Effect of aerated drip irrigation and nitrogen doses on N2O emissions, microbial activity, and yield of tomato and muskmelon under greenhouse conditions

• Published in: Agricultural water management 2023-06, Vol.283, p.108321, Article 108321
• Main Authors: Zhang, Qian, Niu, Wenquan, Du, Yadan, Sun, Jun, Cui, Bingjing, Zhang, Erxin, Wang, Yanbang, Siddique, Kadambot H.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ammonium; Emission factor; Nitrate; Yield; Yield-scaled emission
• ISSN: 0378-3774; 1873-2283
• DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2023.108321

Soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions are strongly affected by field practices, including irrigation and fertilization. This study investigated whether aerated drip irrigation (ADI) can enhance the soil environment, mitigate N2O emissions, and improve crop yields relative to conventional drip irrigation (DI). Tomato and muskmelon crops were grown in a solar greenhouse under different irrigation methods (DI and ADI) and nitrogen fertilizer rates (tomato: 0, 150, 200, and 250 kg N ha–1; muskmelon: 0, 150, and 225 kg N ha–1). The results showed that ADI increased soil temperature by 1.3–7.0 %, oxygen concentration by 1.9–3.2 %, and soil NH4+ and NO3– concentrations in the upper soil layers (0–60 cm) by 3.7–27.1 % and 3.6–51.5 % and decreased soil NH4+ and NO3– concentrations from 60 to 100 cm depth by 5.0–17.6 % and 1.9–18.9 %, relative to DI. However, ADI decreased soil moisture by 2.3–3.6 %. ADI also significantly increased soil microbial activity by 0.5–28.6 %. In addition, ADI and 150 kg N ha–1 significantly reduced yield-scaled N2O emissions (YSNES) and emission factors (EF), increasing tomato and muskmelon yields. The results of this study suggest that ADI combined with appropriate N application rates can improve soil productivity and mitigate N2O emissions. •Aerated drip irrigation (ADI) improved soil temperature, oxygen concentration, NH4+ and NO3– contents of 0–60 cm, and microbial activity.•ADI combined with N reduction decreased soil cumulative N2O emissions by approximately 14.5–38.9 %.•Under ADI, 150 kg N ha−1 notably reduced yield-scaled N2O emissions and emission factors while ensured higher yields of tomato and muskmelon.