growing season, those of N2O showed no consistent seasonal trends; emissions occurred sporadically in bursts throughout the year. Depending on management practices, 0.4 to 4.0 kg N2O-N ha-1 yr-1 was emitted to the atmosphere. The amount of N2O emitted from the alfalfa system, averaged over all manure and fertilizer N amendments, was more than twofold that emitted from the corn system. The proportions of fertilizer-N released as N2O were 0.95% for the alfalfa system and 1.30% for the corn system. After livestock manure or legume residues were incorporated, soil CO2 and N2O emissions appeared to be intertwined, but during the early spring N2O emissions were decoupled from CO2. Furthermore, N2O emissions were highly variable in space; at three of 54 chambers, N2O fluxes were consistently 12 to 55 times greater than those for other chambers in the same treatment. Such complexity conceals the underlying processes of net N2O production and transport to the soil surface. Key words: Greenhouse gas, fluxes, carbon dioxide, methane, flux chamber, alfalfa, silage corn, fababean, manure, fertilizer, N inputs, N2O leakage, legumes

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 1595-1613 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. V. Thomas ◽  
Y. Malhi ◽  
K. M. Fenn ◽  
J. B. Fisher ◽  
M. D. Morecroft ◽  
...  

Abstract. We present results from a study of canopy-atmosphere fluxes of carbon dioxide from 2007 to 2009 above a site in Wytham Woods, an ancient temperate broadleaved deciduous forest in southern England. Gap-filled net ecosystem exchange (NEE) data were partitioned into gross primary productivity (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (Re) and analysed on daily, monthly and annual timescales. Over the continuous 24 month study period annual GPP was estimated to be 21.1 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 and Re to be 19.8 Mg C ha−1 yr−1; net ecosystem productivity (NEP) was 1.2 Mg C ha−1 yr−1. These estimates were compared with independent bottom-up estimates derived from net primary productivity (NPP) and flux chamber measurements recorded at a plot within the flux footprint in 2008 (GPP = 26.5 ± 6.8 Mg C ha−1 yr−1, Re = 24.8 ± 6.8 Mg C ha−1 yr−1, biomass increment = ~1.7 Mg C ha−1 yr−1). Over the two years the difference in seasonal NEP was predominantly caused by changes in ecosystem respiration, whereas GPP remained similar for equivalent months in different years. Although solar radiation was the largest influence on daily values of CO2 fluxes (R2 = 0.53 for the summer months for a linear regression), variation in Re appeared to be driven by temperature. Our findings suggest that this ancient woodland site is currently a substantial sink for carbon, resulting from continued growth that is probably a legacy of past management practices abandoned over 40 years ago. Our GPP and Re values are generally higher than other broadleaved temperate deciduous woodlands and may represent the influence of the UK's maritime climate, or the particular species composition of this site. The carbon sink value of Wytham Woods supports the protection and management of temperate deciduous woodlands (including those managed for conservation rather than silvicultural objectives) as a strategy to mitigate atmospheric carbon dioxide increases.


1996 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 339-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.L. Velthof ◽  
J.G. Koops ◽  
J.H. Duyzer ◽  
O. Oenema

Three measurement campaigns were carried out to answer questions related to the factors controlling variations in nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes from intensively managed grassland on peat soil, comparison of flux measurements with a closed flux chamber method and a flux gradient technique and the development and testing of a simple empirical model for the estimation of N2O fluxes from intensively managed grassland on peat soils. Fluxes of N2O were measured with 42-48 flux chambers and ranged from less than 0.01 to 6.66 mg N/msuperscript 2 per hr. Fluxes were significantly correlated with denitrification activity (Rsuperscript 2=0.34-0.56). Contents of nitrate (NO3-) and ammonium (NH4+) in the top soil and the water-filled pore space (WFPS) explained 37-77% of the variance in N2O flux. Spatial variability of N2O fluxes was large with coefficients of variation ranging from 101 to 320%. Spatial variability was suggested to be related to distribution of mineral N fertilizer and cattle slurry, urine and dung patches and variations in groundwater level within the field. Average field fluxes obtained with the closed flux chamber method were about a factor 10 larger than those with the flux gradient technique on one measurement day but were similar on two other measurement days. The results of the measurement campaigns were used to derive a simple empirical model including total mineral N content and WFPS. This model was tested using an independent data set, i.e. the results of a monitoring study of two years carried out on two other grassland sites on peat soil. The model reasonably predicted magnitude of and temporal variations in N2O fluxes. It is suggested that a simple empirical model which requires only easily obtainable data such as mineral N content and moisture content, in combination with a few days lasting measurement campaigns, may be a valuable tool to predict N2O fluxes from similar sites.


Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1633
Author(s):  
Christoph Emmerling ◽  
Andreas Krein ◽  
Jürgen Junk

The intensification of livestock production, to accommodate rising human population, has led to a higher emission of ammonia into the environment. For the reduction of ammonia emissions, different management steps have been reported in most EU countries. Some authors, however, have criticized such individual measures, because attempts to abate the emission of ammonia may lead to significant increases in either methane, nitrous oxide, or carbon dioxide. In this study, we carried out a meta-analysis of experimental European data published in peer-reviewed journals to evaluate the impact of major agricultural management practices on ammonia emissions, including the pollution swapping effect. The result of our meta-analysis showed that for the treatment, storage, and application stages, only slurry acidification was effective for the reduction of ammonia emissions (−69%), and had no pollution swapping effect with other greenhouse gases, like nitrous oxide (−21%), methane (−86%), and carbon dioxide (−15%). All other management strategies, like biological treatment, separation strategies, different storage types, the concealing of the liquid slurry with different materials, and variable field applications were effective to varying degrees for the abatement of ammonia emission, but also resulted in the increased emission of at least one other greenhouse gas. The strategies focusing on the decrease of ammonia emissions neglected the consequences of the emissions of other greenhouse gases. We recommend a combination of treatment technologies, like acidification and soil incorporation, and/or embracing emerging technologies, such as microbial inhibitors and slow release fertilizers.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 929-952
Author(s):  
Martin A. Bolinder ◽  
Felicity Crotty ◽  
Annemie Elsen ◽  
Magdalena Frac ◽  
Tamás Kismányoky ◽  
...  

Abstract International initiatives are emphasizing the capture of atmospheric CO2 in soil organic C (SOC) to reduce the climatic footprint from agroecosystems. One approach to quantify the contribution of management practices towards that goal is through analysis of long-term experiments (LTEs). Our objectives were to analyze knowledge gained in literature reviews on SOC changes in LTEs, to evaluate the results regarding interactions with pedo-climatological factors, and to discuss disparities among reviews in data selection criteria. We summarized mean response ratios (RRs) and stock change rate (SCR) effect size indices from twenty reviews using paired comparisons (N). The highest RRs were found with manure applications (30%, N = 418), followed by aboveground crop residue retention and the use of cover crops (9–10%, N = 995 and 129), while the effect of nitrogen fertilization was lowest (6%, N = 846). SCR for nitrogen fertilization exceeded that for aboveground crop residue retention (233 versus 117 kg C ha−1 year−1, N = 183 and 279) and was highest for manure applications and cover crops (409 and 331 kg C ha−1 year−1, N = 217 and 176). When data allows, we recommend calculating both RR and SCR because it improves the interpretation. Our synthesis shows that results are not always consistent among reviews and that interaction with texture and climate remain inconclusive. Selection criteria for study durations are highly variable, resulting in irregular conclusions for the effect of time on changes in SOC. We also discuss the relationships of SOC changes with yield and cropping systems, as well as conceptual problems when scaling-up results obtained from field studies to regional levels.


1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. F. MacKenzie ◽  
M. X. Fan ◽  
F. Cadrin

Nitrous oxide (N2O) produced from agricultural activities represents a threat to the ozone layer and economic losses. Rates and magnitudes of N2O emissions of cropping systems must be determined to establish corrective management procedures. In 1994, N2O emissions were determined with corn (ZeaMays L.) and corn-legume rotations. Continuous corn was studied on four soils, two from a long-term experiment, a Ste. Rosalie heavy clay (Humic Gleysol) and a Chicot sandy loam (Grey-Brown Podzol), at 0, 170, 285 or 400 kg N ha−1, and two from a corn rotation study, a Ste. Rosalie clay (Humic Gleysol) and an Ormstown silty clay loam (Humic Gleysol). Treatments included no-till (NT) and conventional tillage (CT), monoculture corn (CCCC), monoculture soybean; corn-soybean; and soybean-corn-alfalfa phased rotations. Nitrogen rates of 0, 90, or 180 kg N ha−1 for corn and 0, 20, or 40 kg N ha−1 for continuous soybean were used, and soybean/alfalfa following corn no fertilizer N. Rates of N2O emission were measured from closed chambers through the growing season. About 0.99 to 2.1% of N added was lost as N2O. Nitrous oxide emission increased with increased soil water content, NO3 concentration and fertilizer N rates. Emission of N2O was higher with NT than with CT, and with corn than with soybean or alfalfa. A corn system using CT, legumes in rotation and moderate fertilizer N would reduce N2O emission. Key words: Greenhouse gases, soil nitrate, tillage methods, water-filled pore space, denitrification, rotations


1984 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. RENNIE ◽  
M. HEIMO

Cool soil temperature regimes with initial soil temperatures of 5 °C rising to 20 °C at the heading stage reduced the rate of growth of barley by approximately one-third compared to 15–25 °C but did not change the barley yield or the fate of the applied fertilizer N in the soil biomass, roots, or tops of the plant or that lost by denitrification. The primary isotope data, % Ndff or ’A’ values remained relatively constant irrespective of whether the straw was placed on the surface or mixed throughout the soil. In contrast, the nitrogen balance data verified that fertilizer N loss, presumably due to denitrification, was as high as 35% in certain treatments, and further that up to 40% of the added fertilizer N was immobilized where the straw was uniformly mixed in the soil. The nitrogen balance data were used to correct the original rate of fertilizer N application. When this was done, A values calculated on the basis of the revised rates of application showed that the amount of soil N which was denitrified or immobilized was approximately double that of the applied fertilizer N. Thus, it is possible where a N balance is included in an investigation to quantitatively assess the effect of management practices on available soil N. It is further concluded that differential immobilization or denitrification of the 15N fertilizer standard may invalidate yield-dependent isotope-derived data, such as dinitrogen fixation unless nitrogen balance data are available to permit the appropriate corrections to be made. Key words: Zero till, N-cycle, temperature, crop residues, barley


2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 381-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aroldo Marochi ◽  
Antonio Ferreira ◽  
Hudson Kagueyama Takano ◽  
Rubem Silvério Oliveira Junior ◽  
Ramiro Fernando Lopez Ovejero

ABSTRACT Herbicide resistance has become a major concern for agricultural systems, and integrating weed management practices seem to be the most promise way for its mitigation. The effects of cropping systems including ruzigrass (Urochloa ruziziensis) associated with herbicide rotation programs were evaluated for the management of glyphosate resistant conyza (Conyza sumatrensis) and sourgrass (Digitaria insularis) in soybean and corn production systems. A 3x3 factorial was evaluated in four consecutive soybean (spring-summer) and corn (fall-winter) double cropping seasons. Factor A consisted of three combinations of cropping systems in the fall-winter: corn, corn plus ruzigrass, and ruzigrass alone. Factor B was based on increasing levels of diversity in herbicide mode of action over the four-year period (5, 8, and 11 MoAs). The results indicate that using ruzigrass significantly increased soil coverage by cover crop residues. In general, the cover crop was more efficient for conyza than for sourgrass control, whereas herbicide programs provided greater control on sourgrass than on conyza. Besides the weed suppression effect, the accumulation of ruzigrass biomass on the soil surface during the fall-winter also improved yield of soybean in the spring-summer. The integration of ruzigrass as a cover crop and the use of herbicide programs with multiple modes of action can provide efficient control of glyphosate-resistant conyza and sourgrass. The use of only one of these strategies was not effective in most cases, especially for the long term.


Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 982
Author(s):  
Cristina Menta ◽  
Federica Delia Conti ◽  
Carlos Lozano Fondón ◽  
Francesca Staffilani ◽  
Sara Remelli

The EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP 2014–2020) on soil management points to the combination of sustainable food production with environmental protection, reduction of CO2 emissions, and safeguarding of soil biodiversity. In this study, three farms (in the Emilia-Romagna region), managed with both conventional and conservation practices (the last ones with and without sub-irrigation systems), were monitored from 2014 to 2017 to highlight the impact of different crops and soil managements on soil arthropods, in terms of abundance, composition, and soil biological quality (applying QBS-ar index). To do this, linear mixed models were performed, whereas arthropods assemblages were studied through PERMANOVA and SIMPER analysis. Soil communities varied among farms, although most differences were found among crops depending on management practices. Nonetheless, conservation systems and a wider reduction in anthropogenic practices provided better conditions for soil fauna, enhancing QBS-ar. Moreover, arthropod groups responded to soil practices differently, highlighting their sensitivity to agricultural management. Community assemblages in corn and wheat differed between managements, mainly due to Acari and Collembola, respectively. In conservation management, wheat showed the overall greatest abundance of arthropods, owing to the great number of Acari, Collembola, and Hymenoptera, while the number of arthropod groups were generally higher in crop residues of forage.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Di Bene ◽  
Alessandro Marchetti ◽  
Rosa Francaviglia ◽  
Roberta Farina

Mediterranean agricultural areas are dominated by cropping systems based on winter cereals crops, summer irrigated crops, forage-based systems, and mixed succession with bare fallow. Soil organic carbon (SOC) is widely used to assess the environmental performance of these cropping systems, since it is strongly influenced by management practices and environmental conditions. This study evaluates the sustainability of representative intensive cropping systems of southern Italy, in terms of SOC stock changes and CO<sub>2</sub> emissions in the long-term perspective, using a process-based model (RothC10N) combined with a GIS-based spatialization procedure. On the basis of SOC modelling, results showed that crop management practices currently adopted by farmers did not guarantee SOC sequestration in all the rotations (-4.29 Mg C ha<sup>–1</sup>). The sustainability of cropping systems can be improved through management practices such as the retention of crop residues into the field and/or the rational use of irrigation for the summer crop (6.73 Mg C ha<sup>–1</sup>). This finding could help policy makers to provide suggestions for a more effective local implementation of agro-environmental measures.


Land ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 32
Author(s):  
Mark Liebig ◽  
David Archer ◽  
Jonathan Halvorson ◽  
Holly Johnson ◽  
Nicanor Saliendra ◽  
...  

Investigations of global warming potential (GWP) of semiarid cropping systems are needed to ascertain agriculture’s contributions to climate regulation services. This study sought to determine net GWP for three semiarid cropping systems under no-tillage management in the northern Great Plains of North America: spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)—fallow (SW-F), continuous spring wheat (CSW) and spring wheat—safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)—rye (Secale cereale L.) (SW-S-R). Management records, coupled with published carbon dioxide (CO2) emission estimates, were used to determine emissions from production inputs and field operations. Static chamber methodology was used to measure soil-atmosphere methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes over a 3-year period and changes in profile soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks were determined over 18 years. Carbon dioxide emissions associated with production inputs and field operations were greatest for CSW, intermediate for SW-S-R and lowest for SW-F. All cropping systems were minor CH4 sinks (≤0.5 kg CH4-C ha−1 yr−1) and moderate N2O sources (1.0 to 2.8 kg N2O-N ha−1 yr−1). No differences in SOC stocks were observed among cropping systems (P = 0.78), nor did SOC stocks change significantly from baseline conditions (P = 0.82). Summing across factors, net GWP was positive for SW-F and CSW, implying net greenhouse gas (GHG) emission to the atmosphere, while net GWP for SW-S-R was negative, implying net GHG uptake. Net GWP, however, did not differ among cropping systems (P = 0.17). Management practices that concurrently improve N use efficiency and increase SOC stocks are needed for semiarid cropping systems to be net GHG sinks.


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