Effect of mulching and biochar addition on the distribution and emission characteristics of N2O from furrow-ridge tillage soils

• Published in: Journal of environmental management 2023-11, Vol.345, p.118584-118584, Article 118584
• Main Authors: Zhang, Peng, Zhang, Zezhou, Liu, Xinyu, Fan, Tongtong, Wang, Dongmei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biochar; Functional genes; Furrow-ridge planting; N2O concentration; N2O flux
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118584

Mulching and biochar are increasingly used individually in agriculture, but little is known about their combined effects on N2O distribution and dispersion in ridge and furrow profiles. We conducted a 2-year field experiment in northern China to determine soil N2O concentrations using the in situ gas well technique and calculate N2O fluxes from ridge and furrow profiles by the concentration gradient method. The results showed that mulch and biochar increased soil temperature and moisture and altered the mineral nitrogen status, leading to a decrease in the relative abundance of nitrification genes in the furrow area and an increase in the relative abundance of denitrification genes, with denitrification remaining as the main source of N2O production. N2O concentrations in the soil profile increased significantly after fertiliser application, and N2O concentrations in the ridge area of the mulch treatment were much higher than those in the furrow area, where vertical and horizontal diffusion occurred. Biochar addition was effective in reducing N2O concentrations but had no effect on the N2O distribution and diffusion pattern. Soil temperature and moisture, but not soil mineral nitrogen, explained the variation in soil N2O fluxes during the non-fertiliser application period. Compared to furrow-ridge planting (RF), furrow-ridge mulch planting (RFFM), furrow-ridge planting with biochar (RBRF) and furrow-ridge mulch planting with biochar (RFRB) resulted in 9.2%, 11.8% and 20.8% increases in yield per unit area and 1.9%, 26.3% and 27.4% decreases in N2O fluxes per unit of yield, respectively. The interaction between mulching and biochar significantly affected the N2O fluxes per unit of yield. Biochar costs aside, RFRB is very promising for increasing alfalfa yields and reducing N2O fluxes per unit of yield. [Display omitted] •Soil N2O was higher in the furrow area than in the ridge area.•Soil temperature and moisture explained changes in N2O emissions.•Soil denitrification was the main source of N2O.•Mulching and biochar addition significantly reduced N2O flux per unit yield.