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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Morris, Minnesota » Soil Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #180359
Title: GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION FROM CONTRASTING MANAGEMENT SCENARIOS IN THE NORTHERN MIDWEST

Author
item Johnson, Jane
item Archer, David
item Barbour, Nancy
item Eklund, James

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/6/2005
Publication Date: 11/6/2005
Citation: Johnson, J.M., Archer, D.W., Barbour, N.W., Eklund, J.J. 2005. Greenhouse gas emission from contrasting management scenarios in the northern Midwest [abstract][CD-ROM]. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting. Nov. 6-10, 2005, Salt Lake City, UT.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: To identify and develop economically viable and environmentally sustainable farming systems, the risks and benefits associated with various management strategies need characterization. We hypothesized that minimized tillage and diversified crop rotation can improve soil quality and enhance sustainability. Long-term cropping systems field plots were established in 2002 in central MN to compare tillage, rotation and fertilizer treatments. We measured greenhouse gas emission in a subset of treatments selected to represent three different scenarios: "business as usual," "maximum C sequestration" and "optimum greenhouse gas benefits." The "business as usual" scenario has conventional tillage (chisel or moldboard plow) and receives high fertilizer inputs in a corn-soybean rotation. The "maximum C sequestration" scenario is strip tilled with a mole-knife and receives high fertilizer inputs in a corn-soybean-wheat/alfalfa-alfalfa rotation. The "optimum greenhouse gas benefits" scenario is strip tilled with a mole-knife but receives no fertilizer inputs in a corn-soybean-wheat/alfalfa-alfalfa rotation. Nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide emissions were monitored using vented static chambers, from early April through late November 2004, sampling resumed in February 2005. Collateral information collected included weather data, soil temperature and volumetric soil moisture at time of sampling. We observed largest fluxes in March, when the surface 1 to 3 cm of soil was thawing, even though air temperatures were below freezing. The flux varied by the previous season crop, and likely is related to available nitrogen. Carbon dioxide fluxes correlated with below-ground biomass.