Fertilization Scenarios in Sprinkler‐Irrigated Corn under Mediterranean Conditions: Effects on Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Issue 3 (24th June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Álvaro-Fuentes, Jorge; Arrúe, José Luis; Cantero-Martínez, Carlos; Isla, Ramón; Plaza-Bonilla, Daniel; Quílez, Dolores
• Is Part Of: Soil Science Society of America Journal. Volume 80:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 662
• Page End: 671
• Publication Date: 2016-06-24
• Subjects: Soils -- United States -- Periodicals; Soil science -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 631.4973
• DOI: 10.2136/sssaj2015.04.0156
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0361-5995

Abstract

Abstract : Core Ideas: Soil GHG emissions were quantified in four fertilization scenarios in irrigated corn. Fertilization scenarios had minor effect on CO2 and CH4 emissions. Soil mineral N level affected N2 O emissions and yield‐scaled N2 O emissions. Agricultural soils emit greenhouse gases (GHG). Excessive application of N fertilizer may lead to the accumulation of mineral N in the soil, which is susceptible to loss to the environment. The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of two levels of available mineral N before planting (L, low; H, high) and two rates of NH4 NO3 fertilizer (0 and 300 kg N ha −1 ) on soil CH4, CO2, and N2 O emissions in a sprinkler‐irrigated corn ( Zea mays L.) field located in northeastern Spain during two growing seasons (2011 and 2012). For both soil N levels at planting, several sampling dates showed higher N2 O emissions in the 300 kg N ha −1 treatment than the 0 kg N ha −1 treatment. Applications of N fertilizer resulted in a short‐lived increase of N2 O emitted. Differences among fertilization treatments were found for soil CO2 emissions in 2011 and for soil N2 O emissions in 2011 and 2012. No differences were found between treatments for CH4 . In the 2012 season, the application of 300 kg N ha −1 in the L scenario reduced N2 O yield‐scaled emissions (g N2 O‐N kg −1 aboveground N uptake) by 30% due to a significant increase in corn yield (7.6 Mg grain ha −1 ) compared with the treatment without N. Conversely, under the H scenario, N application doubled yield‐scaled N2 O emissions. Results of this study demonstrate that fertilization strategies need to take into account mineral N levels in the soil before sowing to reduce GHG emissions during the growing season.