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Title: Tillage and Inorganic Nitrogen Source Effects on Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Irrigated Cropping Systems

Author
item Halvorson, Ardell
item Del Grosso, Stephen - Steve
item ALLUVIONE, FRANCESCO - U OF TURIN, TURIN, ITALY

Submitted to: Soil Science Society of America Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2009
Publication Date: 3/1/2010
Citation: Halvorson, A.D., Del Grosso, S.J., Alluvione, F. 2010. Tillage and Inorganic Nitrogen Source Effects on Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Irrigated Cropping Systems. Soil Science Society of America Journal. Vol. 74:, No.2, 436-445.

Interpretive Summary: Effects of N fertilizer source and tillage on nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from soils under several irrigated, crop management systems were evaluated. Irrigated corn production systems [conventional-till continuous corn (CT-CC); no-till continuous corn (NT-CC); NT corn-dry bean (NT-CDb); and NT corn-barley (NT-CB)] receiving different N sources at fertilizer rates of 246 kg N ha-1 when in corn, 56 kg N ha-1 when in dry bean, and 157 kg N ha-1 when in barley were monitored. A controlled-release, polymer-coated urea (ESN®) and dry granular urea were compared in the NT-CC and CT-CC systems. A stabilized N source (SuperU®) was compared with urea in the NT-CDb and NT-CB rotations. Cumulative growing season N2O emissions from urea and ESN® application were not different under CT-CC, but were different under NT-CC, where ESN® reduced N2O emissions 49% compared to urea. SuperU® reduced N2O emissions 27% compared to urea with application of 56 kg N ha-1 to dry bean in 2007 and 54% compared to urea with application of 246 kg N ha-1 to corn in 2008 in the NT-CDb rotation. SuperU® reduced N2O emissions 19% compared to urea with application of 157 kg N ha-1 to barley in 2007 and 51% compared to urea with application of 246 kg N ha-1 to corn in 2008 in the NT-CB rotation. This work shows that current fertilizer N technologies that delay release and transformation of N can substantially reduce N2O emissions from irrigated systems under specific cropping conditions, such as no-till.

Technical Abstract: Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions were monitored from irrigated corn production systems receiving different N sources at fertilizer rates of 246 kg N ha-1 when in corn (Zea mays L.), 56 kg N ha-1 when in dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), and 157 kg N ha-1 when in barley (Hordeum distichon L.). Cropping systems included: conventional-till continuous corn (CT-CC); no-till continuous corn (NT-CC); NT corn-dry bean (NT-CDb); and NT corn-barley (NT-CB). In the NT-CC and CT-CC systems, a controlled-release, polymer-coated urea (ESN®) and dry granular urea were compared. In the NT-CDb and NT-CB rotations, a stabilized N source (SuperU®) was compared with urea. Nitrous oxide fluxes were measured one to three times per week during two growing seasons using static, vented chambers and a gas chromatograph analyzer. Cumulative growing season N2O emissions from urea and ESN® application were not different under CT-CC, but were different under NT-CC, where ESN® reduced N2O emissions 49% compared to urea. SuperU® reduced N2O emissions 27% compared to urea with application of 56 kg N ha-1 to dry bean in 2007 and 54% compared to urea with application of 246 kg N ha-1 to corn in 2008 in the NT-CDb rotation. SuperU® reduced N2O emissions 19% compared to urea with application of 157 kg N ha-1 to barley in 2007 and 51% compared to urea with application of 246 kg N ha-1 to corn in 2008 in the NT-CB rotation. This work shows that current tillage and fertilizer N technologies that delay release and transformation of N can substantially reduce N2O emissions from irrigated systems under specific cropping conditions.