ARS | Publication request: Vertical Distributions of Microbial Enzyme Activity Under Reduced Versus Conventional Tillage: Role in Mediating N20 Emissions

Submitted to: USDA Greenhouse Gas Symposium
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: December 1, 2006
Publication Date: February 8, 2007
Citation: Venterea, R.T. 2007. Vertical Distributions of Microbial Enzyme Activity Under Reduced Versus Conventional Tillage: Role in Mediating N20 Emissions [abstract]. Fourth USDA Greenhouse Gas Symposium Abstracts. February 5-8, 2007, Baltimore, MD. 2007 CD ROM.

Technical Abstract: A variety of edaphic, climatic, hydrologic, and management variables have been shown to regulate nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from agricultural soils. Reactions catalyzed by microbial enzyme systems are the generating and consuming processes which are subject to influence from these other factors. There are still many aspects of microbial enzyme activity related to N2O production that are poorly understood. While a detailed understanding of all potential N2O-mediating enzyme systems may not be needed for improving nitrogen management under reduced tillage systems, there are some fundamental characteristics of these systems that have important practical implications. Using a combination of experimental data and gas transport modeling, this poster examines characteristics of N2O -mediating enzyme systems that are currently not well understood. Interactions of these characteristics with management factors can strongly regulate field N2O emissions. Some of these effects only become evident when gas transport processes are considered together with vertical distributions of substrates and microbial enzyme activity. Our ability to incorporate such factors and interactions into effective predictive models may be currently limited. However, improved understanding can only assist the development of better assessment and management options.