The carbon footprint of maize production as affected by nitrogen fertilizer and maize-legume rotations

Studies on the sustainability of crop production systems should consider both the carbon (C) footprint and the crop yield. Knowledge is urgently needed to estimate the C cost of maize (Zea mays L.) production in a continuous monoculture or in rotation with a leguminous crop, the popular rotation system in North America. In this study, we used a 19-year field experiment with maize under different levels of synthetic N treatments in a continuous culture or rotation with forage legume (Alfalfa or red clover; Medicago sativa L./Trifolium pratense L.) or soybean (Glycine max L. Merr) to assess the sustainability of maize production systems by estimating total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (kg?CO₂ eq?ha^?1) and the equivalent C cost of yield or C footprint (kg?CO₂ ?eq?kg^?1?grain). High N application increased both total GHG emissions and the C footprint across all the rotation systems. Compared to continuous maize monoculture (MM), maize following forage (alfalfa or red clover; FM) or grain (soybean; SM) legumes was estimated to generate greater total GHG emissions, however both FM and SM had a lower C footprint across all N levels due to increased productivity. When compared to MM treated with 100?kg?N?ha^?1, maize treated with 100?kg?N?ha^?1, following a forage legume resulted in a 5?% increase in total GHG emissions while reducing the C footprint by 17?%. Similarly, in 18 out of the 19-year period, maize treated with 100?kg?N?ha^?1, following soybean (SM) had a minimal effect on total GHG emissions (1?%), but reduced the C footprint by 8?%. Compared to the conventional MM with the 200?kg?N?ha^?1 treatment, FM with the 100?kg?N?ha^?1 treatment had 40?% lower total GHG emissions and 46?% lower C footprint. Maize with 100?kg?N?ha^?1 following soybean had a 42?% lower total GHG emissions and 41?% lower C footprint than MM treated with 200?kg?N?ha^?1. Clearly, there was a trade-off among total GHG emissions, C footprint and yield, and yield and GHG emissions or C footprint not linearly related. Our data indicate that maize production with 100?kg?N?ha^?1 in rotation with forage or grain legumes can maintain high productivity while reducing GHG emissions and the C footprint when compared to a continuous maize cropping system with 200?kg?N?ha^?1.     

Nitrous oxide emissions from a fertile grassland in Western Norway following the application of inorganic and organic fertilizers

In Norway, 65 % of the agricultural land is under grassland for feeding ruminants. The objective of the present study was to quantify N₂O emissions from grassland on a fertile sandy loam in Western Norway, and to estimate the response of seasonal N₂O emissions to added inorganic N, cattle slurry (CS) N and clover N. Ammonium nitrate (AN) and CS were applied manually at annual rates of 0, 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg AN-N ha^?1, 80 kg CS-N ha^?1 or as a combination of 200 kg AN-N ha^?1 and 80 kg CS-N ha^?1. Background N₂O emissions were five times higher in summer season 2009 than in 2010, but the relative amount of N₂O derived from AN was constant in both periods, amounting to 0.11 % of applied N. CS had no measurable impact on N₂O emissions in 2009, but 0.15 % of CS-N was emitted as N₂O during summer 2010. In the warm year of 2009, which included a drought period, 1–24 % of the N₂O emissions were attributed to the effect of clover depending on fertilization. Clover had no effect on N₂O fluxes in the cool and moist year 2010. Our results suggest that N₂O emissions in fertile Norwegian grasslands are to a great extent controlled by inter-annual variations in background emissions and variable contribution of biologically fixed N and CS-N.     

Quantification of nitrogen inputs from biological nitrogen fixation to whole farm nitrogen budgets of two dairy farms in Atlantic Canada

Legume biological N fixation (BNF) is a large source of uncertainty in farm N budgets. This study sought to quantify the BNF-N input to two whole farm nitrogen budgets and establish a simple and accurate method for incorporating BNF values as inputs in whole farm N budgets. Nitrogen inputs and outputs as well as flows of N between animal and crop production components were determined for a dairy farm in New Brunswick (NB) and Prince Edward Island (PE) over a two year period. The ¹⁵N natural abundance method was used to determine the %N derived from the atmosphere (%Ndfa) through BNF at both sites. Red clover (Trifolium pratense) at the PE site derived 77 % of its N from BNF and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) collected at both the PE and NB farms derived 72 % of its N from BNF. Total BNF-N present in legume biomass from mixed forage fields measured with the ¹⁵N natural abundance method ranged from 39 to 116 kg N ha^?1 year^?1. A legume dry matter conversion model adjusted with %Ndfa and %N of red clover and alfalfa samples from both farm sites was selected to estimate BNF-N inputs from mixed forage fields on the farms. Averaged across the entire cropland area at each farm site, the BNF-N inputs ranged from 27 to 52 kg N ha^?1 year^?1. The farmgate BNF-N inputs are low in comparison to other studies, possibly due to low legume contents in forage fields. BNF accounted for 18–29 % of farmgate N inputs at the farms. Surpluses of N found at both farm sites ranged from 98 to 135 kg N ha^?1 year^?1, typical to the whole farm N budgets of similar dairy farms.     

Effects of pig and dairy slurry application on N and P leaching from crop rotations with spring cereals and forage leys

Two crop rotations dominated by spring cereals and grass/clover leys on a clay soil were studied over 2 years with respect to nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) leaching associated with pig or dairy slurry application in April, June and October. Leaching losses of total N (TN), total P (TP), nitrate-N and dissolved reactive P (DRP) were determined in separately tile-drained field plots (four replicates). Mean annual DRP leaching after October application of dairy slurry (17 kg P ha^?1) to growing grass/clover was 0.37 kg ha^?1. It was significantly higher than after October application of pig slurry (13 kg ha^?1) following spring cereals (0.16 kg ha^?1) and than in the unfertilised control (0.07 kg P ha^?1). The proportion of DRP in TP in drainage water from the grass/clover crop rotation (35 %) was higher than from the spring cereal rotation (25 %) and the control (14 %). The grass/clover rotation proved to be very robust with respect to N leaching, with mean TN leaching of 10.5 kg ha^?1 year^?1 compared with 19.2 kg ha^?1 year^?1 from the cereal crop rotation. Pig slurry application after cereals in October resulted in TN leaching of 25.7 kg ha^?1 compared with 7.0 kg ha^?1 year^?1 after application to grass/clover in October and 19.1 kg ha^?1 year^?1 after application to spring cereals in April. In conclusion, these results show that crop rotations dominated by forage leys need special attention with respect to DRP leaching and that slurry application should be avoided during wet conditions or combined with methods to increase adsorption of P to soil particles.     

Productivity of nitrogen fertilized plantain in intercropping systems

The investigation evaluated the productivity of plantain intercropped with cassava, cocoyam and yam, fertilized annually with 0, 320 and 480 kg N ha^–1 respectively. Yields from nitrogen fertilized intercrops were higher than those of unfertilized treatments. In plantain + cassava intercrop receiving 480 kg N ha^–1 plantain growth was suppressed. Plantain intercropped with yam and fertilized with 320 kg N ha^–1 matured early and produced better bunches than other treatments. Plantain + yam or cocoyam intercropping systems fertilized with 320 kg N ha^–1 were recommended because of improved plantain establishment and increased combined crop yields.     

Soil nutrient content and nutrient balances in newly-built solar greenhouses in northern China

Soil nutrient content and nutrient balances in newly-built solar greenhouses in the southern part of China??s Loess Plateau were investigated over two consecutive years. Farmers applied manure and inorganic fertilizers at average annual rates of 1,907?kg?N ha^?1, 1,601?kg?P₂O₅?ha^?1 and 1,742?kg?K₂O?ha^?1. Manure accounted for 65?% of the total N input, 57?% of the total P input and 55?% of the total K input. The average annual nutrient surpluses were 1,374?kg?N?ha^?1, 1,468?kg?P₂O₅?ha^?1 and 881?kg?K₂O?ha^?1. Soil organic matter, total N, available P, available K and electrical conductivity (EC) increased significantly across time in the topsoil (0?C20?cm depth), but not in the subsoil (20?C100?cm depth). The nitrate?CN concentrations (mg?N?kg^?1) of the 0?C100?cm depth increased by 163?C336?% over 2?years. The average accumulation of nitrate?CN (kg?N?ha^?1) of the 0?C100?cm depth increased by 241?% and leveled out at 511?kg?N?ha^?1; and it was 1,015?kg?N?ha^?1 in the 0?C200?cm depth. In conclusion, over-fertilization led to large nutrient surpluses in the soil of newly-built greenhouses.     

Effects of rainfall and fertilizer types on nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in surface runoff from subtropical tea fields in Zhejiang, China

The increasing input of fertilizers in tea (Camellia sinensis L.) fields may contribute to the deterioration of surface water quality. A plot study was conducted over a 2-year period (2010?C2011) to evaluate the effects of rainfall and fertilizer types on nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations in surface runoff from tea fields. Studies were arranged on slope of 18?% of red clay at a subtropical tea fields in Tiaoxi watershed of Zhejiang province, southeast China. Organic (OF), slow-release (SRF), and conventional chemical fertilizers were applied to different plots at rates of 248?kg?N?ha^?1 and 125.2?kg?P?ha^?1 in 2010 and 300?kg?N?ha^?1 and 100?kg?P?ha^?1 in 2011. Rainfall amounts showed statistically significant correlations with concentrations of TN and TP in runoff water from all fertilized treatments. Although equivalent N and P were applied in each fertilized treatment, the OF treatment had the lowest annual arithmetic mean concentration of total N in runoff in 2010 (6.1?mg?L^?1) and was amongst the lowest in 2011 (9.2?mg?L^?1) with concentration statistically similar to SRF (9.0?mg?L^?1). The SRF treatment had the lowest annual arithmetic mean concentration of total P in runoff in 2010 (1.50?mg?L^?1), while few differences were observed in concentration of total P between fertilized treatments in 2011. The research results suggested that replacement of conventional chemical fertilizers with organic or slow-release fertilizers in tea fields could reduce N and P losses while maintaining tea yields.     

The Effect of Future Climate Perturbations on N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O Emissions from a Fertilized Humid Grassland

N₂O emissions from a fertilized humid grassland near Cork, Ireland were continuously measured during 2003 using an eddy covariance system. For most of the year emissions were close to zero and 60% of the emissions occurred in eight major events of 2–20 days’ duration. Two hundred and seven kg ha⁻¹ of synthetic N and 130 kg ha⁻¹ organic N were applied over the year and the total measured annual N₂O emission was 11.6 kg N ha⁻¹. The flux data were used to test the prediction of N₂O emissions by the DNDC (DeNitrification – DeComposition) model. The model predicted total emissions of 15.4 kg N ha⁻¹, 32 % more than the observed emissions. On this basis the model was further used to simulate (a) background (non-anthropogenic) N₂O emissions and (b) the effect on N₂O emissions of future climate perturbations based on the Hadley Center model output of the IS92a scenario for Ireland. DNDC predicts 1.7 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ of background N₂O emissions, accounting for 15% of the observed emissions. Climate shifts will increase total annual modeled N₂O emissions from 15.4 kg N ha⁻¹ to 22.4 kg N ha⁻¹ if current levels of N applications are maintained, or to 21.2 kg N ha⁻¹ if synthetic N applications are reduced to 170 kg N ha⁻¹ to comply with recent EU water quality legislation. Thus the projected increase in N₂O emissions due to climate change is far larger than the decrease expected from reduced fertilizer applications.     

How much nitrogen is fixed by biological symbiosis in tropical dry forests? 2. Herbs

Although biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is considered the main input of N in mature and regenerating native tropical vegetation, it has seldom been quantified. Biomass and N accumulation and fixation were determined for spontaneously occurring herbaceous species in caatinga areas in four regeneration stages (2, 17, 39 and >50?years after abandonment from agricultural use). BNF was estimated using the ¹⁵N natural-abundance method. The 2-year regeneration area had the highest total herb (6,355?kg?ha^?1) and legume (262?kg?ha^?1) biomass production, N stocks (82?kg?ha^?1) and fixed N (5.0?kg?ha^?1). N₂-fixing legumes (nine species in the sampled area) contributed over 97?% of legume biomass in all areas. Macroptilium gracile added the largest amount of N (3.9?kg?ha^?1 in the 2-year regeneration area) because of its large biomass production (205?kg?ha^?1), although it was not the species with the highest proportion of fixed N (76?%). All of the N₂-fixing species obtained large proportions of their N from symbiosis, most of them more than 50?%.However, the amounts of fixed N per unit area were relatively low (0.22?C5.00?kg?ha^?1) because the biomass of N₂-fixing species was always less than 5?% of the total herb biomass.     

The combined effect of fertiliser nitrogen and phosphorus on herbage yield and changes in soil nutrients of a grass/clover and grass-only sward

The combined effect of reduced nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) application on the production of grass-only and grass/clover swards was studied in a five-year cutting experiment on a marine clay soil, established on newly sown swards. Furthermore, changes in soil N, P and carbon (C) were measured. Treatments included four P (0, 35, 70 and 105 kg P ha^–1 year^–1) and three N levels (0, 190 and 380 N kg ha^–1 year^–1) and two sward types (grass-only and grass/clover). Nitrogen was the main factor determining the yield and quality of the harvested herbage. On the grass-only swards, N application increased the DM yield with 28 or 22 kg DM kg N^–1, at 190 or 380 kg N ha^–1 year^–1, respectively. The average apparent N recovery was 0.78 kg kg^–1. On the grass/clover swards, N application of 190 ha^–1 year^–1 increased grass production at the cost of white clover, which decreased from 41 to 16%. Phosphorus application increased grass yields, but did not increase clover yields. A positive interaction between N and P applications was observed. However, the consequences of this interaction for the optimal N application were only minor, and of little practical relevance. Both the P-AL-value and total soil P showed a positive response to P application and a negative response to N application. Furthermore, the positive effect of P application decreased with increasing N application. The annual changes in P-AL-value and total soil P were closely related to the soil surface surplus, which in turn was determined by the level of N and P application and their interaction. The accumulation of soil N was similar on both sward types, but within the grass-only swards soil N was positively affected by N application. The accumulation of organic C was unaffected by N or P application, but was lower under grass/clover than under grass-only.     

The value of poultry manure for wetland rice grown in rotation with wheat

Poultry manure applied alone or in combination with urea at different N levels was evaluated as a N source for wetland rice grown in a Fatehpur loamy sand soil. Residual effects were studied on wheat which followed rice every year during the three cropping cycles. In the first year, poultry manure did not perform better than urea but by the third year, when applied in quantities sufficient to supply 120 and 180 kg N ha^–1, it produced significantly more rice grain yield than the same rates of N as urea. Poultry manure sustained the grain yield of rice during the three years while the yield decreased with urea. Apparent N recovery by rice decreased from 45 to 28% during 1987 to 1989 in the case of urea, but it remained almost the same (35, 33 and 37%) for poultry manure. Thus, urea N values of poultry manure calculated from yield or N uptake data following two different approaches averaged 80, 112 and 127% in 1987, 1988 and 1989, respectively. Poultry manure and urea applied in 1:1 ratio on N basis produced yields in between the yields from the two sources applied alone. After three cycles of rice-wheat rotation, the organic matter in the soil increased with the amount of manure applied to a plot. Olsen available P increased in soils amended with poultry manure. A residual effect of poultry manure applied to rice to supply 120 or 180 kg N ha^–1 was observed in the wheat which followed rice and it was equivalent to 40 kg N ha^–1 plus some P applied directly to wheat.     

Fractions of organic carbon in soils under different crop rotations, cover crops and fertilization practices

We investigated the long-term effects (13–48 years) of crop rotations, cover crops and fertilization practices on soil organic carbon fractions. Two long-term experiments conducted on a clay loam soil in southeastern Norway were used. From the crop rotation experiment, two rotations, one with two years grain + four years grass and the second with grain alone (both for 6 years), were selected. Each rotation was divided into moderate fertilizer rate (30–40 kg N ha^–1), normal fertilizer rate (80–120 kg N ha^–1) and farmyard manure (FYM 60 Mg ha^–1 + inorganic N at normal rate). Farmyard manure was applied only once in a 6-year rotation, while NPK was applied to every crop. The cover crop experiment with principal cereal crops consisted of three treatments: no cover, rye grass and clover as cover crops. Each cover crop was fertilized with 0 and 120 kg ha^–1 N rates. Soil samples from both experiments were taken from 0–10 cm and 10–25 cm depths in the autumn of 2001. The classical extraction procedure with alkali and acid solution was used to separate humic acid (HA), fulvic acid (FA) and humin fractions, while H₂O₂ was used to separate black carbon (BC) from the humin fraction. The rotation of grain + grass showed a significantly higher soil organic carbon (SOC) compared with grain alone at both depths. Farmyard manure application resulted in significantly higher SOC than that of mineral fertilizer only. However, cover crops and N rates did not affect SOC significantly. Organic carbon content of FA, HA and humin fractions accounted for about 29%, 25% and 44% of SOC, respectively. The rotation of grain+grass gave a higher C content in HA and humin fractions, and a lower C in the FA fraction as compared with the rotation with grain alone. Farmyard manure increased HA and humin fractions more than did chemical fertilizers. Clover cover crop increased the C proportion of humin more than rye grass and no cover crop. No significant differences in C contents of FA, HA and humin fractions were observed between N rates. Effects of cover crop and N rates as well as fertilization with NPK on black carbon (BC) content were significant only at 10–25 cm depths. Farmyard manure increased the BC fraction compared with chemical fertilizers. Clover crop also enhanced the accumulation of the BC fraction. Application of 120 kg N ha^–1 resulted in a significant increase of the BC fraction.     

Nitrous oxide emissions as influenced by legume cover crops and nitrogen fertilization

In this study, we measured nitrous oxide (N₂O) fluxes from plots of fall-planted hairy vetch (HV, Vicia villosa) and spring-planted broadleaf vetch (BLV, Vicia narbonensis) grown as nitrogen (N) sources for following summer forage crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis). Comparisons also included 60 kg ha^?1 inorganic N fertilizer for crabgrass at planting (60-N) and a control without N fertilizer. Each treatment had six replicated plots across the slope. Fluxes were measured with closed chamber systems during the period between spring growth of cover crops and first-cut of crabgrass in mid-July. HV had strong stand and aboveground biomass had 185?±?50 kg N ha^?1 (mean?±?standard error, n?=?6) at termination. However, BLV did not establish well and aboveground biomass had only 35?±?15 kg N ha^?1. Ratio vegetation index of crabgrass measured as proxy of biomass growth was highest in HV treatment. However, total aboveground biomass of crabgrass was statistically similar to 60-N plots. Fluxes of N₂O were low prior to termination of cover crops but were as high as 8.2 kg N₂O ha^?1 day^?1 from HV plots after termination. The fluxes were enhanced by large rainfall events recorded after biomass incorporation. Rainfall enhanced N₂O fluxes were also observed in other treatments, but their magnitudes were much smaller. The high N₂O fluxes from HV plots contributed to emissions of 30.3?±?12.4 kg N₂O ha^?1 within 30 days of biomass incorporation. Emissions were only 2.0?±?0.7, 3.4?±?1.3 and 1.0?±?0.4 kg N₂O ha^?1 from BLV, 60-N and control plots, respectively.     

Growth,grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency of Mediterranean wheat in soils amended with municipal sewage sludge

The application of sewage sludge (SS) to agricultural land can improve soil fertility and physical properties, and enhance crop production. This field study was conducted for two consecutive growing seasons to investigate the influence of SS application on winter wheat growth, grain yield, N accumulation, translocation and use, and on trace elements concentrations in soil and wheat plants under Mediterranean conditions. Treatments consisted of three rates of SS, i.e. 20, 40, and 60 Mg dry weight ha^?1 year^?1, one rate of inorganic fertilizer (IF, 120 kg N ha^?1 year^?1 plus 80 kg P₂O₅ ha^?1 year^?1), and an unamended control. The application of SS resulted in tall plants with high early dry matter and N accumulation similar to or significantly higher than those obtained with IF. The lowest SS application rate resulted in grain yield similar to that obtained with IF. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in SS treatments was mainly determined by uptake efficiency, which decreased with increasing SS application rate. Values of NUE and biomass production efficiency with the lowest SS rate were similar to those obtained with IF. SS application resulted in increased concentrations of total and DTPA-extractable trace elements in the soil after the first year, but concentrations were much lower than the regulation limits. Concentrations of Cu, Mn and Zn in wheat plants did not exceed those obtained with IF. Overall, SS could be considered for use as a fertilizer in wheat production systems in the area, serving also as an alternative method of SS disposal.     

Effect of crop-specific field management and N fertilization on N2O emissions from a fine-loamy soil

Agricultural soils are a major source of atmospheric N₂O. This study was conducted to determine the effect of different crop-specific field management and N fertilization rates on N₂O emissions from a fine-loamy Dystric Eutrochrept. Fluxes of N₂O were measured for two years at least once a week on plots cropped with potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) fertilized with 50 or 150 kg N ha⁻¹ a⁻¹, winterwheat (Triticum aestivum) fertilized with 90 or 180 kg N ha⁻¹ a⁻¹, corn (Zea mays) fertilized with 65 or 130 kg N ha⁻¹ a⁻¹, and on an unfertilized, set-aside soil planted with grass (mainly Lolium perenne and Festuca rubra). The mean N₂O emission rate from the differently managed plots was closely correlated to the mean soil nitrate content in the Ap horizon for the cropping period (April to October, r ² = 0.74), the winter period (November to March, r ² = 0.93, one outlier excluded), and the whole year (r ² = 0.81). N₂O emissions outside the cropping period accounted for up to 58% of the annual emissions and were strongly affected by frost-thaw cycles. There was only a slight relationship between the amount of fertilizer N applied and the annual N₂O emission (r ² = 0.20). The mean annual N₂O-N emission from the unfertilized set-aside soil was 0.29 kg ha⁻¹. The annual N₂O-N emission from the fertilized crops for the low and the recommended rates of N fertilization were 1.34 and 2.41 kg ha⁻¹ for corn, 2.70 and 3.64 kg ha⁻¹ for wheat, and 5.74 and 6.93 kg ha⁻¹ for potatoes. The high N₂O emissions from potato plots were due to (i) high N₂O losses from the interrow area during the cropping season and (ii) high soil nitrate contents after the potato harvest. The reduction of N fertilization (fertilizer was applied in spring and early summer) resulted in decreased N₂O emissions during the cropping period. However, the emissions during the winter were not affected by the rate of N fertilization. The results show that the crop-specific field management had a great influence on the annual N₂O emissions. It also affected the emissions per unit N fertilizer applied. The main reasons for this crop effect were crop-specific differences in soil nitrate and soil moisture content. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

N-fertiliser application or legume integration enhances N cycling in tropical pastures

Understanding the effects of N application or the introduction of a legume on N cycling is critical for achieving productive and sustainable grassland systems. This 2-year study assessed the N cycling of three pasture treatments: (1) mixed Marandu palisadegrass (Brachiaria brizantha) and forage peanut (Arachis pintoi) without N fertiliser (GRASS?+?LEGUME); (2) monoculture Marandu palisadegrass fertilised with 150 kg N ha^?1 year^?1 (GRASS?+?N); and (3) monoculture Marandu palisadegrass without N fertiliser (GRASS). Continuous stocking was used with a target canopy height of 0.20 to 0.25 m. Litter responses, forage and N intake, N livestock excretion and N cycling were measured. Existing litter and litter deposition rate were greatest in GRASS pasture (3030 and 84.3 vs. 2140 kg ha^?1 and 64.8 kg OM ha^?1 d^?1; average of GRASS?+?N and GRASS?+?LEGUME pastures, respectively; P?<?0.10). Litter decomposition rate in GRASS pasture was smaller 30.4 and 36.0% compared to GRASS?+?N and GRASS?+?LEGUME pastures, respectively (P?<?0.10). The GRASS?+?N obtained greatest (P?<?0.10) faecal N excretion (21.7 vs. 13.8 kg N ha^?1 season^?1), and urinary N excretion (32.0 vs. 14.2 kg N ha^?1 season^?1). In the GRASS?+?N and GRASS?+?LEGUME pastures, there was a positive overall change of N in the soil–plant–animal system of 13 and 33 kg N ha^?1 year^?1, respectively. In the GRASS pasture, there was an overall negative change of N in the soil–plant–animal system of ??41 kg N ha^?1 year^?1. Nitrogen application or the integration of forage peanut in a grass pasture increased the conservation of soil N reserves.

     

Effect of Continuous use of Sodic Irrigation Water with and without Gypsum, Farmyard manure, Pressmud and Fertilizer on Soil Properties and Yields of Rice and Wheat in a Long term Experiment

A long term field experiment was conducted for 8 years during 1994–2001 to evaluate the effect of N, P, K and Zn fertilizer use alone and in combination with gypsum, farmyard manure (FYM) and pressmud on changes in soil properties and yields of rice and wheat under continuous use of sodic irrigation water (residual sodium carbonate (RSC) 8.5 meq l⁻¹, and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) 8.8 (m mol/l)^1/2 at Bhaini Majra experimental farm of Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, India. Continuous use of fertilizer N alone (120 kg ha⁻¹) or in combination with P and K significantly improved rice and wheat yields over control (no fertilizer). Phosphorus applied at the rate of 26 kg P ha⁻¹ each to rice and wheat significantly improved the yields and led to a considerable build up in available soil P. When N alone was applied, available soil P and K declined from the initial level of 14.8 and 275 kg ha⁻¹ to 8.5 and 250 kg ha⁻¹ respectively. Potassium applied at a rate of 42 kg K ha⁻¹ to both crops had no effect on yields. Response of rice to Zinc application occurred since 1997 when DTPA extractable Zn declined to 1.48 kg ha⁻¹ from the initial level of 1.99 kg ha⁻¹. Farmyard manure 10 Mg ha⁻¹, gypsum 5 Mg ha⁻¹ and pressmud 10 Mg ha⁻¹ along with NPK fertilizer use significantly enhanced yields over NPK treatment alone. Continuous cropping with sodic water and inorganic fertilizer use for 8 years slightly decreased the soil pH_e and SAR from the initial value of 8.6 and 29.0 to 8.50 and 18.7 respectively. However, treatments involving the use of gypsum, FYM and pressmud significantly decreased the soil pH and SAR over inorganic fertilizer treatments and control. Nitrogen, phosphorus and zinc uptake were far less than additions made by fertilizer. The actual soil N balance was much lower than the expected balance thereby indicating large losses of N from the soil. There was a negative potassium balance due to greater removal by the crops when compared to K additions. The results suggest that either gypsum or FYM/pressmud along with recommended dose of fertilizers must be used to sustain the productivity of rice – wheat system in areas having sodic ground water for irrigation.     

Effects of N management on N2O and CH4 fluxes and15N

Forage production in irrigated mountain meadows plays a vital role in the livestock industry in Colorado and Wyoming. Mountain meadows are areas of intensive fertilization and irrigation which may impact regional CH₄ and N₂O fluxes. Nitrogen fertilization typically increases yields, but N-use efficiency is generally low. Neither the amount of fertilizer-N recovered by the forage nor the effect on N₂O and CH₄ emissions were known. These trace gases are long-lived in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming potential and stratospheric ozone depletion. From 1991 through 1993 studies were conducted to determine the effect of N source, and timing of N-fertilization on forage yield, N-uptake, and trace gas fluxes at the CSU Beef Improvement Center near Saratoga, Wyoming. Plots were fertilized with 168 kg N ha^-1. Microplots labeled with¹⁵N-fertilizer were established to trace the fate of the added N. Weekly fluxes of N₂O and CH₄ were measured during the snow-free periods of the year. Although CH₄ was consumed when soils were drying, flood irrigation converted the meadow into a net source of CH₄. Nitrogen fertilization did not affect CH₄ flux but increased N₂O emissions. About 5% of the applied N was lost as N₂O from spring applied NH₄NO₃, far greater than the amount lost as N₂O from urea or fall applied NH₄NO₃. Fertilizer N additions increased forage biomass to a maximum of 14.6 Mg ha^-1 with spring applied NH₄NO₃. Plant uptake of N-fertilizer was greater with spring applications (42%), than with fall applications (22%).     

Effect of wheat straw application on ammonia volatilization from urea applied to a paddy field

A proper amount of nitrogen (N) fertilizer is critical for the ideal production in the wheat-rice rotation in the Yangtse Delta region of China and straw retention is important for sustaining soil quality and productivity. However, the effects of straw retention on paddy field ammonia volatilization from applied urea are unclear. The objectives of this study were to explore the effect of wheat straw retuned with urea and to evaluate how floodwater ammonium concentration and pH, soil Eh influence on flooded rice field ammonia volatilization. The study was conducted for 2?years using a lysimeter experiment included 5 treatments, urea applied at rates of 0, 180, 240?kg?N?ha^?1 with no retained straw, and at rates of 180 and 240?kg?N?ha^?1 with 6.5?t?ha^?1 of retained wheat straw. Urea was split into three applications: incorporated at transplanting, tillering, and topdressing at panicle emergence. Rice was flooded to a depth of 5?cm and grown in rotation with irrigated wheat as a source of straw. Averaged over the two levels of applied N, straw incorporation increased the floodwater ammonium concentration by 11.5?C22.5?%, pH by 0.13?C0.70 units but reduced topsoil Eh by 1.0?C47?mv. Ammonia volatilization increased with the increasing amounts of urea applied and with straw incorporated. With no retained straw, the average ammonia volatilization from the fertilized treatments was 40.4?kg?N?ha^?1, accounting for 15.8?% of the fertilizer-N. With retained wheat straw, the average ammonia volatilization from the fertilized treatments was 51.9?kg?N?ha^?1, accounting for 21.3?% of the fertilizer-N. The increase in ammonia volatilization caused by straw incorporation may be partly attributed to the presence of urease in the straw and to the increased pH in the floodwater. It is unclear whether the reduced redox potential also contributed to ammonia volatilization.     

Nitrogen leaching and indirect nitrous oxide emissions from fertilized croplands in Zimbabwe

Agricultural efforts to end hunger in Africa are hampered by low fertilizer-use-efficiency exposing applied nutrients to losses. This constitutes economic losses and environmental concerns related to leaching and greenhouse gas emissions. The effects of NH₄NO₃ (0, 60 and 120?kg?N?ha^?1) on N uptake, N-leaching and indirect N₂O emissions were studied during three maize (Zea mays L.) cropping seasons on clay (Chromic luvisol) and sandy loam (Haplic lixisol) soils in Zimbabwe. Leaching was measured using lysimeters, while indirect N₂O emissions were calculated from leached N using the emission factor methodology. Results showed accelerated N-leaching (3?C26?kg?ha^?1?season^?1) and N-uptake (10?C92?kg?ha^?1) with N input. Leached N in groundwater had potential to produce emission increments of 0?C94?g N₂O-N?ha^?1?season^?1 on clay soil, and 5?C133?g N₂O-N?ha^?1?season^?1 on sandy loam soil following the application of NH₄NO₃. In view of this short-term response intensive cropping using relatively high N rate may be more appropriate for maize in areas whose soils and climatic conditions are similar to those investigated in this study, compared with using lower N rates or no N over relatively larger areas to attain a targeted food security level.