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Nitrous Oxide Sources and Mitigation Strategies

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Soil Emission of Nitrous Oxide and its Mitigation

Abstract

Industrial and biological fixation of N2 has outpaced denitrification; as a result, N has become a major pollutant. Nitrogen fertilization is a substantial source of nitrogen-containing trace gases that have both regional and global consequences. Achieving synchrony between N supply and crop demand without excess or deficiency is the key to optimizing trade-offs amongst yield, profit, and environmental protection in both large-scale systems in developed countries and small-scale systems in developing countries. Improving the efficiency of N use by crops plants is crucial for meeting this challenge. Practices for better synchronization of N supply with plant needs include use of soil tests, better timing, and placement of fertilizers, cover crops during fallow periods, use of slow release and controlled release fertilizers and nitrification inhibitors. Use of available technology and best management practices could reduce N2O emission by 30–40%. Mitigation of N2O through improved N management has additional economic benefits of decreasing fertilizer needs and minimizing production costs.

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Abbreviations

Nr:

Reactive nitrogen

SOC:

Soil organic carbon

SOM:

Soil organic matter

GHG:

Greenhouse gas

CFC:

Chloroflorocarbon

INM:

Integrated nutrients management

TRF:

Tropical rain forest

NUE:

Nitrogen use efficiency

RMP:

Recommended management practice

BMP:

Best management practices

CT:

Conventional tillage

NT:

No tillage

WFPS:

Water-filled pore spaces

GM:

Genetic modification

GE:

Genetic engineered crops

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  1. Illinois State Geological Survey Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois, USA

    David Ussiri

  2. Carbon Management and Sequestration Center School of Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA

    Rattan Lal

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Ussiri, D., Lal, R. (2013). Nitrous Oxide Sources and Mitigation Strategies. In: Soil Emission of Nitrous Oxide and its Mitigation. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5364-8_8

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