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Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a major greenhouse gas and cultivated soils are the most important anthropogenic source. N2O production and consumption are known to occur at depths below the A or Ap horizon, but their magnitude in situ is largely unknown. At a site in SW Michigan, USA, we measured N2O concentrations at different soil depths and used diffusivity models to examine the importance of depth-specific production and consumption. We also tested the influence of crop and management practices on subsurface N2O production in (1) till versus no-till, (2) a nitrogen fertilizer gradient, and (3) perennial crops including successional vegetation. N2O concentrations below 20 cm exceeded atmospheric concentrations by up to 900 times, and profile concentrations increased markedly with depth except immediately after fertilization when production was intense in the surface horizon, and in winter, when surface emissions were blocked by ice. Diffusivity analysis showed that N2O production at depth was especially important in annual crops, accounting for over 50% of total N2O production when crops were fertilized at recommended rates. At nitrogen fertilizer rates exceeding crop need, subsurface N2O production contributed 25–35% of total surface emissions. Dry conditions deepened the maximum depth of N2O production. Tillage did not. In systems with perennial vegetation, subsurface N2O production contributed less than 20% to total surface emissions. Results suggest that the fraction of total N2O produced in subsurface horizons can be substantial in annual crops, is low under perennial vegetation, appears to be largely controlled by subsurface nitrogen and moisture, and is insensitive to tillage.
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Managing nitrogen fertilizers in the field to reduce greenhouse gases.
Improving the management of nitrogen fertilizer makes sense. It can reduce farm costs by increasing nitrogen use efficiency without reducing yields. It can also benefit our environment by reducing the emissions of a potent greenhouse gas called nitrous oxide. Better still, by improving nitrogen management, farmers can receive payment for reducing emissions of this gas through the market place. Agriculture is a source and a sink for greenhouse gases that affect our climate. All three of the major greenhouse gases are produced naturally in agricultural soils—carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). Nitrous oxide is the most important in all field crops but rice due to its link with the use of nitrogen fertilizer.
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- PAR ID:
- 10039207
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Fertilizer focus
- ISSN:
- 0951-1490
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 54-57
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
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