The influence of soluble carbon and fertilizer nitrogen on nitric oxide and nitrous oxide emissions from two contrasting agricultural soils

Contradictory effects of simultaneous available organic C and N sources on nitrous oxide (N₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂) and nitric oxide (NO) fluxes are reported in the literature. In order to clarify this controversy, laboratory experiments were conduced on two different soils, a semiarid arable soil from Spain (soil I, pH=7.5, 0.8%C) and a grassland soil from Scotland (soil II, pH=5.5, 4.1%C). Soils were incubated at two different moisture contents, at a water filled pore space (WFPS) of 90% and 40%. Ammonium sulphate, added at rates equivalent to 200 and 50 kg N ha^?1, stimulated N₂O and NO emissions in both soils. Under wet conditions (90% WFPS), at high and low rates of N additions, cumulative N₂O emissions increased by 250.7 and 8.1 ng N₂O–N g^?1 in comparison to the control, respectively, in soil I and by 472.2 and 2.1 ng N₂O–N g^?1, respectively, in soil II. NO emissions only significantly increased in soil I at the high N application rate with and without glucose addition and at both 40% and 90% WFPS. In both soils additions of glucose together with the high N application rate (200 kg N ha^?1) reduced cumulative N₂O and NO emissions by 94% and 55% in soil I, and by 46% and 66% in soil II, respectively. These differences can be explained by differences in soil properties, including pH, soil mineral N and total and dissolved organic carbon content. It is speculated that nitrifier denitrification was the main source of NO and N₂O in the C-poor Spanish soil, and coupled nitrification–denitrification in the C-rich Scottish soil.     

Emissions of CH4, CO2, and N2O from soil at a cattle overwintering area as affected by available C and N

Relationships between CH₄, CO₂, and N₂O emissions were studied in soil that had been freshly amended with large deposits of cattle wastes. Dynamics of CH₄, CO₂, and N₂O emissions were investigated with flux chambers from early April to late June 2011, during the 3 months following cattle overwintering at the site. This 81-day field study was supplemented with soil analyses of available C and N content and measurement of denitrification activity. In a more detailed field investigation, the daily time course of emissions was determined. The field research was complemented with a laboratory experiment that focused on the short-term time course of N₂O and CH₄ production in artificially created anoxic soil microsites. The following hypotheses were tested: (i) a large input of C (and N and other nutrients) in cattle manure creates conditions suitable for methanogenesis, and therefore overwintering areas can produce large amounts of CH₄; (ii) N₂O is produced and emitted until the level of mineral N decreases, while the level of CH₄ production is low; and (iii) production of CH₄ is greater when N immobilization decreases the level of NO₃⁻ in soil. N₂O emissions were relatively large during the first 3 weeks, then peaked (at ca. 4000 μg N₂ON m⁻² h⁻¹) and soon decreased to almost zero; the changes were related to the mineral and soluble organic N content in soil. CH₄ fluxes were large, though variable, in the first 2 months (600–3000 μg CH₄C m⁻² h⁻¹) and were independent of C and N availability. Although time courses differed for CH₄ and N₂O, a negative relationship between N₂O and CH₄ emissions was not detected. Contrary to CH₄ and N₂O fluxes, CO₂ emissions progressively increased to ca. 300 mg CO₂C m⁻² h⁻¹ at the end of the field study and were closely related to air and soil temperatures. Diurnal measurements revealed significant correlations between temperature and emissions of CH₄, N₂O, and CO₂. Addition of C to soil during anaerobic incubation increased the production and consumption of N₂O and supported the emission of CH₄. The results suggest that rapid denitrification significantly contributes to the exhaustion of oxidizing agents and helps create microsites supporting methanogenesis in otherwise N₂O-producing upland soil. The results also indicate that accurate estimate of gas fluxes in animal-impacted grassland areas requires assessment of both diurnal and long-term changes in CH₄, CO₂, and N₂O emissions.     

N2O emissions from humid tropical agricultural soils: effects of soil moisture,texture and nitrogen availability

We studied soil moisture dynamics and nitrous oxide (N₂O) fluxes from agricultural soils in the humid tropics of Costa Rica. Using a split-plot design on two soils (clay, loam) we compared two crop types (annual, perennial) each unfertilized and fertilized. Both soils are of andic origin. Their properties include relatively low bulk density and high organic matter content, water retention capacity, and hydraulic conductivity. The top 2–3 cm of the soils consists of distinct small aggregates (dia. <0.5 cm). We measured a strong gradient of bulk density and moisture within the top 7 cm of the clay soil. Using automated sampling and analysis systems we measured N₂O emissions at 4.6 h intervals, meteorological variables, soil moisture, and temperature at 0.5 h intervals. Mean daily soil moisture content at 5 cm depth ranged from 46% water filled pore space (WFPS) on clay in April 1995 to near saturation on loam during a wet period in February 1996. On both soils the aggregated surface layer always remained unsaturated. Soils emitted N₂O throughout the year. Mean N₂O fluxes were 1.04±0.72 ng N₂O-N cm⁻² h⁻¹ (mean±standard deviation) from unfertilized loam under annual crops compared to 3.54±4.31 ng N₂O-N cm⁻² h⁻¹ from the fertilized plot (351 days measurement). Fertilization dominated the temporal variation of N₂O emissions. Generally fluxes peaked shortly after fertilization and were increased for up to 6 weeks (‘post fertilization flux’). Emissions continued at a lower rate (‘background flux’) after fertilization effects faded. Mean post-fertilization fluxes were 6.3±6.5 ng N₂O-N cm⁻² h⁻¹ while the background flux rate was 2.2±1.8 ng N₂O-N cm⁻² h⁻¹. Soil moisture dynamics affected N₂O emissions. Post fertilization fluxes were highest from wet soils; fluxes from relatively dry soils increased only after rain events. N₂O emissions were weakly affected by soil moisture during phases of low N availability. Statistical modeling confirmed N availability and soil moisture as the major controls on N₂O flux. Our data suggest that small-scale differences in soil structure and moisture content cause very different biogeochemical environments within the top 7 cm of soils, which is important for net N₂O fluxes from soils.     

Pig slurry treatment modifies slurry composition,N2O,and CO2 emissions after soil incorporation

The treatment of manures may improve their agricultural value and environmental quality, for instance with regards to greenhouse gases mitigation and enhancement of carbon (C) sequestration. The present study verified whether different pig slurry treatments (i.e. solid/liquid separation and anaerobic digestion) changed slurry composition. The effect of the slurry composition on N₂O and CO₂ emissions, denitrification and soil mineral nitrogen (N), after soil incorporation, was also examined during a 58-day mesocosm study. The treatments included a non-treated pig slurry (NT), the solid fraction (SF), and the liquid fraction (LF) of a pig slurry and the anaerobically digested liquid fraction (DG). Finally, a non-fertilized (N0) and a treatment with urea (UR) were also present.The N₂O emissions measured represented 4.8%, 2.6%, 1.8%, 1.0% and 0.9% of N supplied with slurry/fertilizer for NT, LF, DG, SF and UR, respectively. Cumulative CO₂ emissions ranged from 0.40 g CO₂-C kg^?1 soil (0.38 Mg CO₂-C ha^?1) to 0.80 g CO₂-C kg^?1 soil (0.75 Mg CO₂-C ha^?1). They were highest for SF (56% of C applied), followed by NT (189% of C applied), LF (337% of C applied) and DG (321% of C applied). Ammonium was detected in the soil for all treatments only at day one, while nitrate concentration increased linearly from day 15 to day 58, at a rate independent of the type of slurry/fertilizer applied. The nitrate recovery at day 58 was 39% of the N applied for NT, 19% for SF, 52% for LF, 67% for DG, and 41% for UR. The solid fraction generally produced higher potential denitrification fluxes (75.3 for SF, 56.7 for NT, 53.6 for LF, 47.7 for DG and 39.7 mg N₂O + N₂-N kg^?1 soil for UR). The high variability of actual denitrification results obfuscated any treatment effect.We conclude that treatment strongly affects slurry composition (mainly its C, fibre and NH₄⁺ content), and hence N₂O and CO₂ emission patterns as well as denitrification processes and nitrate availability. In particular, the solid fraction obtained after mechanical separation produced the most pronounced difference, while the liquid fraction and the anaerobically digested liquid fraction did not show significant difference with respect to the original slurry for any of the measured parameters. Combining data from the different fractions we showed that separation of slurry leads to reduced N₂O emissions, irrespective of whether the liquid fraction is digested or not. Furthermore, our results suggested that the default emission factor for N₂O emissions inventory is too low for both the non-treated pig slurry and its liquid fraction (digested or not), and too high for the separated solid fraction and urea.     

Soil–atmosphere greenhouse gas exchange in a cool,temperate Eucalyptus delegatensis forest in south-eastern Australia

Forests are the largest C sink (vegetation and soil) in the terrestrial biosphere and may additionally provide an important soil methane (CH₄) sink, whilst producing little nitrous oxide (N₂O) when nutrients are tightly cycled. In this study, we determine the magnitude and spatial variation of soil–atmosphere N₂O, CH₄ and CO₂ exchange in a Eucalyptus delegatensis forest in New South Wales, Australia, and investigate how the magnitude of the fluxes depends on the presence of N₂-fixing tree species (Acacia dealbata), the proximity of creeks, and changing environmental conditions. Soil trace gas exchange was measured along replicated transects and in forest plots with and without presence of A. dealbata using static manual chambers and an automated trace gas measurement system for 2 weeks next to an eddy covariance tower measuring net ecosystem CO₂ exchange. CH₄ was taken up by the forest soil (?51.8 μg CH₄-C m^?2 h^?1) and was significantly correlated with relative saturation (S_r) of the soil. The soil within creek lines was a net CH₄ source (up to 33.5 μg CH₄-C m^?2 h^?1), whereas the wider forest soil was a CH₄ sink regardless of distance from the creek line. Soil N₂O emissions were small (<3.3 μg N₂O-N m^?2 h^?1) throughout the 2-week period, despite major rain and snowfall. Soil N₂O emissions only correlated with soil and air temperature. The presence of A. dealbata in the understorey had no influence on the magnitude of CH₄ uptake, N₂O emission or soil N parameters. N₂O production increased with increasing soil moisture (up to 50% S_r) in laboratory incubations and gross nitrification was negative or negligible as measured through ¹⁵N isotope pool dilution.The small N₂O emissions are probably due to the limited capacity for nitrification in this late successional forest soil with C:N ratios >20. Soil–atmosphere exchange of CO₂ was several orders of magnitude greater (88.8 mg CO₂-C m^?2 h^?1) than CH₄ and N₂O, and represented 43% of total ecosystem respiration. The forest was a net greenhouse gas sink (126.22 kg CO₂-equivalents ha^?1 d^?1) during the 2-week measurement period, of which soil CH₄ uptake contributed only 0.3% and N₂O emissions offset only 0.3%.     

Spatial and seasonal variations of atmospheric N2O and CO2 fluxes from a subtropical mangrove swamp and their relationships with soil characteristics

Marine ecosystems are a known net source of greenhouse gases emissions but the atmospheric gas fluxes, particularly from the mangrove swamps occupying inter-tidal zones, are characterized poorly. Spatial and seasonal fluxes of nitrous oxide (N₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) from soil in Mai Po mangrove swamp in Hong Kong, South China and their relationships with soil characteristics were investigated. The N₂O fluxes averaged from 32.1 to 533.7 μg m⁻² h⁻¹ and the CO₂ fluxes were between 10.6 and 1374.1 mg m⁻² h⁻¹. Both N₂O and CO₂ fluxes in this swamp showed large spatial and seasonal variations. The fluxes were higher at the landward site than the foreshore bare mudflat, and higher fluxes were recorded in warm, rather than cold, seasons. The landward site had the highest content of soil organic carbon (OC), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), nitrate (NO₃⁻–N) and total phosphorus (TP), while the bare mudflat had the highest ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺–N) concentration and soil denitrification potential activity. The N₂O flux was related, positively, to CO₂ flux. Soil NO₃⁻–N and TP increased N₂O flux, while soil OC and TP concentrations contributed to the CO₂ flux. The results indicated that the Mai Po mangrove swamp emitted significant amounts of greenhouse gases, and the N₂O emission was probably due to soil denitrifcation.     

Nitrous oxide evolution from structurally intact soil as influenced by tillage and soil water content

Among farmers there is a growing interest for adoption of reduced tillage practices, which has accentuated the need to understand the consequences for soil nutrient dynamics and losses. A laboratory study was conducted with structurally intact soil cores collected from two depths, 0–4 and 14–18 cm, within tillage experiments on contrasting soil types, both experiments with soil under mouldboard ploughing (MP) or shallow tillage (ST). The soil cores were adjusted to one of seven matric potentials ranging from ?1500 to ?15 hPa. The extent and regulation of nitrous oxide (N₂O) evolution as a function of tillage, depth and soil characteristics was studied by measurement of N₂O and CO₂ evolution rates, as well as nitrifying and denitrifying potentials, and subsequent data analysis by multiple linear regression models. At both sites, compaction of ST soil below the depth of tillage was significant. The vertical distribution of N₂O evolution was different in MP and ST soil, but no main effect of tillage on N₂O evolution was observed. Effects of soil variables on N₂O evolution were analysed using volumetric water content, water-filled pore space, or relative gas diffusivity (RD) to represent the effect of soil water. Using RD weakened interactions with tillage and C availability and strengthened main effects, suggesting that RD may provide a more general representation of the water effect. At 0–4 cm depth, N₂O evolution was related to NO₃^? availability in the soil with 5.1% C, but to C availability in the soil with 1.5% C. The contrasting patterns of dependencies in the different environments support the interpretation of reduced tillage and soil water content as indirect controls, via diffusional constraints, of N₂O evolution.     

Emission of nitrous oxide from hydrocarbon contaminated soil amended with waste water sludge and earthworms

Soils in Mexico are often contaminated with hydrocarbons and addition of waste water sludge and earthworms accelerates their removal. However, little is known how contamination and subsequent bioremediation affects emissions of N₂O and CO₂. A laboratory study was done to investigate the effect of waste water sludge and the earthworm Eisenia fetida on emission of N₂O and CO₂ in a sandy loam soil contaminated with the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): phenanthrene, anthracene and benzo(a)pyrene. Emissions of N₂O and CO₂, and concentrations of inorganic N (ammonium (NH₄⁺), nitrite (NO₂^?) nitrate (NO₃^?)) were monitored after 0, 5, 24, 72 and 168 h. Adding E. fetida to the PAHs contaminated soil increased CO₂ production rate significantly 2.0 times independent of the addition of sludge. The N₂O emission rate from unamended soil expressed on a daily base was 5 μg N kg^?1 d^?1 for the first 2 h and increased to a maximum of 325 μg N kg^?1 d^?1 after 48 h and then decreased to 10 μg N kg^?1 d^?1 after 168 h. Addition of PAHs, E. fetida or PAHs + E. fetida had no significant effect on the N₂O emission rate. Adding sludge to the soil sharply increased the N₂O emission rate to >400 μg N kg^?1 d^?1 for the entire incubation with a maximum of 1134 μg N kg^?1 d^?1 after 48 h. Addition of E. fetida, PAHs or PAHs + E. fetida to the sludge-amended soil reduced the N₂O emission rate significantly compared to soil amended with sludge after 24 h. It was found that contaminating soil with PAHs and adding earthworms had no effect on emissions of N₂O. Emission of N₂O, however, increased in sludge-amended soil, but addition of earthworms to this soil and contamination reduced it.     

Groundwater level controls CO2, N2O and CH4 fluxes of three different hydromorphic soil types of a temperate forest ecosystem

Hydromorphic soils should exhibit higher climate change feedback potentials than well aerated soils since soil organic matter (SOM) losses in them are predicted to be much larger than those of well aerated soils. To evaluate a combined feedback relationship between groundwater level (GWL) and total greenhouse gas (GHG) emission, a greenhouse microcosm experiment was performed by exposing three hydromorphic forest soil types that differed in carbon content to three water levels (?40, ?20 and ?5 cm) while plants were excluded. Net GHG fluxes were measured continuously. GHG concentrations plus oxygen were measured in soil air and soil water at different depths. In this study, soil type hardly affected GHG emissions but GWL did. CO₂ emissions peaked at GWL of ?40 cm and declined on average to 65 and 33% during GWL at ?20 and ?5 cm, respectively. CH₄ emissions showed the opposite pattern having the highest emission rates at GWL of ?5 cm and compared to that on average only ?3 and ?8% during GWL at ?20 and ?40 cm, respectively. The highest mean N₂O emissions were detected at the intermediate GWL of ?20 cm, whereas it is reduced on average to 18% for GWL at ?40 cm and at ?5 cm. The highest greenhouse gas emissions (in CO₂ equivalents) were calculated for GWL at ?20 cm. During GWL at ?40 cm, CO₂ equivalent fluxes were only insignificantly lower. CO₂ equivalent fluxes reduced explicitly in mean to 35% with GWL at ?5 cm. The outcome emphasizes that anaerobic SOM decomposition apparently produces a lower warming potential than aerobic SOM decomposition. Undoubtedly, hydromorphic soils have to be considered for climate–carbon feedback scenarios.     

Earthworm-induced N2O emissions in a sandy soil with surface-applied crop residues

Earlier research with endogeic and epigeic earthworm species in loamy arable soil has shown that both earthworm groups can increase nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, provided that crop residue placement matches the feeding strategy of the earthworm ecological group(s). However, it is not yet clear whether these effects also occur in sandy soils which typically contain less soil organic matter and have low soil aggregation levels. Here, we aimed to quantify N₂O emissions as affected by endogeic and/or epigeic earthworm species, and to relate changes in N₂O emissions to earthworm-induced changes in soil properties in a sandy soil. A 90 day mesocosm study was conducted with sandy soil and ¹⁵N-labeled radish (Raphanus sativus cv. Adagio L.) residue applied on top. Treatments included: (i) no earthworm addition, (ii) addition of the endogeic species Aporrectodea caliginosa (Savigny), (iii) addition of the epigeic species Lumbricus rubellus (Hoffmeister), and (iv) both species combined. An additional treatment was included without earthworms and with residue manually incorporated into the soil. L. rubellus significantly increased cumulative N₂O emissions from 228 to 859 μg N₂O–N kg^?1 (F_1,12 = 83.12, P < 0.001), whereas A. caliginosa did not affect N₂O emissions. In contrast to earlier studies in loamy soil, no positive interaction between both species with regard to N₂O emissions was found. This was probably related to high competition for organic resources in the relatively poor soil and a low potential for stable soil aggregate formation (and associated anaerobic microsites) by endogeic worms in sandy soil. ¹⁵N isotope analysis revealed that the activity of L. rubellus significantly increased (F_1,12 = 6.20, P = 0.028) the recovery of ¹⁵N in the 250–8000 μm size fraction, indicating incorporation of crop residues into the mineral soil. When residues were manually incorporated, N₂O emissions were significantly (P < 0.008) lower (509 μg N₂O–N kg^?1) than when incorporated by L. rubellus. The high N₂O emissions in the presence of L. rubellus, when compared to manual mixing, suggest a stimulation of microbial activity and/or changes in the microbial community composition. Insights on the earthworm effects on N₂O emission from such soils are discussed.     

Nitrous oxide production in turfgrass systems: Effects of soil properties and grass clipping recycling

Soil N₂O emissions can affect global environments because N₂O is a potent greenhouse gas and ozone depletion substance. In the context of global warming, there is increasing concern over the emissions of N₂O from turfgrass systems. It is possible that management practices could be tailored to reduce emissions, but this would require a better understanding of factors controlling N₂O production. In the present study we evaluated the spatial variability of soil N₂O production and its correlation with soil physical, chemical and microbial properties. The impacts of grass clipping addition on soil N₂O production were also examined. Soil samples were collected from a chronosequence of three golf courses (10, 30, and 100-year-old) and incubated for 60 days at either 60% or 90% water filled-pore space (WFPS) with or without the addition of grass clippings or wheat straw. Both soil N₂O flux and soil inorganic N were measured periodically throughout the incubation. For unamended soils, cumulative soil N₂O production during the incubation ranged from 75 to 972 ng N g⁻¹ soil at 60% WFPS and from 76 to 8842 ng N g⁻¹ soil at 90% WFPS. Among all the soil physical, chemical and microbial properties examined, soil N₂O production showed the largest spatial variability with the coefficient of variation ~110% and 207% for 60% and 90% WFPS, respectively. At 60% WFPS, soil N₂O production was positively correlated with soil clay fraction (Pearson's r = 0.91, P < 0.01) and soil NH₄⁺–N (Pearson's r = 0.82, P < 0.01). At 90% WFPS, however, soil N₂O production appeared to be positively related to total soil C and N, but negatively related to soil pH. Addition of grass clippings and wheat straw did not consistently affect soil N₂O production across moisture treatments. Soil N₂O production at 60% WFPS was enhanced by the addition of grass clippings and unaffected by wheat straw (P < 0.05). In contrast, soil N₂O production at 90% WFPS was inhibited by the addition of wheat straw and little influenced by glass clippings (P < 0.05), except for soil samples with >2.5% organic C. Net N mineralization in soil samples with >2.5% organic C was similar between the two moisture regimes, suggesting that O₂ availability was greater than expected from 90% WFPS. Nonetheless, small and moderate changes in the percentage of clay fraction, soil organic matter content, and soil pH were found to be associated with large variations in soil N₂O production. Our study suggested that managing soil acidity via liming could substantially control soil N₂O production in turfgrass systems.     

Effects of tillage and nitrogen management on soil chemical and physical properties after 23 years of continuous sorghum

Long-term tillage and nitrogen (N) management practices can have a profound impact on soil properties and nutrient availability. A great deal of research evaluating tillage and N applications on soil chemical properties has been conducted with continuous corn (Zea Mays L.) throughout the Midwest, but not on continuous grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). The objective of this experiment was to examine the long-term effects of tillage and nitrogen applications on soil physical and chemical properties at different depths after 23 years of continuous sorghum under no-till (NT) and conventional till (CT) (fall chisel-field cultivation prior to planting) systems. Ammonium nitrate (AN), urea, and a slow release form of urea were surface broadcast at rates of 34, 67, and 135 kg N ha⁻¹. Soil samples were taken to a depth of 15 cm and separated into 2.5 cm increments. As a result of lime applied to the soil surface, soil pH in the NT and CT plots decreased with depth, ranging from 6.9 to 5.7 in the NT plots and from 6.5 to 5.9 in the CT plots. Bray-1 extractable P and NH₄OAc extractable K was 20 and 49 mg kg⁻¹ higher, respectively, in the surface 2.5 cm of NT compared to CT. Extractable Ca was not greatly influenced by tillage but extractable Mg was higher for CT compared to NT below 2.5 cm. Organic carbon (OC) under NT was significantly higher in the surface 7.5 cm of soil compared to CT. Averaged across N rates, NT had 2.7 Mg ha⁻¹ more C than CT in the surface 7.5 cm of soil. Bulk density (Δ_b) of the CT was lower at 1.07 g cm⁻³ while Δ_b of NT plots was 1.13 g cm⁻³. This study demonstrated the effect tillage has on the distribution and concentration of certain chemical soil properties.     

The impact of logging residue on soil GHG fluxes in a drained peatland forest

Northern peatlands contain substantial reservoirs of carbon (C). Forestry activities endanger the C storages in some of these areas. While the initial impacts of forestry drainage on peatland greenhouse gas (GHG) balance have been studied, the impacts of other silvicultural practices, e.g. logging residue (LR) retention or removal, are not known. We measured the CH₄, N₂O and CO₂ fluxes between peat soil and atmosphere with and without decomposing LR over three (2002–2004) seasons (May–Oct) following clearfelling in a drained peatland forest, along with the mass loss of LR. Seasonal average CO₂ efflux from plots with LR (3070 g CO₂ m⁻² season⁻¹) was twice as high as that from plots without LR (1447 g CO₂ m⁻² season⁻¹). Less than 40% of this difference was accounted for by the decay of logging residues (530 g CO₂ m⁻² season⁻¹), so the majority of the increased CO₂ efflux was caused by increased soil organic matter decomposition under the LR. Furthermore LR increased soil N₂O fluxes over 3-fold (0.70 g N₂O m⁻² season⁻¹), compared to plots without LR (0.19 g N₂O m⁻² season⁻¹), while no change in CH₄ emissions was observed. Our results indicate that LR retention in clearfelled peatland sites may significantly increase GHG emissions and C release from the soil organic matter C storage. This would make the harvesting of LR for biofuel more beneficial, in the form of avoided emissions. Further investigations of the sources of CO₂ under logging residues are, however, needed to confirm this finding.     

Production of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide in alkaline saline soil of Texcoco at different water contents amended with urea: A laboratory study

Soil of the former lake Texcoco is alkaline saline with pH often >10 and electrolytic conductivity (EC) >70 dS m^?1 with rapidly changing water contents. Little is known how fertilizing this area with urea to vegetate the soil would affect emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and dynamics of N. Texcoco soil with electrolytic conductivity (EC) 2.3 dS m^?1 and pH 8.5 (TEXCOCO A soil), EC 2.0 dS m^?1 and pH 9.0 (TEXCOCO B soil) and 200 dS m^?1 and pH 11.2 (TEXCOCO C soil) was amended with or without urea and incubated at 40% of water holding capacity (WHC), 60% WHC, 80% WHC and 100% WHC, while emissions of nitrous oxide (N₂O) and CO₂ and dynamics of ammonium (NH₄⁺), nitrite (NO₂^?) and nitrate (NO₃^?) were monitored for 7 days. An agricultural soil served as control (ACOLMAN soil). The emission of CO₂ increased in the urea amended soil 1.5 times compared to the unamended soil, it was inhibited in TEXCOCO C soil and was >1.2 larger in soil incubated at 40%, 60% and 80% WHC compared to soil incubated at 100% WHC. The emission of N₂O increased in soil added with urea compared to the unamended soil, was similar in TEXCOCO A and B soils, but was <0.2 mg N kg^?1 soil day^?1 in TEXCOCO C soil and generally larger in soil incubated at 60% and 80% WHC compared to soil incubated at 40% and 100% WHC. The water content of the soil had no significant effect on the mean concentration of NH₄⁺, but addition of urea increased it in all soils. The concentration of NO₂^? was not affected by the water content and the addition of urea except in TEXCOCO A soil where it increased to values ranging between 20 and 40 mg N kg^?1. The concentration of NO₃^? increased in the ACOLMAN, TEXCOCO A and TEXCOCO B soil amended with urea compared to the unamended soil, but not in the TEXCOCO C soil. It decreased with increased water content, but not in TEXCOCO C soil. It was found that the differences in soil characteristics, i.e. soil organic matter content, pH and EC between the soils had a profound effect on soil processes, but even small changes affected the dynamics of C and N in soil amended with urea.     

Influence of drip and furrow irrigation systems on nitrogen oxide emissions from a horticultural crop

Irrigation management has an important influence on emissions of nitrous oxide (N₂O) and nitric oxide (NO) from irrigated agricultural soils. In order to develop strategies to reduce the emission of these gases, a field experiment was carried out to compare the influence of different irrigation systems: furrow (FI) and drip-irrigation (DI), on N₂O and NO emissions from a soil during the melon crop season. Two fertilizer treatments were evaluated for each irrigation regime: ammonium sulphate (AS) as a mineral N fertilizer, at a rate of 175 kg N ha^?1; and a control without any N fertilizer (Control). On plots where the AS treatment was applied, drip irrigation reduced total N₂O and NO emissions (by 70% and 33% respectively) with respect to values for furrow irrigation. This was probably due to the lower amount of water applied and the different soil wetting pattern associated with DI. Dry areas of the drip-irrigated plots emitted a similar amount of N₂O to the wet areas (0.45 kg N₂O-N ha^?1) in the Control and greater quantities in the AS treatment (0.92 kg N₂O-N ha^?1 for dry and 0.70 kg N₂O-N ha^?1 for wet areas). We suggest that the N oxide pulses observed throughout the irrigation period on DI plots could have been the result of frequent increases in the soil wetting volume after the addition of water. Denitrification losses (from depths of 0–10 cm) were estimated at 11.44 kg N₂O- N ha^?1 for the AS treatment under FI and at 4.96 kg N₂O-N ha^?1 for DI. Under DI, nitrification was an important source of N₂O, whereas denitrification was the most important source under FI. The addition of NH₄⁺ and the use of DI enhanced the N₂O/N₂ ratio of gases produced through denitrification. The quantity of dissolved organic C (DOC) in the soil generally decreased with addition of NH₄⁺.This work showed that, in comparison with furrow irrigation, drip irrigation is a method that can be used to save water and mitigate emissions of the atmospheric pollutants NO and N₂O.     

Impact of reduced tillage on carbon and nitrogen storage of two Haplic Luvisols after 40 years

It is broadly accepted that reduced tillage increases soil organic carbon (C_org) and total nitrogen (N) concentrations in arable soils. However, the underlying processes of sequestration are not completely understood. Thus, our objectives were to investigate the impact of a minimum tillage (MT) system (to 5–8 cm depth) on aggregates, on particulate organic matter (POM), and on storage of C_org and N in two loamy Haplic Luvisols in contrast to conventional tillage (CT) (to 25 cm). Surface soils (0–5 cm) and subsoils (10–20 cm) of two experimental fields near Göttingen, Germany, were investigated. Each site (Garte-Süd and Hohes Feld) received both tillage treatments for 37 and 40 years, respectively. In the bulk soil of both sites C_org, N, microbial carbon (C_mic), and microbial N (N_mic) concentrations were elevated under MT in both depths. Likewise, water-stable macroaggregates (>0.25 mm) were on average 2.6 times more abundant under MT than under CT but differences in the subsoils were generally not significant. For surface soils under MT, all aggregate size classes <1 mm showed approx. 35% and 50% increased C_org concentrations at Garte-Süd and Hohes Feld, respectively. For greater macroaggregates (1–2, 2–10 mm), however, differences were inconsistent. Elevations of N concentrations were regular over all size classes reaching 61% and 52%, respectively. Density fractionation of the surface soils revealed that tillage system affected neither the yields of free POM nor occluded POM nor their C_org and N concentrations. Moreover, more C_org and N (15–238%) was associated within the mineral fractions investigated under MT in contrast to CT. Overall, similar to no-tillage, a long-term MT treatment of soil enhanced the stability of macroaggregates and thus was able to physically protect and to store more organic matter (OM) in the surface soil. The increased storage of C_org and N did not occur as POM, as reported for no-tillage, but as mineral-associated OM.     

Nitrous oxide emissions from fertilized,irrigated cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in the Aral Sea Basin,Uzbekistan: Influence of nitrogen applications and irrigation practices

Nitrous oxide emissions were monitored at three sites over a 2-year period in irrigated cotton fields in Khorezm, Uzbekistan, a region located in the arid deserts of the Aral Sea Basin. The fields were managed using different fertilizer management strategies and irrigation water regimes. N₂O emissions varied widely between years, within 1 year throughout the vegetation season, and between the sites. The amount of irrigation water applied, the amount and type of N fertilizer used, and topsoil temperature had the greatest effect on these emissions.Very high N₂O emissions of up to 3000 μg N₂O-N m^?2 h^?1 were measured in periods following N-fertilizer application in combination with irrigation events. These “emission pulses” accounted for 80–95% of the total N₂O emissions between April and September and varied from 0.9 to 6.5 kg N₂O-N ha^?1.. Emission factors (EF), uncorrected for background emission, ranged from 0.4% to 2.6% of total N applied, corresponding to an average EF of 1.48% of applied N fertilizer lost as N₂O-N. This is in line with the default global average value of 1.25% of applied N used in calculations of N₂O emissions by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.During the emission pulses, which were triggered by high soil moisture and high availability of mineral N, a clear diurnal pattern of N₂O emissions was observed, driven by daily changes in topsoil temperature. For these periods, air sampling from 8:00 to 10:00 and from 18:00 to 20:00 was found to best represent the mean daily N₂O flux rates. The wet topsoil conditions caused by irrigation favored the production of N₂O from NO₃^? fertilizers, but not from NH₄⁺ fertilizers, thus indicating that denitrification was the main process causing N₂O emissions. It is therefore argued that there is scope for reducing N₂O emission from irrigated cotton production; i.e. through the exclusive use of NH₄⁺ fertilizers. Advanced application and irrigation techniques such as subsurface fertilizer application, drip irrigation and fertigation may also minimize N₂O emission from this regionally dominant agro-ecosystem.     

Estimating greenhouse gas emissions from soil following liquid manure applications using a unit response curve method

Quantitative information is critical in policy making related to the roles of agriculture in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A Unit Response (UR) curve method was developed in this study for modeling GHG emissions from soil after liquid manure applications. The emission sources (soils and liquid manures) are conceptualized as a set of linear cascaded chambers with equal storage-release coefficients, or two sets of cascaded chambers in parallel, each set having equal storage-release coefficients. The model is based on a two-parameter gamma distribution. Three parameters in this model denote the number of cascaded chambers, the storage-release coefficient, and the multiplier (referring to the total net emissions) added to the gamma distribution function. These parameters can be expressed as functions of site-specific background fluxes without applications of manure/fertilizer. The method was assessed with emissions data from five fields in Washington State. The results showed that at the WSU and Lynden sites, the average excess CH₄ emissions due to manure applications were 0.39 and 0.17 kg CH₄–C ha^? 1, respectively; the average excess CO₂ emissions were 216.50 and 25.20 kg CO₂–C ha^? 1, respectively; and the average excess N₂O were 0.37 and 0.03 kg N₂O–N ha^? 1, respectively. The UR method may fill the gaps between field measurements, simple emission factor (EF) method, and complex process-oriented models. This method has the potential to be used for estimating additional GHG emissions due to manure/fertilizer applications.     

Effects of alternative management practices on the economics,energy and GHG emissions of a wheat–pea cropping system in the Canadian prairies

In recent years alternative farming practices have received considerable attention from Canadian producers as a means to improve their net return from grain and oilseed production. Enhancing the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer use, including a pulse crop in the rotation, reducing tillage and pesticide use are seen as viable options to reduce reliance on fossil fuel, lower input costs and decrease the risk of soil, air and water degradation. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of 16 alternative management practices for a 2-year spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–field pea (Pisum sativum L.) rotation on economic returns, non-renewable energy use efficiency, and greenhouse gas emissions. The alternative management methods for wheat consisted of a factorial combination of high vs. low soil disturbance one pass seeding, four nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates (20 kg N ha^?1, 40 kg N ha^?1, 60 kg N ha^?1 and 80 kg N ha^?1), and recommended vs. reduced rates of in-crop herbicide application. Alternative management practices for field pea were high vs. low soil disturbance one pass seeding. The resulting 16 cropping systems were evaluated at the whole farm level based on 4 years (two rotation cycles) of data from field experiments conducted on two Orthic Black Chernozem soils (clay loam and loam textures) in Manitoba, Canada. The highest net returns on the clay loam soil were for the high disturbance system with 60 kg N ha^?1 applied to wheat and the recommended rates of in-crop herbicides. The lowest application rate of N, together with low disturbance seeding, provided the highest economic returns on the loam soil. Energy use efficiency was highest for the lowest rate of N application for both tillage systems. The highest rate of N fertilizer and recommended rates of in-crop herbicide produced little additional yield response, lower net returns, and higher GHG emissions. An increase in N fertilizer application from 20 kg ha^?1 to 80 kg ha^?1 increased whole farm energy requirements by about 40%, while reducing herbicide rates had negligible effects on grain yields and total energy input. Overall, as N fertilizer rate increased, the associated GHG emissions were not offset by an increase in carbon retained in the above-ground crop biomass. Moderate to high soil test NO₃-N levels at experimental sites reduced the potential for positive yield responses to N fertilizer in this study, thus minimizing the economic benefits derived from N fertilizer application.     

Moisture pulses,trace gas emissions and soil C and N in cheatgrass and native grass-dominated sagebrush-steppe in Wyoming,USA

Effects of large-scale weed invasion on the nature and magnitude of moisture-pulse-driven soil processes in semiarid ecosystems are not clearly understood. The objective of this study was to monitor carbon dioxide (CO₂) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions and changes in soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) following the application of a water pulse in Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis) communities dominated by the exotic annual grass cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and by the native perennial grass western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii). Sampling locations were established in shrub interspaces dominated by B. tectorum and P. smithi and beneath shrub canopies adjacent to interspaces dominated by B. tectorum and P. smithi, where no grass was present. Soils were classified as fine-loamy, mixed, Borollic Haplargids. Soil samples (0–10 cm) and air samples were collected at 0, 4, 8, 24, 49, 72, and 216 h following additions of 25.4 mm of water. Soil samples were analyzed for dissolved organic carbon (DOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), extractable ammonia (NH₄⁺), extractable nitrate (NO₃^?), and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON). Grass species induced differences in soil nitrification, N₂O and CO₂ emissions, and the quantity and timing of labile C available to microbial populations responding to increased moisture availability. In the first 8-h phase after wetting P. smithii soils had the greatest CO₂ emissions compared to other soils but B. tectorum soils had the greatest N₂O emissions and the greatest increases in CO₂ emissions relative to before wetting. Microbial biomass C in B. tectorum interspace soils increased rapidly but the response was short-lived despite sufficient water availability. After the first 8 h of soil response to wetting, the observed MBC declines in B. tectorum interspace coincided with disproportional DOC and DON concentration increases. Similar DOC and DON increases were also observed in B. tectorum soils beneath shrub canopy. In contrast, DOC and DON concentrations in P. smithii soils remained unaffected by soil wetting and small MBC increases observed during the first 8-h phase did not decline as rapidly as in B. tectorum interspace soils. In conclusion, summer drying-wetting cycles that occur frequently in areas invaded by B. tectorum can accelerate rates of nitrification and C mineralization, and contribute significantly to trace gas emissions from sagebrush-steppe grasslands. With frequent summer rainfall events, the negative consequences B. tectorum presence in the ecosystem can be significant.