Author
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Hatfield, Jerry |
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Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2015 Publication Date: 5/1/2015 Citation: Hatfield, J.L. 2015. Nitrogen management to reduce nitrous oxide emissions. In: Kumar, J., Pistoy, A., Kumar, S., editors. Phenomics in Crop Plants: Trends, Options, and Limitations. London:Springer. p. 207-222. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from agricultural soils represent a complex interaction between the inputs of nitrogen into the soil and the soil environment. Mitigating these emissions will have a positive impact on greenhouse gases. Agriculture is the primary source of N2O emissions and must develop solutions to reduce these losses to the atmosphere. Inputs of nitrogen vary by form, rate, timing, and placement and N2O emissions are directly related to N inputs; however, the actual rate is governed by soil water content, soil temperature, soil carbon content, biological activity, and soil N content. The relationship with soil water shows an exponential increase when the water filled pore space increases above 60-70% because of denitrification process but there are situations in which N2O can be released through nitrification with drier soils. Management practices which improve soil water balance by decreasing water content at times in which there is high soil N content, especially NO3—N, will reduce emissions along with improving oxygen exchange between the soil and the atmosphere. Practices using cover or catch crops to reduce both the soil N and the content show a positive impact and altering forms of N by applying stabilizers or coatings can reduce emissions when coupled with water management. A wide range of practices, manure, catch crops, show a positive yield-scaled benefit because these practices improve crop production. There are many opportunities surrounding N management with a potentially positive impact on reducing N2O emissions but these solutions may be regionally specific. |
