National Soil Dynamics Laboratory Site Logo
ARS Home About Us Helptop nav spacerContact Us En Espanoltop nav spacer
Printable VersionPrintable Version     E-mail this pageE-mail this page
Agricultural Research Service United States Department of Agriculture
Search
  Advanced Search
 
Programs and Projects
Subjects of Investigation
 

Research Project: CONSERVATION SYSTEMS RESEARCH FOR IMPROVING ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND PRODUCER PROFITABILITY

Location: National Soil Dynamics Laboratory

Title: Microbial-Based Inoculants Impact N2O Emissions from an Incubated Soil Medium Containing Urea Fertilizers

Authors
item Calvo, Pamela -
item Watts, Dexter
item Kloepper, Joseph -
item Torbert, Henry

Submitted to: Journal of Environmental Quality
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: December 18, 2012
Publication Date: April 29, 2013
Citation: Calvo, P., Watts, D.B., Kloepper, J.W., Torbert III, H.A. 2013. Microbial-Based Inoculants Impact N2O Emissions from an Incubated Soil Medium Containing Urea Fertilizers. Journal of Environmental Quality. 42:704-712.

Interpretive Summary: Increases in atmospheric concentrations of nitrous oxide (N2O) from agricultural soils are attributed to excessive applications of nitrogen (N) fertilizers. Thus, new nutrient management strategies are needed. This study tested the hypothesis that microbial-based inoculants known to promote root growth and nutrient uptake will reduce emission of nitrous oxide in the presents of nitrogen fertilizers under controlled condition. The microbial based treatments were SoilBuilder (SB), a metabolite extract of SoilBuilder (SBF), and a mixture of four strains of plant growth-promoting Bacillus spp. Experiments included two different N fertilizers: urea, and urea ammonium nitrate 32% N (UAN) and a no-fertilizer control. After 29 days of incubation, cumulative emissions of N2O were reduced 80% SB and 44% SBF in soils fertilized with UAN. Treatment with Bacillus significantly reduces nitrous oxide production at 1 and 2 days of incubation in soils fertilized with UAN. Microbial-based treatments did not reduce N2O emissions associate with urea application. Overall, the results demonstrated that microbial-based inoculates can reduce emissions of N2O associated with N fertilizer application, and the response varied with the type of microbial inoculant and fertilizer.

Technical Abstract: The current study was conducted to test the hypothesis that microbial-based inoculants known to promote root growth and nutrient uptake will reduce emission of nitrous oxide in the presents of nitrogen fertilizers under controlled condition. The microbial based treatments were SoilBuilder (SB), a metabolite extract of SoilBuilder (SBF), and a mixture of four strains of plant growth-promoting Bacillus spp. Experiments included two different N fertilizers: urea, and urea ammonium nitrate 32% N (UAN) and a no-fertilizer control. Measurement of N2O and CO2 were determine from the soil incubations and analyzed with gas chromatography. After 29 days of incubation, cumulative emissions of N2O were reduced 80% SB and 44% SBF in soils fertilized with UAN. Treatment with Bacillus significantly reduces nitrous oxide production at 1 and 2 days of incubation in soils fertilized with UAN. In the un-fertilized treatment, cumulative emissions of N2O with SBF were significantly reduced by 92% and emissions at 2, 4, and 8 days of incubation were significantly reduced by SB and Bacillus. Microbial-based treatments did not reduce N2O emissions associate with urea application. Microbial-based treatments increased CO2 emissions from soils fertilized with UAN, indicating a possible increase in microbial activity. Overall, the results demonstrated that microbial-based inoculates can reduce emissions of N2O associated with N fertilizer application, and the response varied with the type of microbial inoculant and fertilizer.

   

 
Project Team
Balkcom, Kipling
Torbert, Henry - Allen
Duzy, Leah
Arriaga, Francisco
Price, Andrew
Watts, Dexter
Way, Thomas - Tom
Kornecki, Ted
 
Publications
   Publications
 
Related National Programs
  Climate Change, Soils, and Emissions (212)
  Agricultural System Competitiveness and Sustainability (216)
 
Related Projects
   DEVELOPING IMPROVED SOIL AND CROP MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN THE SOUTHEAST
 
 
Last Modified: 06/19/2013
ARS Home | USDA.gov | Site Map | Policies and Links 
FOIA | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Nondiscrimination Statement | Information Quality | USA.gov | White House