Straw management, crop rotation and nitrogen source effect on carbon and nitrogen dynamics: A laboratory study

• Published in: Plant and soil 2009-12, Vol.325 (1-2), p.243-253
• Main Authors: Montoya-González, A, González-Navarro, O. E, Govaerts, B, Sayre, K. D, Estrada, I, Luna-Guido, M, Ceja-Navarro, J. A, Patiño-Zúñiga, L, Marsch, R, Dendooven, L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural practices; Agricultural soils; Agriculture; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Alternative farming; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Carbon; Carbon dioxide; Chickens; Corn; Crop management; Crop production; Crop residues; Crop rotation; Cropping systems. Cultivation. Soil tillage; Ecology; Emissions; Fallowing; Fertilizer application; Fertilizers; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Generalities. Cropping systems and patterns; Intensive farming; Life Sciences; Manure; Manures; Microbial activity; Mineralization; Nitrogen; Nitrous oxide; Organic fertilizers; Other nutrients. Amendments. Solid and liquid wastes. Sludges and slurries; Plant Physiology; Plant Sciences; Poultry manure; Regular Article; Soil microorganisms; Soil organic matter; Soil quality; Soil Science & Conservation; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments; Soils; Straw; Urea; Wheat; Wheat soils
• ISSN: 0032-079X; 1573-5036
• DOI: 10.1007/s11104-009-9975-3

Straw incorporation, crop rotation and organic fertilizer applications have been proposed to counter the negative effects of straw burning, inorganic N fertilizer application and intensive agriculture practices for wheat production in the state of Sonora (México). A laboratory study was done to investigate how these alternative agriculture practices applied for 9 years affected carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrous oxide (N₂O) and nitrogen (N₂) emissions and inorganic N in soil. Emission of CO₂ decreased 1.2 times in soil burned compared to soil where residue was incorporated, but emissions of N₂ increased 4.1 times and the increase in inorganic N or the N mineralization rate 1.4 times. Including Sesbania spp. in the crop rotation reduced N mineralization rate 1.2 times when residue was burned, but increased it 1.5 times when it was incorporated compared to clean fallow or the cultivation of maize. Fertilizing soil with urea increased the N mineralization rate 4.9 times and the N₂O emission 2 times while chicken manure increased it 11.4 times and 3.7 times, respectively, compared to the unamended soil when residue was burned. It was found that burning of crop residue increased N mineralization and N₂ emissions, but decreased microbial activity. Addition of chicken manure increased emissions of N₂O and CO₂ and concentrations of NO ₃ ⁻ .