Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Soil Indicators Four Years after Manure and Compost Applications

Abstract

Understanding how carbon, nitrogen, and key soil attributes affect gas emissions from soil is crucial for alleviating their undesirable residual effects that can linger for years after termination of manure and compost applications. This study was conducted to evaluate the emission of soil CO2, N2O, and CH4 and soil C and N indicators four years after manure and compost application had stopped. Experimental plots were treated with annual synthetic N fertilizer (FRT), annual and biennial manure (MN1 and MN2, respectively), and compost (CP1 and CP2, respectively) from 1992 to 1995 based on removal of 151 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1) by continuous corn (Zea mays L.). The control (CTL) plots received no input. After 1995, only the FRT plots received N fertilizer in the spring of 1999. In 1999, the emissions of CO2 were similar between control and other treatments. The average annual carbon input in the CTL and FRT plots were similar to soil CO2-C emission (4.4 and 5.1 Mg C ha(-1) yr(-1), respectively). Manure and compost resulted in positive C and N balances in the soil four years after application. Fluxes of CH4-C and N2O-N were nearly zero, which indicated that the residual effects of manure and compost four years after application had no negative influence on soil C and N storage and global warming. Residual effects of compost and manure resulted in 20 to 40% higher soil microbial biomass C, 42 to 74% higher potentially mineralizable N, and 0.5 unit higher pH compared with the FRT treatment. Residual effects of manure and compost on CO2, N20, and CH4 emissions were minimal and their benefits on soil C and N indicators were more favorable than that of N fertilizer.

A novel and effective technology for mitigating nitrous oxide emissions from land-applied manures

“…Nitrous oxide emissions steadily decreased over the 2-month gas emission measurement period, which accords well with emission trends for land-applied manures reported in the literature (Lessard et al 1996;Chadwick et al 2000;Sherlock et al 2002;Ginting et al 2003;Amon et al 2006;Rochette et al 2008).…”

Characterization of Composted Organic Amendments for Agricultural Use

“…Highest values of microbial activity (PMN) and biomass (MBC, 16S rRNA gene abundance) were found in composted intensive cow manure, suggesting that, when applied to agricultural soil, this amendment could stimulate soil microbial processes, such as, for instance, nutrient cycling. Ginting et al (2003) reported that, 4 years after the last application, compost and manure application resulted in 20-40% higher soil MBC and 42-74% higher PMN, compared with the synthetic N fertilizer treatment.…”

Impact of Chemical Free Bio-Accelerated Climate Resilient Cropping on Lentil (Lens culinaris Medic.) Growth and Yield against Conventional Farming System under Rainfed Condition

“…This might be due to the continuous application of inorganic fertilizers on conventional farming system increased the nitrogen availability in soil. Table.2 't'-test analysis on effect of cultivation practices of lentil on the incidence of aphid Table.7 't'-test for nutrient status in the soil and nutrient uptake by lentil However, Ginting et al, (2003) reported that the continuous application of organic manures increases the level of N, P and K, in the soil. Singh et al, (2008) reported that the application of FYM, vermicompost and green leaf manures in releasing N and improving N availability in soil.…”