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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #372036
Research Project: Develop Water Management Strategies to Sustain Water Productivity and Protect Water Quality in Irrigated Agriculture

Location: Water Management Research

Title: Carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions following whole orchard recycling

Author
item Camarena Onofre, Diana
item Perez-Sandoval, Julio
item Shenk, Robert
item Hendratna, Aileen
item CULUMBER, MAE - University Of California - Cooperative Extension Service
item Poret-Peterson, Amisha
item HOLTZ, BRENT - University Of California - Cooperative Extension Service
item Gao, Suduan

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/10/2020
Publication Date: 2/4/2020
Citation: Camarena Onofre, D., Perez-Sandoval, J.C., Shenk, R.J., Hendratna, A., Culumber, M., Poret-Peterson, A.T., Holtz, B., Gao, S. 2020. Carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions following whole orchard recycling [abstract]. California Plant and Soil Conference, February 4-5, 2020, Fresno, California. p. 48.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Whole orchard recycling (WOR) has shown several benefits such as increased soil organic carbon and nutrients, improved soil physical properties, and improved soil health by enhancing microbial activity. However, the impact on greenhouse gas emissions is not well understood. The aim of this research was to collect field data on carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from one time high rate of woodchip incorporation into the surface soil of an orchard. Emissions of CO2 and N2O were measured in woodchip incorporated and control (no woodchip) plots since April 2018 through 2019. Carbon dioxide emission fluxes were more than two times higher in woodchip plots than the control in first year and the differences in the second year were much reduced. Estimated C loss from CO2 emissions was about one third of incorporated during the first two years. Nitrous oxide emissions spiked following each fertilizer application with much higher peaks from woodchip plots than the control. The N2O emissions were consistently higher in woodchip plots than the control. The N2O emission rates were several times higher during the first year than those from the second year in woodchip plots suggesting strong correlation with woodchip decomposition. Data suggest that woodchip decomposition decreases significantly with time and this impacts N2O emissions. This research continues to investigate the relationship between woodchip incorporation and long-term effects on soil C and N dynamics in the efforts to develop effective management strategies.