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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Orono, Maine » New England Plant, Soil and Water Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #207807
Title: Emissions of CO2 and N2O From Three Potato Systems in Maine

Author
item Griffin, Timothy
item Honeycutt, Charles
item Sikora, Lawrence

Submitted to: Northeast Potato Technology Forum Abstracts
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/6/2007
Publication Date: 3/14/2007
Citation: Griffin, T.S., Honeycutt, C.W., Sikora, L.J. 2007. Emissions of CO2 and N2O From Three Potato Systems in Maine. Northeast Potato Technology Forum Abstracts. CD-ROM

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Estimating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and soil carbon sequestration requires measurements be made within different crop production systems. A long-term potato cropping system experiment established in 2004 in Presque Isle, ME, on a sandy loam soil addresses three scenarios [ 1) Business as Usual, 2) Maximizing Soil C Sequestration, and 3) Minimizing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emission] that are relevant to a USDA-ARS Cross-Location Research Project involving 30 locations. Our objective was to compare GHG emissions from these three systems during the growing season. The Business as Usual system consists of a barley-potato rotation with fall tillage for both crops. The Soil C Sequestration scenario employs no-till planting barley plus interseeded timothy in Year 1, followed by timothy sod in Year 2, and spring tillage with potato in Year 3. This system is present with and without annual compost application. Emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane were monitored in the barley phase of each system 14 times during the 2006 growing season using aluminum chambers installed in the soil. Significant cropping system effects on carbon dioxide flux were identified on nearly every sampling date. Less carbon dioxide was given off from the Business as Usual system than the other two management systems during the first half of the season, likely reflecting increased labile C inputs in the other two systems (from sod and compost); however, the carbon dioxide flux was higher from this system at the end of the season. Cumulative C flux was slightly higher in the 3-yr rotations. Nitrous oxide flux was very low after July 15. Prior to July 15, cumulative N flux was significantly higher in the compost-amended system. This research will contribute to regional and national estimates of GHG emissions from agriculture.