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Biogeochemistry of Global Change pp 278–289Cite as

Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Nitrification Inhibitors on Methane and Nitrous Oxide Fluxes in Irrigated Corn

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Abstract

Agricultural systems contribute a large proportion of the global emissions of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) to the atmosphere. Nitrogen (N) fertilizer influences the flux rates of these gases in agroecosystems. Methane and nitrous oxide fluxes were measured periodically in an irrigated corn (Zea mays L.) field from time of fertilization to harvest. Fertilizer treatments included 0 and 218 kg urea-N ha-1, as well as applications of the nitrification inhibitors (NIs), nitrapyrin [2-chloro-6-(trichloromethyl)-pyridine], and encapsulated calcium carbide (ECC). Brief periods of CH4 emissions were observed after irrigations, with no effect of N or NIs. Methane consumption was not affected by urea fertilization, but was reduced 43% by the addition of ECC. The contribution, however, of changes in the consumption of CH4 as a result of ECC addition to the net greenhouse effect was negligible (<0.1%) compared to the reduction in N2O emissions. Nitrous oxide emissions were 16 times greater in urea-fertilized plots than in unfertilized soils. The application of NIs with urea decreased N2O emissions 43–71%.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. USDA-ARS: Agricultural Research Service, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80522, USA

    K. F. Bronson & A. R. Mosier

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  1. K. F. Bronson
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  1. ISEB, Menlo Park, California, USA

    Ronald S. Oremland (Chairman) (Chairman)

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Bronson, K.F., Mosier, A.R. (1993). Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Nitrification Inhibitors on Methane and Nitrous Oxide Fluxes in Irrigated Corn. In: Oremland, R.S. (eds) Biogeochemistry of Global Change. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-2812-8_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-2812-8_15

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-6215-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-2812-8

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