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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Booneville, Arkansas » Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #413108
Research Project: Sustainable Small Farm and Organic Grass and Forage Production Systems for Livestock and Agroforestry

Location: Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center

Title: Soil nitrous oxide emission from agroforestry, rowcrop, grassland and forests in North America: a review

Author
item ANSARI, JAMSHID - University Of Missouri
item UDAWATTA, RANJITH - University Of Missouri
item ANDERSON, STEPHEN - University Of Missouri

Submitted to: Agroforestry Systems
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/19/2023
Publication Date: 6/28/2023
Citation: Ansari, J., Udawatta, R.P., Anderson, S.H. 2023. Soil nitrous oxide emission from agroforestry, rowcrop, grassland and forests in North America: a review. Agroforestry Systems. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-023-00870-y.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-023-00870-y

Interpretive Summary: Greenhouse gas effects that cause a warmer climate are attributed to the increasing concentration of nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2) in the earth’s atmosphere. Peer-reviewed articles on soil N2O flux from agroforestry, corn-soybean, grassland, and forests were retrieved using Web of Science for the review. Forest and agroforestry systems showed the lowest average yearly N2O flux and this review shows that adopting conservation practices like agroforestry can help reduce N2O emissions.

Technical Abstract: Although agricultural practices and landuse strategies are among the major sources of nitrous oxide (N2O) emission into the atmosphere, managed agricultural soils can mitigate atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHG) because soils can serve as a sink as well as a source for N2O. Peer-reviewed articles on soil N2O flux from agroforestry, corn-soybean, grassland, and forests were retrieved using Web of Science for the review. Forest and agroforestry systems showed the lowest average N2O flux: 0.3 and 0.7 kg N2O– N ha- 1 yr- 1 respectively, while the greatest N2O emission was attributed to corn [Zea mays L.]/soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation system (2.16 kg N2O– N ha- 1 yr- 1). Among all landuse, silvopasture (agroforestry) showed the lowest average yearly N2O flux (0.06 kg N2O– N ha- 1 yr- 1) followed by deciduous forest (0.2 kg N2O– N ha- 1 yr- 1). Soil inorganic N uptake by extensive grass and tree roots in agroforestry systems (silvopasture, shelterbelt, and alleycropping) reduced N2O emission. Tillage practices, fertilizer application, and soil saturation conditions in compacted soils are important factors that increased the emission of N2O. No-till practice in crop rotation systems showed lower N2O emissionsn compared to conventional tillage. Soil tillage and soil compaction due to livestock grazing, stimulate N mineralization, denitrification process, and N2O emission. This review revealed that adopting conservation practices like agroforestry can help reduce N2O emissions.