Greenhouse gas emissions from corn fields as influenced by cover crop management

Authors: JUEJA, PULKIT - Texas A&M University; BAATH, GURJINDER - Texas Agrilife Research; BRAR, JAVIEER - Texas A&M University; Flynn, Kyle; Krecker-Yost, Jenifer; RAJAN, NITHYA - Texas A&M University

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/29/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: n/a - abstract only.

Technical Abstract: Fallow period is known to have several sustainability issues related to soil health. Cultivation of cover crops is known to protect soil from erosion and improve soil health. However, cover crops could result in increased greenhouse gas emissions from soil due to biomass decomposition and nitrogen fixation by legume cover crops. This study aimed to evaluate net greenhouse gas emissions by comparing two types of cover crops a legume (sunn-hemp) and a grass (sorghum-sudangrass) under three different residue management strategies. Cover crops were planted following corn (Zea mays) harvest at the Texas A&M Agrilife Blackland Research and Extension Center in Central Texas. Sampling commenced right after the cover crops were incorporated into the soil. Static chamber technology was employed for gas sampling, with four samples taken from each plot at 15-minute intervals to measure fluxes over time. The results show that nitrous oxide emissions were high under incorporated sunn-hemp while methane was mostly recorded with negative fluxes indicating methane sink within soil. Incorporated residue had comparatively higher fluxes compared to other management systems.