Gaseous carbon emission in relation to soil carbon fractions and microbial diversities as affected by organic amendments in tropical rice soil

The interactive effects of moisture and organic amendments (farmyard manure (FYM), crop residue (CR) and green manure (GM) (Sesbania aculeata) on gaseous carbon (C) emission, soil labile C fractions, enzymatic activities and microbial diversity in tropical, flooded rice soil were investigated. The amendments were applied on equal C basis in two moisture regimes, that is, aerobic and submergence conditions. The CO₂ production was significantly higher by 22% in aerobic than in submergence condition; on the contrary, the CH₄ production was 27% higher under submergence condition. The labile C fractions were significantly higher in GM by 26% under aerobic and 30% under submergence conditions, respectively, than control (without any kind of fertilizer or amendments). Eubacterial diversity identified by PCR-DGGE method (polymerase chain reaction coupled with denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis) was higher under GM followed by FYM, CR, and control and it is pronounced in submerged condition. GM favored the labile C accumulation and biological activities under both submergence and aerobic conditions, which makes it most active for soil–plant interactions compared to other organic amendments. Considering environmental sustainability, the use of GM is the better adoptable option, which could enhance labile C pools, microbial diversities in soil and keep soil biologically more active.     

Effect of rates and sources of nitrogen on rice yield,nitrogen efficiency,and methane emission from irrigated rice cultivation

The agronomic benefits of manure application to increase rice production have been recognized, but the impact on global change has always been a controversial topic. This study was designed to determine the separate and combined effects of cattle manure (CM) and nitrogen (N) fertilizer on rice yield, N efficiency, and methane (CH₄) emissions from rice cultivation. A pot-scale experiment was conducted with four levels (0, 60, 120, and 180 kg ha^?1) of N from urea and two levels (120 and 180 kg ha^?1) of N from combination of urea and CM (Urea:CM = 60:60 and 60:120). Rice yield and physiological N efficiency were obtained using agronomic measurements. To determine the global warming potential (GWP) of each treatment, CH₄ emissions were measured throughout the rice-growing period. Grain yield (GY) was not significantly different between the treatments of 120 and 180 kg ha^?1 regardless of N source. However, both rates of CM treatments enhanced CH₄ emission and differences in GWP were significant. In conclusion, urea applied at 120 kg N ha^?1 was optimal for rice productivity and environmental impact (EI) despite CM played a crucial role in improving the N efficiency and total N in the soil after harvest.     

Evaluation of the soil carbon budget under different upland cropping systems in central Hokkaido,Japan

Abstract

To evaluate the carbon budget in soils under different cropping systems, the carbon dioxide (CO₂) flux from soils was measured in a total of 11 upland crop fields within a small watershed in central Hokkaido over the no snow cover months for 3 years. The CO₂ flux was measured using a closed chamber method at bare plots established in each field to estimate soil organic matter decomposition. Temporal variation in instantaneous soil CO₂ fluxes within the sites was mainly controlled by soil temperature and moisture. Annual mean CO₂ fluxes and cumulative CO₂ emissions had no significant relationship with soil temperature and moisture (P > 0.2). However, there was a significant quadratic relationship between annual mean CO₂ flux or cumulative CO₂ emission and soil clay plus silt content (%) (R² = 0.72～0.74, P < 0.0003). According to this relationship, the optimum condition for soil CO₂ emission is at a clay plus silt content of 63%. The cumulative CO₂ emission during the no snow cover season within each year varied from 1,159 to 7,349 kg C ha^?1 at the different sites. The amount of crop residue carbon retained in the soils following a cropping season was not enough to offset the CO₂ emission from soil organic matter decomposition at all sites. As a consequence, the calculation of the soil carbon budget (i.e. the difference between the carbon added as crop residues and compost and the carbon lost as CO₂ from organic matter decomposition) ranged from –7,349 to –785 kg C ha^?1, except for a wheat site where a positive value of 4,901 kg C ha^?1 was observed because of a large input of organic carbon with compost. The negative values of the soil carbon budget indicate that these cropping systems were net sources of atmospheric CO₂.     

Effects of bamboo biochar application on global warming in paddy fields in Ehime prefecture,Southern Japan

Biochar application can reduce global warming via carbon (C) sequestration in soils. However, there are few studies investigating its effects on greenhouse gases in rice (Oryza sativa L.) paddy fields throughout the year. In this study, a year-round field experiment was performed in rice paddy fields to investigate the effects of biochar application on methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions and C budget. The study was conducted on three rice paddy fields in Ehime prefecture, Japan, for 2 years. Control (Co) and biochar (B) treatments, in which 2-cm size bamboo biochar (2 Mg ha^?1) was applied, were set up in the first year. CH₄ and N₂O emissions and heterotrophic respiration (Rh) were measured using a closed-chamber method. In the fallow season, the mean N₂O emission during the experimental period was significantly lower in B (67 g N ha^?1) than Co (147 g N ha^?1). However, the mean CH₄ emission was slightly higher in B (2.3 kg C ha^?1) than Co (1.2 kg C ha^?1) in fallow season. The water-filled pore space increased more during the fallow season in B than Co. In B, soil was reduced more than in Co due to increasing soil moisture, which decreased N₂O and increased CH₄ emissions in the fallow season. In the rice-growing season, the mean N₂O emission tended to be lower in B (?104 g N ha^?1) than Co (?13 g N ha^?1), while mean CH₄ emission was similar between B (183 kg C ha^?1) and Co (173 kg C ha^?1). Due to the C release from applied biochar and soil organic C in the first year, Rh in B was higher than that in Co. The net greenhouse gas emission for 2 years considering biochar C, plant residue C, CH₄ and N₂O emissions, and Rh was lower in B (5.53 Mg CO₂eq ha^?1) than Co (11.1 Mg CO₂eq ha^?1). Biochar application worked for C accumulation, increasing plant residue C input, and mitigating N₂O emission by improving soil environmental conditions. This suggests that bamboo biochar application in paddy fields could aid in mitigating global warming.     

Nitrate leaching,nitrous oxide emission and N use efficiency of aerobic rice under different N application strategy

A field study was conducted in the sub-humid tropical region of India to examine the effect of different nitrogen (N) management strategies on nitrate leaching, nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission and N use efficiency in aerobic rice. Treatments were: control (no N), 120 kg N ha^?1 applied as prilled urea (PU) in conventional method, 120 kg N ha^?1 applied as neem coated urea (NCU) in conventional method, N applied as PU on the basis of leaf colour chart (LCC) reading, N applied as NCU on the basis of LCC reading, and 120 kg N ha^?1 applied as PU and farm yard manure (FYM) in 1:1 ratio. Results showed that 3.4–16.1 kg NO₃-N ha^?1 was leached below 45 cm depth and 0.61–1.12 kg N₂O-N ha^?1 was emitted from aerobic rice during the growing season. NCU when applied conventionally reduced nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃-N) leaching and N₂O emission by 18.6% and 21.4%, respectively However when applied on the basis of LCC reading NCU reduced NO₃-N leaching by 39.8% as compared to PU applied in conventional method. NCU when applied on the basis of LCC reading synchronized N supply with demand and reduced N loss, which resulted in higher yield and N use efficiency.     

Effect of sulphur on biochemical parameters of rapeseed (Brassica campestris L.) in grey terrace soil

An experiment was conducted to study the biochemical response of rapeseed (Brassica campestris L.) to sulphur (S) fertilization at grey terrace soil. There were five treatments: S₀ (control), S₁ (20 kg S ha^?1), S₂ (40 kg S ha^?1), S₃ (60 kg S ha^?1) and S₄ (80 kg S ha^?1). Chlorophyll content in the leaf was determined at 30, 40, 50 and 60 days after emergence (DAE). The biochemical properties were found responsive to S. The highest chlorophyll content of mustard leaves was found in 60 kg S ha^?1 at 50 DAE. The same treatment also showed the maximum N content in the leaves at 45 DAE. The highest oil content was recorded in 60 kg S ha^?1. Other chemical characters such as acid value, peroxide and saponification values were lowest in 60 kg S ha^?1 while iodine value was found highest in the same S level. Non-essential fatty acids such as palmitic, stearic and erucic acid were increased in the rapeseed with decrease in S level, whereas essential fatty acids were maximum in 60 kg S ha^?1. Therefore, 60 kg S ha^?1 can be recommended to produce quality rapeseed in grey terrace soil of Bangladesh.     

Changes of labile and recalcitrant carbon pools under nitrogen addition in a city lawn soil

Purpose

Carbon (C) flux is largely controlled by the highly bio-reactive labile C (LC) pool, while long-term C storage is determined by the recalcitrant C (RC) pool. Soil nitrogen (N) availability may considerably affect changes of these pools. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of N treatments on soil LC and RC pools.

Materials and methods

A field experiment was conducted in a city lawn soil for 600 days with three N treatments, i.e., the control (0 kg N ha^?1 year^?1), low-N (100 kg N ha^?1 year^?1), and high-N (200 kg N ha^?1 year^?1) treatments. As the N source, NH₄NO₃ solution was added to soil surface monthly. Measurements of LC, RC, and other soil biochemical properties, including pH, soil respiration rates, microbial biomass, and enzymes activities, were taken during the experiment period.

Results and discussion

The low-N and high-N treatments increased 6.3 and 13% of the LC pool, respectively, which was caused by decreased microbial biomass and soil respiration rates under the N treatments. By contrary, the low-N and high-N treatments decreased 5.9 and 12% of the RC pool, respectively. The N addition treatments enhanced phenol oxidase activities. The enhanced oxidase activities decreased new RC input and the increased dissolved organic C stimulated RC pool decomposition. The LC and RC pools were highly influenced by the N treatments, whereas effect of the N treatments on soil organic C was not significant. The N addition treatments also caused soil acidification and reduced bacterial biomass proportion in the soil microbial composition.

Conclusions

The N addition increased the LC pool but decreased the RC pool in the soil. These changes should greatly impact soil long-term C storage.     

Soil Moisture Controls the Denitrification Loss of Urea Nitrogen from Silty Clay Soil

Relative control of soil moisture [30, 60, and 80 percent water-holding capacity (WHC)] on nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from Fargo-Ryan soil, treated with urea at 0, 150, and 250 kg N ha^?1 with and without nitrapyrin [2-chloro-(6-trichloromethyl) pyridine] (NP), was measured under laboratory condition for 140 days. Soil N₂O emissions significantly increased with increasing nitrogen (N) rates and WHC levels. Urea applied at 250 kg N ha^?1 produced the greatest cumulative N₂O emissions and averaged 560, 3919, and 15894 µg kg^?1 at 30, 60, and 80 percent WHC, respectively. At WHC ≤ 60 percent, addition of NP to urea significantly reduced N₂O losses by 2.6- to 4.8-fold. Additions of NP to urea reduced N₂O emission at rates similar to the control (0 N) until 48 days for 30 percent WHC and 35 days for 60 and 80 percent WHC. These results can help devise urea-N fertilizer management strategies in reducing N₂O emissions from silty-clay soils.     

CO2, CH4 and N2O fluxes of upland black spruce (Picea mariana) forest soils after forest fires of different intensity in interior Alaska

Abstract

Forest fires can change the greenhouse gase (GHG) flux of borea forest soils. We measured carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) fluxes with different burn histories in black spruce (Picea mariana) stands in interior Alaska. The control forest (CF) burned in 1920; partially burned (PB) in 1999; and severely burned (SB1 and SB2) in 2004. The thickness of the organic layer was 22 ± 6 cm at CF, 28 ± 10 cm at PB, 12 ± 6 cm at SB1 and 4 ± 2 cm at SB2. The mean soil temperature during CO₂ flux measurement was 8.9 ± 3.1, 6.4 ± 2.1, 5.9 ± 3.4 and 5.0 ± 2.4°C at SB2, SB1, PB and CF, respectively, and differed significantly among the sites (P < 0.01). The mean CO₂ flux was highest at PB (128 ± 85 mg CO₂-C m^?2 h^?1) and lowest at SB1 (47 ± 19 mg CO₂-C m^?2 h^?1) (P < 0.01), and within each site it was positively correlated with soil temperature (P < 0.01). The CO₂ flux at SB2 was lower than that at CF when the soil temperature was high. We attributed the low CO₂ flux at SB1 and SB2 to low root respiration and organic matter decomposition rates due to the 2004 fire. The CH₄ uptake rate was highest at SB1 [–91 ± 21 μg CH₄-C m^?2 h^?1] (P < 0.01) and positively correlated with soil temperature (P < 0.01) but not soil moisture. The CH₄ uptake rate increased with increasing soil temperature because methanotroph activity increased. The N₂O flux was highest [3.6 ± 4.7 μg N₂O-N m^?2 h^?1] at PB (P < 0.01). Our findings suggest that the soil temperature and moisture are important factors of GHG dynamics in forest soils with different fire history.     

Agronomic evaluation of mulching and iron nutrition on productivity,nutrient uptake,iron use efficiency and economics of aerobic rice-wheat cropping system

Field experiments were carried out during rainy (kharif) and winter (rabi) seasons (June–April) of 2008–2010 at Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, to study the productivity, nutrients uptake, iron (Fe) use-efficiency and economics of aerobic rice-wheat cropping system as influenced by mulching and Fe nutrition. The highest yield attributes, grain and straw yields (5.41 tonnes ha^?1 and 6.56 tonnes ha^?1, respectively) and nutrient uptake in rice was recorded with transplanted and puddled rice (TPR) followed by aerobic rice with Sesbania aculeata mulch. However, residual effect of aerobic rice with wheat straw mulch was more pronounced on yield attributes, grain and straw yields (4.20 and 6.70 tonnes ha^?1, respectively) and nutrient uptake in succeeding wheat and remained at par with aerobic rice with Sesbania mulch. Application of iron sulfate (FeSO₄) at 50 kg ha^?1 + 2 foliar sprays of 2% FeSO₄ was found to be the best in terms of all the yield attributes, grain and straw yield (5.09 and 6.17 tonnes ha^?1, respectively) and nutrient uptake and remained at par with 3 foliar sprays of 2% FeSO₄. Although residual effect of iron application failed to increase the yield attributes, yield and nutrient uptake nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N, P, K) except Fe. The highest system productivity, nutrient uptake, gross returns, net returns, B: C ratio and lowest cost of cultivation were recorded with aerobic rice with wheat straw and Sesbania aculeata mulch. Application of FeSO₄ at 50 kg ha^?1 + two foliar sprays of 2% FeSO₄ was found better in respect of system productivity, nutrient uptake, gross returns, net returns, B:C ratio and cost of cultivation in aerobic rice-wheat cropping system. The Fe use efficiency values viz. partial factor productivity (kg grain kg^?1 Fe), agronomic efficiency (kg grain increased kg^?1 Fe applied), agrophysiological efficiency (kg grain kg^?1 Fe uptake), physiological efficiency (kg biomass kg^?1 Fe uptake), apparent recovery (%) utilization efficiency and harvest index (%) of applied Fe were significantly affected due to methods of rice production and various Fe nutrition treatments in aerobic rice and aerobic rice-wheat cropping system.     

Is burial of wheat straw in ditches a way to reduce CH4 emissions from rice cultivation?

Abstract

Burial of wheat straw in ditches and incorporation of wheat straw are the two main ways of returning wheat straw prior to rice cultivation in China. To examine the effect of burying wheat straw in ditches on CH₄ emissions from rice cultivation, a field experiment was conducted at Yixing, Jiangsu, China in 2004. CH₄ flux was measured using a closed-chamber technique in three treatments (CK, no wheat straw application; WI, evenly incorporating 3.75 t ha^?1 wheat straw into the 0.1 m topsoil; WD, burying 3.75 t ha^?1 wheat straw in 0.14-m deep by 0.25-m wide ditches). Seasonal CH₄ emissions ranged from 49.7 to 218.4 kg CH₄ ha^?1. The application of wheat straw in these two ways significantly increased CH₄ emissions by 4.0-fold and 4.4-fold, respectively (P < 0.05). Although CH₄ flux from the non-ditch area in the WD treatment was as low as that in the CK treatment, it was counter-balanced by extremely high CH₄ flux from the ditch, which was approximately 6.0-fold as much as that from WI, leading to comparability between treatments WI and WD in total CH₄ emissions (P > 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the three treatments in grain yield (P > 0.05). The results indicated that burial of wheat straw in ditches is not a way to reduce CH₄ emission from rice cultivation.     

Water Use and Soil Fertility under Rice–Wheat Cropping System in Response to Green Manuring and Zinc Nutrition

ABSTRACT

Soil fertility and water use are two important aspects that influence rice productivity. This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of in-situ (sesbania and rice bean) and ex-situ (subabul) green manuring along with zinc fertilization on water productivity and soil fertility in rice under rice–wheat cropping system at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India. Sesbania incorporation recorded higher total water productivity (2.20 and 3.24 kg ha^?1 mm^?1), available soil nutrients, organic carbon, alkaline phosphatase activity, microbial biomass carbon and increased soil dehydrogenase activity by 39.6 and 26.8% over subabul and rice bean respectively. Among interaction of green manures and zinc fertilization, subabul × foliar application of chelated zinc-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid at 20, 40, 60 and 80 days after transplanting recorded highest total water productivity (2.56 and 3.79 kg ha^?1 mm^?1). Foliar application of chelated Zn-EDTA at 20, 40, 60 and 80 days after transplanting recorded significantly higher water productivity than other Zn treatments, however it was statistically similar with foliar application of zinc at active tillering + flowering + grain filling. Sesbania × 5 kg Zn ha^?1 through chelated Zn-EDTA, recorded highest available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, manganese, copper and iron than other green manure and Zn fertilization interactions, although it was statistically similar with rice bean × 5 kg Zn ha^?1 through chelated Zn-EDTA as soil application. Sesbania × foliar application of 5 kg Zn ha^?1 through chelated Zn-EDTA as soil application recorded highest soil enzymatic activities and microbial biomass carbon.     

Long-term effects of fertilization and manuring on productivity and soil biological properties under rice (Oryza sativa)–wheat (Triticum aestivum) sequence in Mollisols

Long-term effects of chemical fertilizers and farmyard manure (FYM) in rice (Oryza sativa)–wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system were monitored for two consecutive years after 38 and 39 years on productivity and soil biological properties of Mollisols. The study encompasses varying chemical fertilizer levels of optimum fertilizer rate (120, 26 and 37 kg ha^?1 N, P and K, respectively) for both the crops. The treatments were application of 50% NPK, 100% NPK, 150% NPK, 100% NPK + hand weeding (HW), 100% NPK + Zn, 100% NP, 100% N, 100% NPK + 15 t FYM ha^?1, 100% NPK(-S) and unfertilized control. The rice and wheat yields were highest with 100% NPK + 15 t FYM ha^?1. This treatment also gave maximum and significantly more counts of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes in soil than all the other treatments after crop harvest. The soil microbial biomass C (410.0 and 407.5 µg g^?1) and N (44.53 and 48.30 µg g^?1) after rice and wheat, respectively, were highest with 100% NPK + 15 t FYM ha^?1, which were significantly higher over all the other treatments. The activities of soil enzymes like dehydrogenase, acid and alkaline phosphatase, arylsulphatase and urease and CO₂ evolution rate with 100% NPK + 15 t FYM ha^?1 were also found significantly higher over the other treatments. Fertilizer treatments with 100% NPK and 150% NPK were comparable and significantly better than application of 50% NPK, 100% N, 100% NP and 100% NPK(-S) in various studied soil biological properties. Integrated use of 100% NPK with FYM sustained the higher yields and soil biological properties under rice–wheat cropping system in Mollisols. Application of Zn and hand weeding with 100% NPK were found better over 100% NPK alone in rice and wheat productivity. Imbalanced use of chemical fertilizers had the harmful effect on soil biological health.     

Nitrous oxide emissions from wetland soil amended with inorganic and organic fertilizers

Agricultural soils are a primary source of anthropogenic trace gas emissions, and the subtropics contribute greatly, particularly since 51% of world soils are in these climate zones. A field experiment was carried out in an ephemeral wetland in central Zimbabwe in order to determine the effect of cattle manure (1.36% N) and mineral N fertilizer (ammonium nitrate, 34.5% N) application on N₂O fluxes from soil. Combined applications of 0 kg N fertilizer + 0 Mg cattle manure ha^?1 (control), 100 kg N fertilizer + 15 Mg manure ha^?1 and 200 kg N fertilizer + 30 Mg manure ha^?1 constituted the three treatments arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Tomato and rape crops were grown in rotation over a period of two seasons. Emissions of N₂O were sampled using the static chamber technique. Increasing N fertilizer and manure application rates from low to high rates increased the N₂O fluxes by 37–106%. When low and high rates were applied to the tomato and rape crops, 0.51%, 0.40%, and 0.93%, 0.64% of applied N was lost as N₂O, respectively. This implies that rape production has a greater N₂O emitting potential than the production of tomatoes in wetlands.     

Mitigation options for N2O emission from a corn field in Kalimantan,Indonesia

Abstract

Field experiments were designed to quantify N₂O emissions from corn fields after the application of different types of nitrogen fertilizers. Plots were established in South Kalimantan, Indonesia, and given either urea (200 kg ha^?1), urea (170 kg ha^?1) + dicyandiamide ([DCD] 20 kg ha^?1) or controlled-release fertilizer LP-30 (214 kg ha^?1) prior to the plantation of corn seeds (variety BISI 2). Each fertilizer treatment was equivalent to 90 kg N ha^?1. Plots without chemical N fertilizer were also prepared as a control. The field was designed to have three replicates for each treatment with a randomized block design. Nitrous oxide fluxes were measured at 4, 8, 12, 21, 31, 41, 51, 72 and 92 days after fertilizer application (DAFA). Total N₂O emission was the highest from the urea plots, followed by the LP-30 plots. The emissions from the urea + DCD plots did not differ from those from the control plots. The N₂O emission from the urea + DCD plots was approximately one thirtieth of that from the urea treatment. However, fertilizer type had no effect on grain yield. Thus, the use of urea + DCD is considered to be the best mitigation option among the tested fertilizer applications for N₂O emission from corn fields in Kalimantan, Indonesia.     

Effects of greenhouse intensive cultivation and organic amendments on greenhouse gas emission according to a soil incubation study

Soil cultivation changes and usage of agricultural wastes can have profound impacts on greenhouse gas (GHG) emission from soil. In this study, the effects of soil cultivation and organic amendment on GHG emission were investigated using aerobic incubation. Surface soil (0–20 cm) from (1) rice–legume consecutive rotation (Rice) and (2) recently (<3 years) converted from rice field to plastic-covered intensive vegetable and flower production (VegC) were collected in Kunming, P.R. China. Rose (Rosa rugosa Thunb.) residues and cattle manure were applied at 5% by weight. Results indicated that N₂O and CO₂ fluxes were significantly influenced by soil cultivation, organic amendment, incubation time and their interaction (p <0.05). Applying cattle manure increased, while rose residue decreased, cumulative N₂O emissions from soil (84 days). Rose residue application significantly increased cumulative CO₂ emissions with peak values of 6371 (Rice) and 7481 mg kg^?1 (VegC), followed by cattle manure addition figure of 2265 (VegC) and 3581 mg kg^?1 (Rice). Both were significantly higher (p <0.05) than the un-amended Control at 709 (VegC) and 904 mg kg^?1 (Rice). Our study demonstrates that a low C/N ratio in cattle manure is better than a high C/N ratio in rose residue in regard to reducing the global warming potential of agricultural soil.     

System productivity,nutrient use efficiency and apparent nutrient balance in rice-based cropping systems

A 2-year field experiment was conducted to assess system productivity, nutrient use efficiency and apparent balances of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in diversified rice-based cropping systems at Gazipur, Bangladesh. Four cropping systems: wheat–fallow–rice, maize–fallow–rice, potato–fallow–rice and mustard–fallow–rice in main plots and four nutrient combinations: NPK, NK, NP and PK in sub-plots were arranged in a split-plot design with three replications. Receiving the NPK treatment, all the component crops gave the highest yield, and omission of N from fertilizer package gave the lowest yield. The maize–rice system removed the highest amount of N (217 kg ha^?1), P (41 kg ha^?1) and K (227 kg ha^?1) followed by wheat–rice, potato–rice and the least in mustard–rice system. The wheat–rice and maize–rice system showed negative K balance of –35.5 and –60.4 kg ha^?1 in NPK treatment, while potato–rice system showed a positive K balance of 31.0 kg ha^–1 with NPK treatment. The N, P and K uptake and apparent recovery by the test crops may be used for site-specific nutrient management. The K rates for fertilizer recommendation in wheat and maize in Indo-Gangetic plain need to be revised to take account for the negative K balance in soil.     

Soil-Plant-Fertilizer Relationships in Turmeric Assessment of Soil-Plant-Fertilizer-Nutrient Relationships for Sustainable Productivity of Turmeric under Alfisols and Inceptisols in Southern India

Field experiments were conducted during 2005–2007 to test effects of nineteen treatments on turmeric rhizome yield in Alfisol at Utukur and Inceptisol at Jagtial in India. The treatments were comprised of nitrogen (N) at 0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha^?1; phosphorus (P) at 0, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha^?1; and potassium (K) at 0, 50, 100, and 150 kg ha^?1. Application of 180-120-100 kg ha^?1 NPK gave maximum yield of 4302 kg ha^?1 in Alfisols, whereas application of 120-80-100 kg ha^?1 gave 4817 kg ha^?1 in Inceptisols. Regression and principal component (PC) models were calibrated through soil-plant-fertilizer variables. The regression model gave significant R² of 0.75 in Alfisols compared to 0.88 in Inceptisols, whereas the PC model explained variance of 66.5 percent in Alfisols and 76.3 percent in Inceptisols. Regression model through PC scores gave R² of 0.54 in Alfisols and 0.47 in Inceptisols. Maximum sustainability yield indexes of 58.8 and 55.5 percent by 180-120-120 kg ha^?1 (Alfisol) and 67.1 and 60.6 percent by 120-80-100 kg ha^?1 (Inceptisol) were attained based on regression and PC models respectively.     

Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by no-tilling rice cultivation in Hachirogata polder,northern Japan: Life-cycle inventory analysis

Abstract

The scenarios for conventional puddling and no-tilling rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivation were compared in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from paddy fields, fuel consumption and manufacturing of invested materials using a life cycle inventory (LCI) based analysis. Only the differences between the scenarios were examined. The no-tilling scenario omitted both tilling and puddling, but included spraying of a non-selective herbicide and used a transplanter equipped with a rotor. Fertilization was a basal single application of controlled release fertilizer in nursery boxes for all scenarios. After transplanting, there were no differences in machine work, invested materials or rice yields between the scenarios. The no-tilling scenario saved on fuel consumption, totaling carbon dioxide (CO₂) output of 42 kg ha^?1, which was equal to the 6% reported GHG emissions from fuel consumption by operating machines during rice production in Japan. Methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from the paddy fields were also monitored and compared for the scenarios. Methane has a major effect on global warming as part of the GHG emitted from paddy fields. The cumulative CH₄ emissions from the no-tilling cultivation were 43% lower than those from conventional puddling cultivation because the plow layer was more oxidative in no-tilling cultivation. The N₂O emissions were not significantly different between the cultivation scenarios. There were no significant differences in soil respiration, soil carbon contents or straw yields between the cultivation scenarios. The effect of tillage on CO₂ flux in the paddy fields did not seem to be significant in this study. Consequently, the GHG emissions from the no-tilling field counted as CO₂ using global warming potentials were 1,741 kg CO₂ ha^?1 lower than those from the conventional puddling field. In conclusion, no-tilling rice cultivation has the potential to save 1,783 kg CO₂ ha^?1 calculated using the sum of fuel consumption and GHG emissions from paddy fields. No-tilling rice cultivation is considered to be environmentally friendly agriculture with respect to reducing GHG emissions.     

Effect of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on soil microbial activity and soil organic carbon build-up under rice in west coast of India

The effect of medium-term (5 years) application of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients (as mineral or inorganic fertilizers) on soil organic carbon (SOC), SOC stock, carbon (C) build-up rate, microbial and enzyme activities in flooded rice soils was tested in west coast of India. Compared to the application of vermicompost, glyricidia (Glyricidia maculate) (fresh) and eupatorium (Chromolaena adenophorum) (fresh) and dhaincha (Sesbania rostrata) (fresh), the application of farmyard manure (FYM) and combined application of paddy straw (dry) and water hyacinth (PsWh) (fresh) improved the SOC content significantly (p < 0.05). The lowest (p < 0.05) SOC content (0.81%) was observed in untreated control. The highest (p < 0.05) SOC stock (23.7 Mg C ha^?1) was observed in FYM-treated plots followed by recommended dose of mineral fertilizer (RDF) (23.2 Mg C ha^?1) and it was lowest (16.5 Mg C ha^?1) in untreated control. Soil microbial biomass carbon (C_mb) (246 µg g^?1 soil) and C_mb/SOC (1.92%) were highest (p < 0.05) in FYM-treated plot. The highest (p < 0.05) value of metabolic quotient (qCO₂) was recorded under RDF (19.7 µg CO₂-C g^?1 C_mb h^?1) and untreated control (19.6 µg CO₂-C g^?1 C_mb h^?1). Application of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients impacted soil enzyme activities significantly (p < 0.05) with FYM causing highest dehydrogenase (20.5 µg TPF g^?1 day^?1), phosphatase (659 µg PNP g^?1 h^?1) and urease (0.29 µg urea g^?1 h^?1) activities. Application of organic source of nutrients especially FYM improved the microbial and enzyme activities in flooded and transplanted rice soils. Although the grain yield was higher with the application of RDF, but the use of FYM as an organic agricultural practice is more useful when efforts are intended to conserve more SOC and improved microbial activity.