Journal Article

PreJuSER-18210

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png N2O fluxes from a Haplic Luvisol under intensive production of lettuce and cauliflower as affected by different N-fertilization strategies

Pfab, H. ; Palmer, I. ; Buegger, F. ; Fiedler, S.FZJ* ; Müller, T. ; Ruser, R.

2011
Wiley-VCH Weinheim

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1002/jpln.201000123

Abstract: Vegetable-production systems often show high soil mineral-N contents and, thus, are potential sources for the release of the climate-relevant trace gas N2O from soils. Despite numerous investigations on N2O fluxes, information on the impact of vegetable-production systems on N2O emissions in regions with winter frost is still rare. This present study aimed at measuring the annual N2O emissions and the total yield of a lettuce-cauliflower rotation at different fertilization rates on a Haplic Luvisol in a region exposed to winter frost (S Germany). We measured N2O emissions from plots fertilized with 0, 319, 401, and 528 kg N ha(-1) (where the latter three amounts represented a strongly reduced N-fertilization strategy, a target value system [TVS] in Germany, and the N amount fertilized under good agricultural practices). The N2O release from the treatments was 2.3, 5.7, 8.8, and 10.6 kg N2O-N ha(-1) y(-1), respectively. The corresponding emission factors calculated on the basis of the total N input ranged between 1.3% and 1.6%. Winter emission accounted for 45% of the annual emissions, and a major part occurred after the incorporation of cauliflower residues. The annual N2O emission was positively correlated with the nitrate content of the top soil (0-25 cm) and with the N surpluses of the N balance. Reducing the amount of N fertilizer applied significantly reduced N2O fluxes. Since there was no significant effect on yields if fertilization was reduced from 528 kg N ha(-1) according to "good agricultural practice" to 401 kg N ha(-1) determined by the TVS, we recommend this optimized fertilization strategy.

Keyword(s): J ; N2O emission (auto) ; N fertilization (auto) ; crop residues (auto) ; freeze-thaw (auto) ; emission factor (auto) ; yield (auto)

Note: This study was financed by the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (AZ 25420). We further thank Heidi Zimmermann, Hinrich Bremer, Maria Ruckwied, and the laboratory staff of the Department of Plant Nutrition. We also thank University's workshop for technical assistance, as well as Hans Bucher, Rudolf Schulz, Christa Schollhammer, Tobias Hartmann, our student assistants and the crew of the experimental farm "Heidfeldhof" for their help.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Agrosphäre (IBG-3)

Research Program(s):

1. Terrestrische Umwelt (P24)

Appears in the scientific report 2011

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