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Corn Nitrogen Management Influences Nitrous Oxide Emissions in Drained and Undrained Soils
Author(s) -
Fernández Fabián G.,
Venterea Rodney T.,
Fabrizzi Karina P.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq2016.06.0237
Subject(s) - nitrous oxide , drainage , agronomy , soil water , nitrogen , environmental science , growing season , tile drainage , fertilizer , moisture , nitrification , zoology , chemistry , soil science , ecology , biology , organic chemistry
To date, no studies have evaluated nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emissions of a single versus a split‐nitrogen (N) fertilizer application under different soil drainage conditions for corn ( Zea mays L.). The objective of this study was to quantify season‐long cumulative N 2 O emissions, N use efficiency, and soil N dynamics when corn received a recommended N rate as single or split‐N application in Minnesota soils with and without tile drainage over two growing seasons. Preplant urea was broadcast incorporated, and in‐season split‐N was broadcast as urea plus urease inhibitor. Tile drainage reduced N 2 O emissions during periods of excess moisture but did not affect grain yield or other agronomic parameters. Conversely, when precipitation was adequate and well distributed, tile drainage did not affect N 2 O emissions, but it did enhance grain yield. Averaged across years, the undrained soil emitted 1.8 times more N 2 O than the drained soil (2.36 vs. 1.29 kg N ha −1 ). Compared with the Zero‐N control, the Single Preplant and Split N applications emitted 2.1 and 1.6 times more N 2 O, produced 1.4 and 1.3 times greater grain yield, and resulted in 1.5 and 1.4 times more residual soil total inorganic N, respectively. Per unit of grain yield, the Split application emitted similar amounts of N 2 O as the Zero‐N control. Averaged across years and drainage, the Split application emitted 26% less N 2 O than the Single Preplant application (1.84 vs. 2.48 kg N ha −1 ; P < 0.001) with no grain yield differences. These results highlight that soil drainage can reduce N 2 O emissions and that a split N application may be a feasible way to achieve N 2 O reduction while enhancing grain yield. Core Ideas Undrained soils increased N 2 O emissions relative to drained soils. N fertilization increased N 2 O emissions regardless of drainage. N 2 O emissions per unit of grain‐yield were similar for the Split and 0‐N control. Split‐N vs. single application reduced N 2 O emissions with no impact on grain yield.