Monday, November 13, 2006
89-6

N2O Emissions in a Corn/Soybean Rotation as Influenced by Tillage and Fertilization.

Francis Larouche1, Philippe Rochette1, Denis Angers1, Martin Chantigny1, Suzanne Allaire2, and Normand Bertrand1. (1) Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 2560, Boul. Hochelaga, Québec City, QC G1V 2J3, Canada, (2) Université Laval, Département des sols, Québec City, QC G1K 7P4, Canada

Fertilized agricultural soils and soils cropped with legumes can be a significant source of atmospheric N2O. By modifying soil physical, chemical and biological properties, tillage may considerably influence N2O emissions from soils. In this study, we measured N2O fluxes from corn and soybean long-term plots (13 yrs) that were managed with either no-till (NT) or moldboard plowing (MP) and with various rates of mineral N fertilizer. Fluxes were measured in corn (Zea mays) receiving 0, 80 and 160 kg N ha-1 as NH4NO3 in 2004, and on unfertilized soybean (Glycine max) in 2005.  In 2004, the cumulative N2O-N lost from soil increased linearly with the amount of mineral nitrogen (N) fertilizer applied (1.0, 2.0 et 2.5 kg N ha-1 in the plots receiving 0, 80 and 160 kg N ha-1, respectively).  The fertilizer-induced N2O emissions during the corn year agreed with the 2006 IPCC default value (0.01 kg N2O-N/kg N).  The cumulative N2O-N lost from soil did not vary with tillage. In 2005 under soybean, cumulative N2O-N emissions were higher under NT (2.52 kg N ha-1) than under MP (1.52 kg N ha-1), and were not different among rates of N fertilizer applied in 2004. At different sampling periods, N2O concentration in soil and fluxes were correlated to soil NO3-N, water filled pore space and rainfall. Rainfall was 50% greater in 2005 than in 2004.  It is hypothesized that the increased N2O emissions under no-till in 2005 were the result of higher denitrification rates in the denser no-till soil under wetter soil conditions.