Nutrient Management Research Database
General Information
Research Title
Nitrogen Oxide and Methane Emissions under Varying Tillage and Fertilizer Management
Research Specifications
Crop: Corn
Soil Type: Waukegan silt loam
State: Minnesota
Year: 2005
Authors
Rodney T. Venterea, Martin Burger, Kurt A. Spokas
Summary/Abstract from Original Source
Research Highlights
Design and Methods
This study investigated the effects of a variety of tillage and fertilization practices on nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) emissions in a corn-soybean rotation.
Three tillage treatments were considered:
- Conventional tillage (CT): Fall moldboard plowing following corn, fall chisel plowing or disk ripping following soybean, with spring pre-plant cultivation before both corn and soybean.
- Conservation Tillage (CsT): Fall chisel plowing or disk ripping following corn, no fall plowing post soybean, spring cultivation prior to soybeans only.
- No Tillage (NT)
Fertilizer types tested were:
- Anhydrous ammonia (AA) knife injected 7 days prior to planting
- Urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) sprayed 6 days prior to planting
- Broadcast Urea (BU) applied when seedlings were 8 inches high
Emissions of N2O and CH4 were measured periodically along with soil temperature, water content, and nitrogen levels.
Results
Emissions of N2O after BU application were higher under NT and CsT than under CT.
Emissions of N2O following AA injection were higher under CT and CsT than under NT.
UAN driven N2O emissions did not differ between tillage treatments.
Emissions from AA injections were 2 to 4 times greater than UAN or BU applications.