Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Combining organic and inorganic nitrogen fertilisation reduces N2O emissions from cereal crops: a comparative analysis of China and Zimbabwe

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Agriculture is one of the major sources of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas (GHG) whose atmospheric concentrations are estimated to increase with efforts to increase food production through increasing nitrogen (N) inputs. The objective of this study was to quantify N2O emissions from maize (Zea mays L.) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) fields amended with inorganic, organic N and a combination of both sources (integrated management), in tropical (Zimbabwe) and temperate (China) climatic conditions. In Zimbabwe N2O emissions were measured from maize plots, while in China emissions were measured from maize and winter wheat plots. In Zimbabwe the treatments were; (i) Control, (ii) 60 kg N ha−1 ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3), (iii) 120 kg N ha−1 NH4NO3, (iv) 60 kg ha−1 cattle (Bos primigenius) manure-N, plus 60 kg N ha−1 NH4NO3, (v) 60 kg N ha−1 cattle manure-N, and (vi) 120 kg N ha−1 cattle manure-N. In China, treatments were; (i) Control, (ii) 300 kg N ha−1 Urea, (iii) 92 kg N ha−1 Urea plus 65 kg ha−1 chicken (Gallus domesticus) manure-N, (iv) 100 kg N ha−1 Urea and (v) 100 kg N ha−1 control release Urea. Our results showed that under both temperate and tropical conditions, integrated nutrient management resulted in lower N2O emissions compared to inorganic fertilizers which had higher total and yield-scale N2O emissions. We conclude that by combining organic and inorganic N sources, smallholder farmers in both China and Zimbabwe, and other countries with similar climatic conditions, can mitigate agricultural emissions without compromising productivity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anderson JM, Ingram JSI (1993) Tropical soil biology and fertility: A handbook of methods. CAB International, Wallingford, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Blake GR, Hartge KH (1986) Bulk Density. Methods of Soil Analysis, Part 1. Soil Science Society of America, Madison, WI, pp363−376

  • Bouwman AF, Bouwman LJM, Batjes NH (2002) Modeling global annual N2O and NO emissions from fertilized fields. Global Biogeochem Cy 16. DOI 10.1029/2001GB001812

  • Bouyoucos GJ (1962) Hydrometer method improved for making particle size analyses of soils. Agron J 54:464–465. doi:10.2134/agronj1962.00021962005400050028x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corbeels M, de Graaff J, Ndah TH et al (2013) Understanding the impact and adoption of conservation agriculture in. A multi-scale analysis. Agr Ecosyst Environ, Africa. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2013.10.011

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapuis-Lardy L, Wrage N, Metay A et al (2007) Soils, a sink for N2O? a review. Global Change Bio 13:1–17

  • Chinsinga B (2009) Land Reforms in Malawi: Where are we? The Nation, Malawi.http://www.ippg.org.uk/papers/Land%20Reforms%20in%20Malawi%20-%20Nation%200709.pdf. Cited 29 Feb 2014

  • Chirinda N, Carter MS, Albert KR et al (2010) Emissions of nitrous oxide from arable organic and conventional cropping systems on two soil types. Agr Ecosyst Environ 136:199–208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dick J, Kaya B, Soutoura M et al (2008) The contribution of agricultural practices to nitrous oxide emissions in semi-arid Mali. Soil Use Manage 24:292–301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ding WX, Yan HY, Cai ZC (2011) Impact of urease and nitrification inhibitors on nitrous oxide emissions from fluvo-aquic soil in the North China plain. Biol Fertil Soils 47:91–99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Efthimiadou A, Bilalis D, Karkanis A, Froud-Williams B (2010) Combined organic/inorganic fertilization enhance soil quality and increased yield, photosynthesis and sustainability of sweet maize crop. AJCS 4:722–729

    Google Scholar 

  • FAO (2006) Food and agriculture organization of the United Nations. Fertilizer use by crop in Zimbabwe, 1st edn. FAO, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • Glatzel S, Stahr K (2001) Methane and nitrous oxide exchange in differently fertilized grassland in southern Germany. Plant Soil 231:21–35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hodge A, Robinson D, Fitter A (2000) Are microorganisms more effective than plants at competing for nitrogen? Trends Plant in Science 5:304–308

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IPCC (2006) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines for national greenhouse gas inventories. WMO/UNEP. http://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2006gl/vol4.html. Cited 16 July 2011

  • IPCC (2007) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Contribution of Working Group III to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. In: Metz B, Davidson OR, Bosch PR, Dave R, Meyer LA (eds) Climate Change 2007, Fourth Assessment Report. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Ju XT, Xing GX, Chen XP et al (2009) Reducing environmental risk by improving N management in intensive Chinese agricultural systems. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 106:3041–3046

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kachanoski RG, O’Halloran I, Rochette P (2003) Site-specific application of fertilizer N for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change funding initiative in Agriculture, Canadian Agri-Food Research Council, Ottawa

  • Khalil MAK, Rasmussen RA (1998) Flux measurements and sampling strategies: applications to methane emissions from rice fields. J Geophys Res 103:25211–25218

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuikman PJ, Velthof GL, Oenema O (2003) Controlling nitrous oxide emissions from agriculture: Experiences in the Netherlands. In: Proceedings of the 3rd International methane and nitrous oxide mitigation conference, Beijing, 17–21 November 2003

  • Li C, Zhuang Y, Cao M et al (2001) Comparing a process-based agro-ecosystem model to the IPCC methodology for developing a national inventory of N2O emissions from arable lands in China. Nutr Cycl Agroecosys 60:159–175

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu CY, Holst J, Yao ZS et al (2009) Sheepfolds as “hotspots” of nitric oxide (NO) emission in an inner mongolian steppe. Agr Ecosyst Environ 134:136–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu CY, Wang K, Meng SX et al (2011) Effects of irrigation, fertilization and crop straw management on nitrous oxide and nitric oxide emissions from a wheat-maize rotation field in northern China. Agr Ecosyst Environ 140:226–233

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malhi SS, Lemke RL, Wang Z et al (2006) Tillage, nitrogen and crop residue effects on crop yield and nutrient uptake, soil quality and greenhouse gas emissions. Soil Till Res 90:171–183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mapanda F, Mupini J, Wuta M et al (2010) A cross-ecosystem assessment of the effects of land cover and land use on soil emission of selected greenhouse gases and related soil properties in Zimbabwe. Europ J Soil Sci 61:721–733

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mapanda F, Wuta M, Nyamangara J, Rees RM (2011) Effects of organic and mineral fertilizers on greenhouse gas emissions and plant-captured carbon under maize cropping in Zimbabwe. Plant Soil 343:67–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McSwiney CP, Robertson GP (2005) Non-linear response of N2O flux to incremental fertilizer addition in a continuous maize (Zea mays L.) cropping system. Global Change Bio 11:1712–1719

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mosier AR, Kroeze C, Nevison C et al (1998) Closing the global N2O budget: nitrous oxide emissions through the agricultural nitrogen cycle. OECD/IPCC/IEA phase II development of IPCC guidelines for national greenhouse gas inventory methodology. Nutr Cycl Agroecosys 52:225–248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nelson DW, Sommers LE (1992) Total carbon, organic carbon and organic matter. In: Page AL, Miller RH, Keeney DR (eds) Methods of Soil Analysis, vol II, 2nd edn, Agronomy Monographs. ASA and SSSA, Madison, Wisconsin, pp 539–579

    Google Scholar 

  • Novoa RSA, Tejeda HR (2006) Evaluation of the N2O emissions from N in plant residues as affected by environmental and management factors. Nutr Cycl Agroecosys 75:29–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nyamadzawo G, Chirinda N, Mapanda F et al (2012) Potential impacts of land-use change on nitrous oxide emissions in seasonally dry ecosystems of Zimbabwe? Afr Crop Sci J 20(s2):551–562

    Google Scholar 

  • Nyamangara J, Nyagumbo I (2010) Interactive effect of selected nutrient resources and tied ridging on plant growth performance in a semi-arid smallholder farming environment in central Zimbabwe. Nutr Cycl Agroecosys 88:102–109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pan G, Zhou P, Li Z et al (2009) Combined inorganic/organic fertilization enhances N efficiency and increases rice productivity through organic carbon accumulation in a rice paddy from the Tai Lake region, China. Agr Ecosyst Environ 131:274–280

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peng Q, Qi Y, Dong Y et al (2011) Soil nitrous oxide emissions from a typical semiarid temperate steppe in inner Mongolia: effects of mineral nitrogen fertilizer levels and forms. Plant Soil 342:345–357

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rees RM, Wuta M, Furley PA et al (2006) Nitrous oxide fluxes from savanna (miombo) woodlands in Zimbabwe. J of Biogeogr 33:424–437

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruser R, Flessa H, Russow R et al (2006) Emission of N2O, N2 and CO2 from soil fertilized with nitrate: effect of compaction, soil moisture and rewetting. Soil Bio Biochem 38:263–274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scheer CG, Peter R, Rowlings DW et al (2012) Nitrous oxide emissions from irrigated wheat in Australia: impact of irrigation management nitrous oxide emissions from irrigated wheat in Australia: impact of irrigation management. Plant Soil 359(1–2):351–362

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scholes MC, Scholes RJ, Parsons D et al (1997) NO and N2O emissions from savanna soils following the first rains. Nutr Cycl Agroecosys 48:115–122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shi YF, Wu WL, Meng FQ et al (2013) Integrated management practices significantly affect N2O emissions and wheat–maize production at field scale in the North China plain. Nutr Cycl Agroecosys 95:203–218

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith P, MartinoD CZ et al (2007) Agriculture. In: Metz B, Davidson OR, Bosch PR, Dave R, Meyer LA (eds) Climate Change 2007: Mitigation. Contribution of Working Group III to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdomand New York

  • Snyder CS, Bruulesema TW, Jensen TL et al (2009) Review of greenhouse gas emissions from crop production systems and fertilizer management effects. Agr Ecosyst Environ 133:247–266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thierfelder C, Mombeyarara T, Mango N, Rusinamhodzi L (2013) Integration of conservation agriculture in smallholder farming systems of southern Africa: identification of key entry points. Int J Agr Sustain 11:317–330

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vanlauwe B, Wendt J, Giller KE et al (2014) A fourth principle is required to define conservation agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa: The appropriate use of fertilizer to enhance crop productivity. Fert Crop Res 155:10–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wuta M (2003) Nutrient dynamics in Miombo woodland in Zimbabwe Dissertation. University of Edinburgh World Bank (2009) Land reform and wealth creation in Malawi. http://go.worldbank.org/4QVKNOB7W0. Cited 29 Feb 2014

  • Yao ZS, Zheng XH, Xie BH et al (2009) Tillage and crop residue management significantly affects N-trace gas emissions during the non-rice season of a subtropical rice-wheat rotation. Soil Bio Biochem 41:2132–2140

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the Climate Food and Farming (CLIFF) network under the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) for funding this article.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Science, Bindura University of Science Education, Box 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe

    George Nyamadzawo

  2. College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, 2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Beijing, 100193, China

    Yeufeng Shi, Wenliang Wu & Fanqiao Meng

  3. Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Blichers Allé 20, DK-8830, Tjele, Denmark

    Ngonidzashe Chirinda & Jørgen E. Olesen

  4. Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, University of Zimbabwe, Box MP167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe

    George Nyamadzawo, Farai Mapanda & Menas Wuta

  5. Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871, Frederiksberg, Denmark

    Myles Oelofse & Andreas de Neergaard

  6. USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Washington State University, PO Box 647204, Pullman, WA, 99163, USA

    Jeff Smith

Authors
  1. George Nyamadzawo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yeufeng Shi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ngonidzashe Chirinda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jørgen E. Olesen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Farai Mapanda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Menas Wuta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Wenliang Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Fanqiao Meng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Myles Oelofse
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Andreas de Neergaard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Jeff Smith
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to George Nyamadzawo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Nyamadzawo, G., Shi, Y., Chirinda, N. et al. Combining organic and inorganic nitrogen fertilisation reduces N2O emissions from cereal crops: a comparative analysis of China and Zimbabwe. Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Change 22, 233–245 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-014-9560-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-014-9560-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation