Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Green-Harvested Sugarcane With and Without Post-harvest Burning in Tucumán, Argentina

Abstract

Concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere are increasing due to anthropogenic actions, and agriculture is one of the most important contributors. This study quantified GHG emissions from greencane harvested sugarcane with and without post-harvest burning in Tucuma ´n (Argentina). A field trial was conducted in Tucuma ´n during the 2011/2012 season using a randomised complete-block design with four replications. Treatments were: (a) harvest without sugarcane burning (neither before nor after), and (b) harvest with trash burnt after harvest. The method used to capture gases (CO 2 , CH 4 and N 2 O) in the crop cycle was based on closed-vented chambers, while quantification was by gas chromatography. There were significant emission rates of CO 2 and N 2 O during the sugarcane cycle in Tucuma ´n, but no evidence of CH 4 emissions or uptakes. N 2 O and CO 2 emission rates were higher in the no-burning treatment than in the burnt, but only in part of the crop cycle. The former is apparently associated with the application of nitrogen fertiliser, while the higher CO 2 emissions seem to be associated with trash retention. There were no significant correlations between environmental factors and emission rates. Although these results seem pessimistic, in the context of an entire crop GHG balance (including the emissions due to burning before or after harvest) green-cane harvesting without burning could effectively lead to a reduction of total GHG emissions during the crop cycle.

CO2, CH4 and N2O emissions after fertilizer application in banana plantations located in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

“…Environmental conditions and temporal variations can be linked with larger CO 2 emissions by promoting root respiration and organic matter decomposition and stimulating microbial activity. Many studies agree that CO 2 emission rates depend on climate and seasonal variations (Acreche et al, 2014;Chalco Vera & Acreche, 2018;Dhadli et al, 2016;Figueiredo et al, 2015;La Scala et al, 2005;Paustian et al, 2000). The lack of significant differences between the treatments suggests that soil fertilization did not appear to be the main factor controlling CO 2 emissions.…”

Multi-Analytical Interactions in Support of Sugarcane Agroecosystems Sustainability in Tropical Soils

“…ha −1 y −1 [99,100]. However, Acreche et al [118] reported 43% more CO 2 emissions from tillering in the green harvest system and 247% more N 2 O emissions from post-fertilization than in burnt sugarcane, and the authors reported meaningful CH 4 emissions rates compared with those of CO 2 and N 2 O.…”

Short-Term Soil CO2 Emission and Soil Attributes Under Contrasting Sugarcane Cultivars

“…An increase in air and soil temperatures accelerates organic matter decomposition and the activity of microorganisms and roots (Six et al 2006;Silva-Olaya et al 2013). In its turn, this acceleration influences FCO 2 , which responds linearly to increases in soil temperature (Acreche et al 2013). Thus, assessing this attribute when characterizing the temporal variability of soil CO 2 flux to the atmosphere is very important.…”