The effect of floating vegetation on CH<Subscript>4</Subscript> and N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O emissions from subtropical paddy fields in China

Duckweed (Lemna minor), a floating macrophyte belonging to the Lemnaceae family, is commonly found in subtropical paddy fields. This plant rapidly takes up nutrients from water and forms dense floating mats over the water surface that may impact the biogeochemical processes and greenhouse gas production in paddy fields. In this study, we measured CH₄ and N₂O emissions from duckweed and non-duckweed plots in a subtropical paddy field in China during the period of rice growth using static chamber and gas chromatography methods. Our results showed that CH₄ emission rate ranged from 0.19 to 26.50 mg m^?2 h^?1 in the duckweed plots, and from 1.02 to 28.02 mg m^?2 h^?1 in the non-duckweed plots. The CH₄ emission peak occurred about 1 week earlier in the duckweed plots compared to the non-duckweed counterparts. The mean CH₄ emission rate in the duckweed plots (9.28 mg m^?2 h^?1) was significantly lower than that in non-duckweed plots (11.66 mg m^?2 h^?1) (p < 0.05), which might be attributed to the higher water and soil Eh in the former. N₂O emission rates varied between ?50.11 and 201.82 µg m^?2 h^?1, and between ?28.93 and 54.42 µg m^?2 h^?1 in the duckweed and non-duckweed plots, respectively. The average N₂O emission rate was significantly higher in the duckweed plots than in the non-duckweed plots (40.29 vs. 11.93 µg m^?2 h^?1) (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that the presence of duckweed will reduce CH₄ emission, but increase N₂O flux simultaneously. Taking into account the combined global warming potentials of CH₄ and N₂O, we found that growing duckweed could reduce the overall greenhouse effect of subtropical paddy fields by about 17 %.     

Rice husk biochar application to paddy soil and its effects on soil physical properties,plant growth,and methane emission

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the application of rice husk biochar on selected soil physical properties, rice growth, including root extension, and methane (CH₄) emissions from paddy field soil. Three replication experiments were conducted using outdoor pot experiments utilizing commercial rice husk biochar mixed with paddy soil at a rate of 0 (control), 2, and 4 % (weight biochar/weight soil) in which the rice was cultivated for 100 days under a continuously flooded condition. The physical properties of soils were analyzed before and after the growing periods. Some parameters of rice growth and CH₄ emissions of paddy soils were monitored weekly during the experiment. Root extension was also analyzed after harvesting. The experiments showed that the application of rice husk biochar improved the physical properties of paddy soils. It led to a decrease in bulk density and an increase in saturated hydraulic conductivity, including the total pore volume as well as the available soil water content. The shoot height of rice plants was significantly higher in soil amended with 4 % biochar than that in the control soil. However, other plant growth parameters and root extension were only slightly affected by the application. It was also found that amending soil with biochar led to a reduction of the total CH₄ emissions by 45.2 and 54.9 % for an application rate of 2 and 4 %, respectively, compared with the control. Our results showed that the higher the application rate, the stronger the effect of biochar was observed. More research is still necessary for a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms.     

Mechanical insights into the effect of fluctuation in soil moisture on nitrous oxide emissions from paddy soil

Paddy fields are subjected to fluctuating water regimes as a result of the alternate drying and wetting water management, which often incurs a sensitive change in N₂O emissions from paddy soils. However, how the soil moisture regulates the emission of N₂O from paddy soil remains uncertain. In this study, three incubation experiments were designed to study the effects of constant and fluctuating soil moisture on N₂O emission and the sources of N₂O emission from paddy soil. Results showed that the N₂O emission from paddy soil at 100 % WHC (water-holding capacity) was higher than that at 40, 65, 80, 120, and 160 % WHC, indicating that 100 % WHC was the optimum soil moisture content for N₂O emission under the incubation experiment. Small peak of N₂O flux appeared when the soil moisture content from 250 % WHC decreased near to 100 % WHC, lower than that triggered by nitrogen (N) fertilization, which was mainly owing to the low NH₄ ⁺ concentration at this period. Nitrification dominated the emissions of N₂O from paddy soil at 250 % WHC (54.96 %), higher than that of nitrification-coupled denitrification (6.74 %) and denitrification (38.3 %). The contribution of denitrification to N₂O emissions (44.10 %) was equivalent to that of nitrification (44.45 %) in soil at 100 % WHC, which was higher than that of 250 % WHC treatment. In conclusion, the finding suggested that the peak of N₂O in paddy soils during midseason aeration could be attributed to the occurrence of optimum soil moisture under sufficient N availability, favorable for the production and accumulation of N₂O.     

Effect of organic,inorganic and slow-release urea fertilisers on CH<Subscript>4</Subscript> and N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O emissions from rice paddy fields

Vietnam is one of the world’s top two rice exporting countries. However, rice cultivation is the primary source of agriculture’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Vietnam. In particular, strategies are required to reduce GHG emissions associated with the application of organic and inorganic fertilisers. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of various combinations of biochar (BIOC), compost (COMP) and slow-release urea (SRU) on methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions. In total, 1170 gas samples were collected from closed gas chambers in rice paddies at Thinh Long commune and Rang Dong farm in northern Vietnam between June and October 2014. The gas samples were analysed for CH₄-C and N₂O-N fluxes using gas chromatography. The application of BIOC alone resulted in the lowest CH₄ emissions (4.8–59 mg C m^?2 h^?1) and lowest N₂O emissions (0.15–0.26 µg N m^?2 h^?1). The combined application of nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium (NPK) + COMP emitted the highest CH₄ (14–72 mg C m^?2 h^?1), while ½NPK + BIOC emitted the highest N₂O (1.03 µg N m^?2 h^?1 in the TL commune), but it was the second lowest (0.495 µg N m^?2 h^?1) in the RD farm. Green urea and orange urea reduced N₂O emissions significantly (p < 0.05) compared to white urea, but no significant differences were observed with respect to CH₄ emissions. SRU fertilisers and BIOC alone measured the lowest greenhouse gas intensity, i.e. <2.5 and 3 kg CO₂ eq. kg^?1 rice grain, respectively. Based on these results, application of fertilisers in the form of BIOC and/or orange or green urea could be a viable option to reduce both CH₄ and N₂O emissions from rice paddy soils.     

Influence of irrigation frequency on greenhouse gases emission from a paddy soil

Water management is known to be a key factor on methane (CH₄), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from paddy soils. A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of continuous irrigation (CI) and intermittent irrigation (II) on these emissions. Methane, CO₂, and N₂O emissions from a paddy soil were sampled weekly using a semi-static closed chamber and quantified with the photoacoustic technique from May to November 2011 in Amposta (Ebro Delta, NE Spain). Intermittent irrigation of rice paddies significantly stimulated (N₂O + N₂)–N emission, whereas no substantial N₂O emission was observed when the soil was re-wetted after the dry phase. The cumulative emission of (N₂O + N₂)–N was significantly larger from the II plots (0.73 kg N₂O–N ha^?1 season^–1, P < 0.05) than from the CI plots (?1.40 kg N₂O–N ha^?1 season^?1). Draining prior to harvesting increased N₂O emissions. Draining and flooding cycles controlled CO₂ emission. The cumulative CO₂ emission from II was 8416.35 kg CO₂ ha^?1 season^?1, significantly larger than that from CI (6045.26 kg CO₂ ha^?1 season^?1, P < 0.05). Lower CH₄ emission due to water drainage increased CO₂ emissions. The soil acted as a sink of CH₄ for both types of irrigation. Neither N₂O–N nor CH₄ emissions were affected by soil temperature. Global warming potential was the highest in II (4738.39 kg CO₂ ha^?1) and the lowest in CI (3463.41 kg CO₂ ha^?1). These findings suggest that CI can significantly mitigate the integrative greenhouse effect caused by CH₄ and N₂O from paddy fields while ensuring the highest rice yield.     

Greenhouse gases emission from paddy soil during the fallow season with and without winter flooding in central Japan

Many papers on measurements of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission in rice paddies during a rice cropping season have been published. During a non-cropping season between Nov. and Apr., we investigated direct and indirect GHGs emissions in rice paddies. The indirect GHGs emission was evaluated as the amount of dissolved gases leaching from the paddy fields. Water management practices for the experiment were (1) continuous flooding (CF) and (2) non-flooding (NF). Although the direct CO₂ emission in the CF treatment was remained nearly zero during the non-cropping period, direct CO₂ emission in the NF treatment was continuously observed throughout the non-cropping period. The concentration of dissolved N₂O in the NF treatment was below the detection limit of the instrument during the non-cropping period except immediately after the flooding and before the drainage. The concentration of dissolved N₂O kept approximately 2 µg L^?1 during the non-cropping period in the CF treatment. The direct CH₄ emission and dissolved CH₄ were not observed during the non-cropping period. Total gas emission in the NF treatment was 10 times as large as that in the CF treatment. Direct CO₂ emission accounted for more than 90 % of the total emission in both treatments.     

Nitrous oxide emissions from paddy fields under different water managements in southeast China

Water management is recognized as one of the most important factors in regulating nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from paddy fields. In China, controlled irrigation (CI) is widely applied because it has been proved highly effective in saving water. During the rice-growing season, the soil in CI paddy fields remains dry 60–80% of the time compared with soil irrigated by traditional methods. This study aims to assess N₂O emissions from paddy fields under CI, with traditional irrigation (TI) as the control. The cumulative N₂O emission from CI paddy fields was 2.5 kg N ha⁻¹, which was significantly greater than that from TI paddy fields (1.0 kg N ha⁻¹) (P < 0.05). Soil drying caused substantial N₂O emissions. The majority (73.9%) of the cumulative N₂O emission from CI paddy fields was observed during the drying phase, whereas no substantial N₂O emissions were observed when the soil was re-wetted after the drying phase. More and significantly higher peaks of N₂O emissions from CI paddy fields (P < 0.05) were also detected. These peaks were observed ~8 days after fertilizer application at water-filled pore spaces (WFPS) ranging from 78.0 to 83.5%, soil temperature ranging from 29.1 to 29.4°C, and soil redox potential (Eh) values ranging from +207.5 to +256.7 mV. The highest N₂O emission was measured 8 days after the application of base fertilizer at a WFPS of 79.0%, soil temperature of 29.1°C, and soil Eh value of +207.5 mV. These results suggest that N₂O emissions may be reduced obviously by keeping the WFPS higher than 83.5% within 10 days after each fertilizer application, especially when the soil temperature is suitable.     

Comparison of methanotrophic bacteria, methane oxidation activity, and methane emission in rice fields fertilized with anaerobically digested slurry between a fodder rice and a normal rice variety

Methane oxidation activity (MOA), methanotrophic bacteria (MOB), and CH₄ emission in a paddy field fertilized with anaerobically digested slurry were compared between two varieties: a fodder rice variety Leaf star (LS) and a normal rice variety Kinuhikari (KN). Average MOA and MOB per unit dry root were significantly higher in KN (7.1?μmol?g^?1 CH₄?g^?1 dry root h^?1 and 3.7?×?10⁷ MPN?g^?1 dry root, respectively) than in LS (4.3?μmol?g^?1 CH₄?g^?1 dry root h^?1, 2.1?×?10⁷ MPN?g^?1 dry root), although MOA in the rice root per whole plant was not significantly different since root biomass of LS (1.5?g dry root plant^?1) was significantly higher than that of KN (1.2?g dry root plant^?1). MOA in the soil ranged from 0.031 to 0.087?μmol?g^?1 CH₄?g^?1 dry soil h^?1, but there were no significant differences in both depths (0–5 and 5–15?cm) between the two rice varieties. MOA in the rhizosphere soil was significantly different between the rice varieties at flowering, but not at tillering. Methane emission in the field was lower and MOA and MOB in the rice root were higher in LS than in KN at tillering, but the reverse results were found at flowering and maturity stages. Total CH₄ emission during a growing period was not significantly different between LS (27.4?±?16.9?g CH₄?m^?2) and KN (24.0?±?19.5?g CH₄?m^?2). There was a significant negative relationship between CH₄ emission and rice root MOB (P?<?0.01) or MOA (P?<?0.05) and significant positive relationship was observed between root MOA and MOB (P?<?0.01). This study revealed that choice of rice variety might be an important environmental issue in paddy cultivation since it can influence MOA and MOB in rice root and rhizosphere soil which relate with CH₄ emission.     

Nitrous oxide emission measurement with acetylene inhibition method in paddy fields under flood conditions

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission from flooded rice paddy fields was continuously measured by the closed chamber method at an experimental plot in Thailand for a whole cultivation period. To characterize the N₂O emission with regard to the denitrification N loss, the C₂H₂ inhibition method was applied. Flood water on the soil greatly suppressed the N₂O emission. The N₂O emission was mitigated considerably by even a thin film of the flood water. The overall average N₂O emissions under flood conditions for one crop season (83 days) at the control site and the C₂H₂ treated site were 10.3 and 11.8 μg N m⁻² h⁻¹, respectively. The N₂O emission from the C₂H₂ treated site was consistently higher than that from the control site and the N₂O emission from both sites followed the same diurnal and seasonal variation pattern, indicating the effect of denitrification inhibition by the supplied C₂H₂. The N₂O emission enhanced along with temperature increase when NO₃–N concentration in the soil water was above 0.4 mg N l⁻¹ and soil temperature was above 24°C, suggesting specific temperature influence over the emission. The increase in NO₃–N concentration and temperature in the soil affected only the N₂O emission while the difference in the emission at the C₂H₂ treated site and the control site was not so much affected. It was suggested that most of the actively produced N₂O under higher NO₃–N concentration and temperature would likely to quickly emit to the atmosphere rather than to undergo further reduction to N₂.     

Effect of water management on greenhouse gas emissions and microbial properties of paddy soils in Japan and Indonesia

This research aims at elucidating the greenhouse gas emissions and its related soil microbial properties in continuously flooded or intermittently drained paddy soils in Japan and Indonesia. The study in Japan comprises alluvial soil and peat, cultivated to rice variety Nipponbare, while in Indonesia comprised alluvial soil cultivated to rice variety Siam Pandak. Intermittent drainage was performed to half number of the plot in 6 days interval, starting at tillering or heading stage of rice, while the other half number of plot was kept flooded as control. The experiments were carried out to follow the randomized block design with three replications. Gas samples were taken in weekly basis, except during the treatments (i.e., every 2 days interval) and analyzed for methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) concentrations. Soil samples were and analyzed for the population of methanogenic bacteria, denitrifiers, methane production and consumption potentials, and methanogenic substrate. Plant growth parameters were also observed. The results showed that intermittent drainage significantly reduced greenhouse gas emission from paddy soil of Indonesia and Japan without significant changes in soil microbial population. The reductions of greenhouse emission from Japanese peaty and alluvial paddy soil due to intermittent drained were about 32 and 37%, respectively. Meanwhile, the reductions in greenhouse gas emission from alluvial soil of Indonesia due to intermittent drainage were very similar to that of in Japan, i.e., average about 37%. This suggests that intermittent drainage can be an appropriate technology option to reduce the greenhouse gas emission from paddy soil in Japan and Indonesia.     

Tracing the fate of nitrogen with <Superscript>15</Superscript>N isotope considering suitable fertilizer rate related to yield and environment impacts in paddy field

While the application rate of nitrogen fertilizer is believed to dramatically influence rice fields and improve the soil conditions in paddy fields, fertilization with low use efficiency and nitrogen loss may cause environmental pollution. In this paper, ¹⁵N-labeled urea was used to trace the fate of nitrogen at four rates (0, 75, 225 and 375 kg N/ha) of urea fertilizer over three split applications in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, in 2014. Plant biomass, the soil nitrogen content of different layers, NH₃ volatilization and N₂O emissions were determined using the ¹⁵N abundance to calculate the portion from nitrogen fertilizer. The results indicated that rice yields increased with the application rate of nitrogen fertilizer. NH₃ volatilization is the main nitrogen loss pathway, and N₂O emissions were significantly associated with nitrogen application rates in the paddy. The percent of nitrogen loss by NH₃ volatilization and N₂O emissions increased with the nitrogen application rate. This study showed that the suitable N fertilizer in a loam clay paddy, considering the yield requirements and environmental issues, is approximately 225 kg N/ha in Hangzhou, with a distribution of 50.06% of the residual in the rice and soil and 48.77% loss as NH₃ volatilization and N₂O emissions. The nitrate from fertilization mainly remained in the 0–20 cm level of the topsoil.     

Effects of rice straw,biochar and mineral fertiliser on methane (CH<Subscript>4</Subscript>) and nitrous oxide (N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O) emissions from rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.) grown in a rain-fed lowland rice soil of Cambodia: a pot experiment

We studied the effects of water regimes and nutrient amendments on CH₄ and N₂O emissions in a 2 × 3 factorial, completely randomised growth chamber experiment. Treatments included continuously flooded (CF) and alternate wetting and drying (AWD), and three organic amendments: no amendment-control, rice straw (RS) and biochar (BC). Compound fertiliser was applied to all treatments. Rice was grown in columns packed with a paddy soil from Cambodia. Results revealed faster mineralisation of organic carbon (RS and BC) when applied in water-saturated conditions lasting for 2 weeks instead of flooding. This resulted in lower total CH₄ emissions in treatments under AWD than those under the CF water regime, namely 44 % in RS treatments and 29 % in BC treatments. Nitrous oxide fluxes were generally non-detectable during the experimental period except after fertilisation events, and the total N₂O–N emissions accounted for on average 1.7 % of the total applied mineral fertiliser N. Overall, the global warming potentials (GWPs) were lower in treatments under AWD than those under the CF water regime except for the control treatment with only mineral fertiliser application. Grain yields were slightly higher in treatments under AWD than the CF water regime. Hence, the yield-scaled GWP was also lower in the treatments under the AWD water regime, namely 51 % in RS, 59 % in BC and 17 % in control treatments. Control treatments had the lowest GWP, but provided the highest yield. The yield-scaled GWP under these treatments was therefore lower than under the other treatments.     

Controlled-release fertilizer,floating duckweed,and biochar affect ammonia volatilization and nitrous oxide emission from rice paddy fields irrigated with nitrogen-rich wastewater

It is of great concern that nitrogen-rich (N-rich) wastewater irrigation increases ammonia (NH₃) volatilization from rice (Oryza sativa L.) paddy fields. A pilot-scale field trial was conducted to study the impact of different management practices on reducing NH₃ volatilization and their subsequent impacts on nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission from a paddy field irrigated with N-rich wastewater generated by livestock production and supplemented with urea N fertilizer. A total of 225 kg N ha^?1 combined with urea and N-rich wastewater was split into basal, the first, and second supplementary applications for the following five treatments: urea N mixed with controlled-release N fertilizer (BBF), floating duckweed (FDW), biochar alone (BC), biochar mixed with calcium superphosphate (BCP), and control with no amendment (CK). Results showed that each treatment had similar pattern of NH₃ volatilization and N₂O emission after N application. Treatments of BBF, FDW, and BCP effectively reduced NH₃ losses by 22.8, 55.2, and 39.2 %, respectively, compared with the CK. BBF treatment decreased NH₃ volatilization after the first supplementary N fertilization; BCP treatment reduced NH₃ volatilization after the basal fertilization; and FDW treatment reduced NH₃ volatilization after both the basal and first supplementary fertilization. Besides controlling the NH₃ volatilization, BCP treatment also reduced 19.5 % of N₂O loss. However, BC alone suppressed N₂O emission by 24.3 %, but did not reduce NH₃ loss. The findings can practically guide farmers to choose the appropriate management practices in improving N use efficiency and minimizing the impact of fertilization on environmental quality.     

Nitrogen Fertilizer Management Practices to Reduce N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O Emissions from Irrigated Processing Potato in Manitoba

Nitrogen fertilizer practices affect nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agricultural soils. The “4R” nutrient stewardship framework of using N fertilizer at the right rate, right source, right placement and right time can reduce N₂O emissions while maintaining or improving yield of field crops, but understanding of how the various factors affect N₂O emissions from irrigated processing potato is lacking. We examined the effects of selected 4R practices on emissions, using results from two irrigated processing potato studies each conducted in 2011 and 2012 in Manitoba, Canada. Experiment 1 examined combinations of source (urea, ESN), placement (pre-plant incorporation [PPI], banding), and rate (100 and 200 kg N ha^-1) on a clay loam soil. Experiment 2 examined timing and source treatment combinations (urea PPI, ESN PPI, urea split, urea split/fertigation) on a loamy fine sandy soil. For Experiment 1, use of ESN at 200 kg ha^-1 did not reduce area-, yield- and applied fertilizer N- based N₂O emissions compared to urea at 200 kg ha^-1, irrespective of placement. Emissions from pre-plant banding ESN at 200 kg ha^?1, however, were 32% lower than from PPI ESN. For Experiment 2, compared to single pre-plant urea application, fertigation simulated by in-season application of urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) gave lower area-, yield- and applied fertilizer N- based emissions. Split urea ( \( \raisebox{1ex}{$2$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$3$}\right. \) pre-plant, \( \raisebox{1ex}{$1$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$3$}\right. \) hilling) also reduced area- and yield- based N₂O emissions compared to single pre-plant urea application. Emissions were generally lower at the site with loamy fine sandy soil than the site with clay loam soil. These results demonstrate that combinations of “4R” practices rather than source alone are best to achieve reductions in N₂O emissions from irrigated potato production.     

Simulating the effects of chemical and non-chemical fertilization practices on carbon sequestration and nitrogen loss in subtropical paddy soils using the DNDC model

Understanding the long-term and quantitative effects of different fertilization practices on carbon sequestration and nitrogen loss is important when establishing the best fertilization regime. In this study, the DeNitrification–DeComposition (DNDC) model was validated first for the change of soil organic carbon (SOC) at the site mode and at the regional mode, and then it was used to simulate the effects of three fertilization practices including rice straw (RS) returning, chemical fertilizer application (CF), and green manure planting (GM) on C and N dynamics in paddy soils from a subtropical area of China. The prevailing fertilization practices in the study area were set as the baseline scenario, and alternative scenarios were assigned by varying only one of the three fertilization practices. All three fertilization practices increased SOC content but had different effects on rice yield, N₂O emission, and nitrate leaching loss. Compared with a baseline RS rate of 15 %, the SOC contents less than RS rates of 30, 50, and 80 % were increased on average by 12.84, 29.48, and 53.50 %, respectively. SOC content also increased as the CF rate rose from 70 to 130 % of the baseline scenario and then leveled off from 130 to 160 %. SOC contents under GM were higher than that without GM by 35.74 %. Both the N₂O emissions and the nitrate leaching were increased with the increasing CF rate, while they decreased under GM treatment. However, RS increased the N₂O emissions but decreased the nitrate leaching. The polygon-based modeling method with the DNDC could accurately evaluate the general trend of SOC dynamics and nitrogen loss from paddy soils.     

Effect of soil salinity on the wheat and bean root respiration rate at low matric suctions

Water logging and salinity often occur together because rising water table brings salt to the surface. We studied the effects of a range of low soil matric suctions (or nearly paddy condition) (2–33 kPa) and salinity (EC = 0.7–8 dS m^?1 for bean and 2–20 dS m^?1 for wheat) on the root respiration (Rr) in two sandy loam and clay loam soils at greenhouse condition. Results showed that the aeration porosity mainly controls Rr especially at 2 kPa matric suction. As matric suction increases, soil aeration rises and consequently the Rr reaches maximum values (7.9 μmol m^?3 s^?1 for bean and wheat) at 6 and 10 kPa suctions in clay loam and sandy loam soils, respectively. Using a mechanistic soil respiration model reveals that these matric suctions, h, are corresponded to the aeration porosities of 0.18 m³ m^?3 in sandy loam and 0.16 m³ m^?3 in clay loam soils. Bean and wheat Rr remains nearly constant at higher suctions (h > 10 kPa) in sandy loam and decreases slightly in clay loam soil. Gas diffusivity and the root surface area may explain the variation of the Rr between the sandy loam and the clay loam soils. Results showed that the salinity (EC = 6–8 dS m^?1 for bean and EC = 16–20 dS m^?1 for wheat) amplifies the effect of aeration stress at 2 kPa matric suction in both soils. We also observed a strong correlation between root surface area, Rs, and the Rr for all experiments. We concluded that the aeration deficit is not only major factor determining differential plant respiration under adverse stress conditions, and the salinity has a pronounced impact on differences in crop physiological responses.     

Methane emission from irrigated rice ecosystem: relationship with carbon fixation,partitioning and soil carbon storage

Rice is a major agricultural crop and accounts for 40 % of the total food grain production of India. A field experiment was conducted for two successive seasons (December–June, 2012–13 and December–June, 2013–14) to assess the efficiency of rice varieties for methane (CH₄) emission in relation to atmospheric carbon fixation, partitioning of carbon, and storage in the soil. Six high yielding rice varieties, Bahadur, Cauvery, Dinanath, Joymoti, Kanaklata, and Swarnabh were grown under irrigated condition. Results of the present investigation depicted differences in photosynthetic rate among the varieties accompanied by differential ability for plant biomass partitioning between the shoots and the roots. Stomatal frequency of flag leaf at panicle initiation stage was found to have strong influence on photosynthesis. Low CH₄-emitting rice varieties, Bahadur and Dinanath, were found to have lower size of the xylem vessels than the high CH₄-emitting rice varieties, Joymoti and Kanaklata, and found to influence the CH₄ flux. Soil organic carbon storage of 0.505 Mg C ha^?1 y^?1 in the plough layer of soil (0–15 cm) confirmed that irrigated rice ecosystem is an effective sink of carbon. These findings suggest that selection of suitable rice varieties with higher photosynthetic efficiency and lower emission of CH₄ can be a suitable biological mitigation of this greenhouse gas. Although an inverse relationship of CH₄ with carbon dioxide (CO₂) efflux was observed, irrigated rice ecosystem has a good potential to store substantial amount of carbon in the soil.     

生物炭还田条件下磷肥减施对玉米产量及养分利用的影响

通过4年田间定位试验,研究辽宁昌图棕壤区生物炭还田条件下磷肥减施20%对玉米产量及养分利用的影响。结果表明,与常规施肥相比,生物炭还田(3 000 kg/hm~2)后各处理促进玉米增产,最高增产5.5%,生物炭还田配施磷肥减量20%处理的产量表现略有增加的趋势。生物炭还田后各处理均提高了玉米植株N、P和K的养分吸收量,提高玉米植株氮素和磷素回收率,生物炭还田配施常规肥处理可更好促进玉米氮、磷、钾养分吸收,提高玉米氮素回收率,4年综合提高5.3个百分点;生物炭还田配施磷肥减量20%处理可更好提高玉米磷素回收率,提高4.9个百分点。     

Gaseous emissions from soil biodisinfestation by animal manure on a greenhouse pepper crop

Soil solarisation together with the application of animal manure has been described as an alternative process for control of Phytophthora capsici root rot in pepper crops. A mixture of fresh sheep manure and dry chicken litter (SCM) and a semi-composted mixture of horse manure and chicken litter (HCM) were applied at 5.1 kg m⁻² (dry weight) under plastic sheets to reduce Phytophthora inoculum survival rate and disease incidence. Non-solarised (C) and solarised (S) soils were used as control treatments. Mean NH₃ concentration increased in SCM during biodisinfestation process (14.8 mg NH₃ m⁻³) compared with HCM (9.1 mg NH₃ m⁻³), accounted for the higher organic N content and potential N mineralisation. The higher NH₃ concentration in SCM could have contributed to reduce the inoculum survival rate (30.6% and 75.0% in SCM and HCM plots, respectively). Inoculum survival rate was not reduced in S (94.4%) as temperature was below 33 °C throughout the experimental period. After biodisinfestation treatment, N₂O and CO₂ emissions tended to be higher in SCM, despite high spatial variability. Cumulative N₂O emissions were 1.31 and 0.42 g N₂O-N m⁻² in SCM and HCM after 43 days. The larger N application and organic N mineralisation rate on fresh manure amended soils might have contributed to higher N₂O emissions during and after soil biodisinfestation by denitrification and nitrification, respectively. Cumulative CO₂ emission averaged 211.0 and 159.9 g CO₂-C m⁻² in SCM and HCM, respectively. The soluble organic C, more abundant in fresh manure, might have favoured soil respiration in SCM. Disease incidence decreased in SCM and HCM plots (disease incidence, 2%-8%) in relation to solarised soils (42%) after 4 months. Microbial suppressiveness might have contributed to minimise Phytophthora disease incidence in SCM and HCM plots. Pepper fruit yield increased with manure amendment in SCM and HCM, which averaged 4.6 and 4.3 kg m⁻², respectively. Further research will be necessary to guarantee an effective Phytophthora biodisinfestation by fitting manure N and organic matter applications, improving crop yield and reducing greenhouse gas pollution.     

Lower soil nitrous oxide emissions by a high lipid genetically modified perennial ryegrass line compared to its wild type

We describe an experiment where cattle urine was applied at a rate of 420 kg N ha⁻¹, equivalent to 10 L m⁻², to mesocosm swards of a high lipid genetically modified perennial ryegrass line (HME) and its wild type (WT). We measured N pools and fluxes in the plant and soil, soil microbial populations and N₂O production. HME plants produced 21% greater biomass than WT (p = .02), resulting in greater N uptake (27% higher in HME, p = .05). Urine N recovery in total plant biomass during the experiment in HME and WT swards were 54.7% and 33.9% respectively. The nitrification potential of soil was significantly lower (p = .01) in HME than WT. Partial least square-discriminant analysis using microbial gene abundance data indicated that HME and WT plant growth induced distinct microbial populations in the soil. These differences in plant soil microbial interactions between HME and WT swards resulted in significantly lower N₂O emissions from the HME sward. Total N₂O emissions over the 4 weeks after urine application was 38% lower (p < .03) in HME swards than in WT swards. The next step in this work is to identify the specific changes in HME traits that drive the reduction in N₂O.