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Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Annual and Perennial Biofuel Cropping Systems
Author(s) -
McGowan Andrew R.,
Roozeboom Kraig L.,
Rice Charles W.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj2018.03.0187
Subject(s) - miscanthus , panicum virgatum , cellulosic ethanol , biofuel , greenhouse gas , agronomy , environmental science , bioenergy , diesel fuel , growing season , perennial plant , chemistry , biology , cellulose , ecology , organic chemistry
Core Ideas A majority (40–80%) of N 2 O was emitted in the first 10 wk of the growing season. No consistent significant differences were found in N 2 O emissions among crops. Most N 2 O was emitted during large events of short duration after substantial rainfall.Burning of fossil fuels in the transportation sector accounts for 28% of US greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Substitution of cellulosic biofuel in place of conventional gasoline or diesel could reduce GHG emissions from transportation; however, the effectiveness of cellulosic biofuel in reducing emissions depends on emissions during the growth of biofuel crops. The objectives of this study were (i) to measure N 2 O emissions of potential cellulosic biofuel cropping systems, and (ii) to characterize the temporal variations in N 2 O emissions in these cropping systems. Annual N 2 O emissions were measured in corn ( Zea mays L.)–soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and photoperiod‐sensitive sorghum [ Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench ]–soybean rotations as well as in switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum L.) and miscanthus ( Miscanthus sacchariflorus ) from 2011–2013 in Manhattan, KS, using static chambers. No consistent significant differences were found in N 2 O emissions among crop species, though miscanthus tended to have the least emissions. Most N 2 O was emitted during large events of short duration (1–3 d) that occurred after substantial rainfall events with high soil NO 3 − . In 2011 and 2012, most N 2 O was emitted during the growing season. In 2013, 30–50% of the N 2 O emissions were emitted after September which was attributed to freeze–thaw cycles.