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Title: Nitrogen source effects on nitrous oxide emissions from irrigated strip-till and no-till corn production ystems

Author
item Halvorson, Ardell
item Del Grosso, Stephen - Steve

Submitted to: Fluid Fertilizer Foundation Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/26/2012
Publication Date: 2/21/2012
Citation: Halvorson, A.D., Del Grosso, S.J. 2012. Nitrogen source effects on nitrous oxide emissions from irrigated strip-till and no-till corn production ystems. Fluid Fertilizer Foundation Symposium Proceedings. www.fluidfertilizer.com/fertilizer_forum_proceedings2012html

Interpretive Summary: Nitrogen (N) source and placement effects on soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from strip-till (ST) and no-till (NT), irrigated continuous corn fields were evaluated in 2011 on a clay loam soil to determine if N source selection or placement could be a mitigation option for reducing soil N2O emissions. Emissions were monitored from plots receiving urea, ESN®1, SuperU®, and liquid UAN (ST only) at a rate of 202 kg N/ha. Cumulative increases in daily N2O fluxes were more rapid for urea and UAN than for ESN or SuperU following N fertilizer application. SuperU, ESN, and UAN had significantly lower growing season N2O emissions than granular urea in ST and NT, irrigated corn production systems in 2011. Corn grain yields did not differ among N sources under NT, but SuperU produced higher yields than ESN and UAN under ST, and yields equal to urea. Growing season N2O emissions were lower with surface broadcast placement than with surface band N applications for all N sources under both tillage conditions. The study shows that N source selection and placement are important management decisions for reducing N2O emissions from Central Great Plains’ cropping systems.

Technical Abstract: Nitrogen (N) source and placement effects on soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from strip-till (ST) and no-till (NT), irrigated continuous corn fields were evaluated in 2011 near Fort Collins, CO on a clay loam soil. Emissions were monitored from plots receiving urea, ESN®1, SuperU®, and liquid UAN (ST only) at a rate of 202 kg N/ha. The N sources were surface band applied near the corn row or broadcast applied, then watered (19 mm irrigation water) into the soil the day after application. Nitrous oxide fluxes were measured during the growing season using static, vented chambers for gas sample collection, about three times per week, and analyzed with a gas chromatograph. Cumulative increases in daily N2O fluxes were more rapid for urea and UAN than for ESN or SuperU following N fertilizer application. SuperU, ESN, and UAN had significantly lower growing season N2O emissions than granular urea in ST and NT, irrigated corn production systems in 2011. Corn grain yields did not differ among N sources under NT, but SuperU produced higher yields than ESN and UAN under ST, and yields equal to urea. Growing season N2O emissions were lower with surface broadcast placement than with surface band N applications for all N sources under both tillage conditions. The study shows that N source selection and placement are important management decisions for reducing N2O emissions from Central Great Plains’ cropping systems.