a b s t r a c tAgriculture production contributes to global warming directly via the release of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), methane and nitrous oxide emissions, and indirectly through the consumption of inputs such as fertilizer, fuel and herbicides. We investigated if including a grain legume (Lupinus angustifolius) in a cropping rotation, and/or applying agricultural lime to increase the pH of an acidic soil, decreased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from wheat production in a semi-arid environment by conducting a streamlined life cycle assessment analysis that utilized in situ GHG emission measurements, rather than international default values. We also assessed the economic viability of each GHG mitigation strategy. Incorporating a grain legume in a two year cropping rotation decreased GHG emissions from wheat production by 56% on a per hectare basis, and 35% on a per tonne of wheat basis, primarily by lowering nitrogen fertilizer inputs. However, a large incentive ($93 per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalents reduced) was required for the inclusion of grain legumes to be financially attractive. Applying lime was profitable but increased GHG emissions by varying amounts depending upon whether the lime was assumed to dissolve over one, five or 10 years. We recommend further investigating the impact of liming on both CO 2 and non-CO 2 emissions to accurately account for its effect on GHG emissions from agricultural production.
The causes and implications of climate change are currently at the forefront of many researching agendas. Countries that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol are bound by agreements to focus on and reduce greenhouse gas emissions which impact on the natural and anthropogenic environment. Internationally agriculture contributes to environmental impacts such as land use change, loss of biodiversity, greenhouse gas emissions, increased soil salinity, soil acidity and soil erosion. To combat and control the greenhouse gas emissions generated during agricultural production, methodologies are being developed and investigated worldwide. Agriculture is the second largest emitter of greenhouse gases in Australia and consequently the integrated spatial technology was developed using data from a crop rotation project conducted by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia. The aim of the integrated spatial technology was to combine remote sensing, geographical information systems and life cycle assessment, to ascertain the component or system within the agricultural production cycle, generating the most greenhouse gases. Cleaner production strategies were then used to develop mitigation measures for the reduction of greenhouse gases within the integrated spatial technology.
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