Mitigating the greenhouse gas balance of ruminant production systems through carbon sequestration in grasslands

Soil carbon sequestration (enhanced sinks) is the mechanism responsible for most of the greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation potential in the agriculture sector. Carbon sequestration in grasslands can be determined directly by measuring changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and indirectly by measuring the net balance of C fluxes. A literature search shows that grassland C sequestration reaches on average 5 ± 30 g C/m2 per year according to inventories of SOC stocks and -231 and 77 g C/m2 per year for drained organic and mineral soils, respectively, according to C flux balance. Off-site C sequestration occurs whenever more manure C is produced by than returned to a grassland plot. The sum of on- and off-site C sequestration reaches 129, 98 and 71 g C/m2 per year for grazed, cut and mixed European grasslands on mineral soils, respectively, however with high uncertainty. A range of management practices reduce C losses and increase C sequestration: (i) avoiding soil tillage and the conversion of grasslands to arable use, (ii) moderately intensifying nutrient-poor permanent grasslands, (iii) using light grazing instead of heavy grazing, (iv) increasing the duration of grass leys; (v) converting grass leys to grass-legume mixtures or to permanent grasslands. With nine European sites, direct emissions of N2O from soil and of CH4 from enteric fermentation at grazing, expressed in CO2 equivalents, compensated 10% and 34% of the on-site grassland C sequestration, respectively. Digestion inside the barn of the harvested herbage leads to further emissions of CH4 and N2O by the production systems, which were estimated at 130 g CO2 equivalents/m2 per year. The net balance of on- and off-site C sequestration, CH4 and N2O emissions reached 38 g CO2 equivalents/m2 per year, indicating a non-significant net sink activity. This net balance was, however, negative for intensively managed cut sites indicating a source to the atmosphere. In conclusion, this review confirms that grassland C sequestration has a strong potential to partly mitigate the GHG balance of ruminant production systems. However, as soil C sequestration is both reversible and vulnerable to disturbance, biodiversity loss and climate change, CH4 and N2O emissions from the livestock sector need to be reduced and current SOC stocks preserved.     

旱地农田不同耕作系统的能量/碳平衡

摘要：加强农田土壤保持耕作管理,科学认识和调控农田耕作系统能流碳流,提高农业生态系统固碳减排能力,对于减缓农业对全球温室效应的贡献具有重要意义。本研究以北方半湿润偏旱区山西寿阳旱作春玉米土壤保持耕作试验研究为基础,利用田间定位观测数据、辅助能投入参数,土壤呼吸田间原位测定,以及农业生态系统能量/碳平衡分析及碳循环过程模拟方法,综合分析和比较不同耕作（CT传统、RT少耕和NT免耕）系统能量/碳平衡及能-碳关联影响。与CT比较,采用RT和NT措施下工业能耗CO2-C损失降低约4%—12%（相当11—35 kg CO2-C?hm-2?a-1）。在RT和NT系统下耗能系数可降低约6%—10%,能量生产效率可提高约7%—12%。2006—2007年由田间原位测定土壤呼吸CO2-C释放通量估算,在玉米休闲期（尤其是秋耕处理后）,NT条件下土壤呼吸速率一般为最低（NT NT（2005380）>CT（1987375）。不同耕作下的玉米籽粒产量与生育期土壤呼吸通量趋势基本吻合,如2006-2007年玉米产量（kg?hm-2?a-1）平均为,RT（5614268）>NT（5533564）>CT（5487278）。玉米籽粒产量与生育期土壤呼吸通量之间呈密切相关（R2=0.88）。本研究结果得出,RT和NT对农田耕作系统的影响呈碳汇效应,且一般为NT >RT;而CT处理表现为碳源。RT和NT通过增加土壤碳投入是维持和提高土壤有机碳的有效途径。     

Dryland residue and soil organic matter as influenced by tillage, crop rotation, and cultural practice

Novel management practices are needed to increase dryland soil organic matter and crop yields that have been declining due to long-term conventional tillage with spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-fallow system in the northern Great Plains, USA. The effects of tillage, crop rotation, and cultural practice were evaluated on dryland crop biomass (stems + leaves) yield, surface residue, and soil organic C (SOC) and total N (STN) at the 0?C20?cm depth in a Williams loam (fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, frigid, Typic Argiustolls) from 2004 to 2007 in eastern Montana, USA. Treatments were two tillage practices [no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT)], four crop rotations [continuous spring wheat (CW), spring wheat-pea (Pisum sativum L.) (W-P), spring wheat-barley (Hordeum vulgaris L.) hay-pea (W-B-P), and spring wheat-barley hay-corn (Zea mays L.)-pea (W-B-C-P)], and two cultural practices [regular (conventional seed rates and plant spacing, conventional planting date, broadcast N fertilization, and reduced stubble height) and ecological (variable seed rates and plant spacing, delayed planting, banded N fertilization, and increased stubble height)]. Crop biomass and N content were 4 to 44% greater in W-B-C-P than in CW in 2004 and 2005 and greater in ecological than in regular cultural practice in CT. Soil surface residue amount and C and N contents were greater in NT than in CT, greater in CW, W-P, and W-B-C-P than in W-B-P, and greater in 2006 and 2007 than in 2004 and 2005. The SOC and STN concentrations at 0?C5?cm were 4 to 6% greater in CW than in W-P or W-B-P in NT and CT from 2005 and 2007. In 2007, SOC content at 10?C20?cm was greater in W-P and W-B-P than in W-B-C-P in CT but STN was greater in W-B-P and W-B-C-P than in CW in NT. From 2004 to 2007, SOC and STN concentrations varied at 0?C5?cm but increased at 5?C20?cm. Diversified crop rotation and delayed planting with higher seed rates and banded N fertilization increased the amount of crop biomass returned to the soil and surface residue C and N. Although no-tillage increased surface residue C and N, continuous nonlegume cropping increased soil C and N levels at the surface layer compared with other crop rotations. Continued return of crop residue from 2004 to 2007 may increase soil C and N levels but long-term studies are needed to better evaluate the effect of management practices on soil C and N levels under dryland cropping systems in the northern Great Plains.     

Long‐term no‐till and stover retention each decrease the global warming potential of irrigated continuous corn

Over the last 50 years, the most increase in cultivated land area globally has been due to a doubling of irrigated land. Long‐term agronomic management impacts on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and global warming potential (GWP) in irrigated systems, however, remain relatively unknown. Here, residue and tillage management effects were quantified by measuring soil nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄) fluxes and SOC changes (ΔSOC) at a long‐term, irrigated continuous corn (Zea mays L.) system in eastern Nebraska, United States. Management treatments began in 2002, and measured treatments included no or high stover removal (0 or 6.8 Mg DM ha^?1 yr^?1, respectively) under no‐till (NT) or conventional disk tillage (CT) with full irrigation (n = 4). Soil N₂O and CH₄ fluxes were measured for five crop‐years (2011–2015), and ΔSOC was determined on an equivalent mass basis to ~30 cm soil depth. Both area‐ and yield‐scaled soil N₂O emissions were greater with stover retention compared to removal and for CT compared to NT, with no interaction between stover and tillage practices. Methane comprised <1% of total emissions, with NT being CH₄ neutral and CT a CH₄ source. Surface SOC decreased with stover removal and with CT after 14 years of management. When ΔSOC, soil GHG emissions, and agronomic energy usage were used to calculate system GWP, all management systems were net GHG sources. Conservation practices (NT, stover retention) each decreased system GWP compared to conventional practices (CT, stover removal), but pairing conservation practices conferred no additional mitigation benefit. Although cropping system, management equipment/timing/history, soil type, location, weather, and the depth to which ΔSOC is measured affect the GWP outcomes of irrigated systems at large, this long‐term irrigated study provides valuable empirical evidence of how management decisions can impact soil GHG emissions and surface SOC stocks.     

Nitrogen Management Affects Carbon Sequestration in North American Cropland Soils

Agricultural soils in North America can be a sink for rising atmospheric CO₂ concentrations through the formation of soil organic matter (SOM) or humus. Humification is limited by the availability of nutrients such as nitrogen (N). Recommended management practices (RMPs) that optimize N availability foster humus formation. This review examines the management practices that contribute to maximizing N availability for optimizing sequestration of atmospheric CO₂ into soil humus. Farming practices that enhance nutrient use, reduce or eliminate tillage, and increase crop intensity, together, affect N availability and, therefore, C sequestration. N additions, from especially, livestock manure and leguminous cover crops are necessary for increasing grain and biomass yields and returning crop residues to the soil thereby increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration. Conservation tillage practices enhance also the availability of N and increase SOC concentration. Increase in cropping intensity and/or crop rotations produce higher quantity and quality of residues, increase availability of N, and therefore foster increase in C sequestration. The benefit of C sequestration from N additions may be negated by CO₂ and N₂O emissions associated with production and application of N fertilizers. More studies need to be conducted to ascertain the benefits of adding N via manuring versus N fertilizer additions. Furthermore, site specific adaptive research is needed to identify RMPs that optimize soil N use efficiency while improving crop yield and C sequestration thereby curbing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Due to the wide range of climate in North America, there is a large range of C sequestration potential in agricultural soils through N management. Humid croplands may have the potential to sequester 8–298 Tg C yr^?1 while dry croplands may sequester 1–35 Tg C yr^?1. These estimates, however, are highly uncertain and wide-ranging. Clearly, more research is needed to quantify, more precisely, the C sequestration potential across different N management scenarios especially in Mexico and Canada.     

Climate,duration, and N placement determine N2O emissions in reduced tillage systems: a meta‐analysis

No‐tillage and reduced tillage (NT/RT) management practices are being promoted in agroecosystems to reduce erosion, sequester additional soil C and reduce production costs. The impact of NT/RT on N₂O emissions, however, has been variable with both increases and decreases in emissions reported. Herein, we quantitatively synthesize studies on the short‐ and long‐term impact of NT/RT on N₂O emissions in humid and dry climatic zones with emissions expressed on both an area‐ and crop yield‐scaled basis. A meta‐analysis was conducted on 239 direct comparisons between conventional tillage (CT) and NT/RT. In contrast to earlier studies, averaged across all comparisons, NT/RT did not alter N₂O emissions compared with CT. However, NT/RT significantly reduced N₂O emissions in experiments >10 years, especially in dry climates. No significant correlation was found between soil texture and the effect of NT/RT on N₂O emissions. When fertilizer‐N was placed at ≥5 cm depth, NT/RT significantly reduced area‐scaled N₂O emissions, in particular under humid climatic conditions. Compared to CT under dry climatic conditions, yield‐scaled N₂O increased significantly (57%) when NT/RT was implemented <10 years, but decreased significantly (27%) after ≥10 years of NT/RT. There was a significant decrease in yield‐scaled N₂O emissions in humid climates when fertilizer‐N was placed at ≥5 cm depth. Therefore, in humid climates, deep placement of fertilizer‐N is recommended when implementing NT/RT. In addition, NT/RT practices need to be sustained for a prolonged time, particularly in dry climates, to become an effective mitigation strategy for reducing N₂O emissions.     

渭北旱塬农田不同耕作模式对土壤性状、玉米产量和水分利用效率的影响

通过渭北旱塬黑垆土8年定位试验,研究了秸秆还田下6种耕作方式,即连年翻耕(CT/CT)、免耕(NT/NT)、深松(ST/ST)和免耕/深松(NT/ST)、翻耕/免耕(CT/NT)、翻耕/深松(CT/ST)对土壤团聚体、有机碳、作物产量和水分利用效率(WUE)的影响.结果表明:与CT/CT相比,NT/NT、ST/ST及3种轮耕措施减小了土壤力稳性团聚体的平均质量直径;NT/NT、ST/ST和NT/ST措施增加了20～50 cm土层>0.25 mm水稳性团聚体的含量(WR_0.25)和平均质量直径,降低了土壤团聚体结构破坏率(PAD).在0～10 cm土层,NT/ST、CT/NT、NT/NT和ST/ST处理土壤有机碳含量显著高于CT/CT处理.随着土层加深,各耕作处理土壤有机碳含量下降,但3种单一耕作处理(ST/ST、NT/NT和CT/CT)下降幅度大于3种轮耕处理(CT/NT、ST/CT和NT/ST).与CT/CT相比,其他5种耕作方式均增加了农田0～200 cm土层的土壤蓄水量、作物产量和水分利用效率,其中,NT/ST处理作物产量和WUE分别显著提高了15.1%和27.5%.相关分析表明,玉米产量、WUE与0～200 cm土层生育期和休闲期的蓄水量呈显著正相关,且生育期蓄水量与0～50 cm土层的WR_0.25呈显著正相关,与PAD呈显著负相关;其中,20～50 cm土层的WR_0.25、PAD与玉米产量、生育期蓄水量以及WUE关系最密切;生育期蓄水量和WUE还与0～10 cm土层的有机碳含量呈显著正相关.综合考虑不同耕作措施对土壤结构、作物产量和水分利用效率的影响,免耕/深松是最适宜于渭北旱塬区黑垆土春玉米种植的耕作方式.     

保护性耕作对农田碳、氮效应的影响研究进展

作物产量的高低主要取决于土壤肥力,如何保持并提高土壤肥力是确保我国粮食安全和农业可持续发展的重要任务,也是众多学者关注的焦点。土壤有机碳和氮素是评价土壤质量的重要指标,其动态平衡直接影响土壤肥力和作物产量。随着全球气候变化及环境污染问题的愈加突出,农田土壤固碳及提高氮效率成为各界科学家研究的热点。目前,保护性耕作已成为发展可持续农业的重要技术之一,对土壤固碳及氮素的利用具有很大的影响。深入了解保护性耕作对土壤有机碳固持与氮素利用效率提高的影响机制,对于正确评价土壤肥力有着重要意义。但由于气候、土壤及种植制度等条件不一致,关于保护性耕作对农田碳、氮效应结论不一。阐述了国际上保护性耕作对农田系统土壤有机碳含量变化及其分解排放(如CO₂和CH₄)、氮素变化及其矿化损失(如NH₃挥发、N₂O排放与氮淋失)和碳氮素相互关系(如C/N层化率)影响的研究进展,并分析了其影响因素和相关机理。尽管国内保护性耕作的研究已进行30 多年,但在土壤有机碳与氮素方面与国外相比依然有较大的差距。保护性耕作对土壤固碳与氮素利用的影响机制,碳素和氮素在土壤-植株-大气系统中的转移变化,及结合农事管理等综合评价其生态效应的研究很少。在此基础上,提出未来我国保护性耕作在土壤有机碳固定和氮素利用方面的重点研究方向:(1)在定位试验基础上进一步探讨保护性耕作对土壤有机碳及氮素利用的影响机制;(2)深入研究土壤有机碳和氮素的相互关系及其对土壤肥力的影响;(3)结合环境保护与土壤可持续管理对保护性耕作农田土壤固碳及氮素高效利用的系统评价研究;(4)加强保护性耕作对农田碳、氮效应的宏观研究,合理评价保护性耕措施下对农田碳、氮综合效应。     

不同耕作措施对冬小麦-夏玉米复种连作系统土壤有机碳和水分利用效率的影响

在连续8年田间定位试验的基础上,分析了关中平原冬小麦 夏玉米复种连作系统2008—2009年连续两个生长季期间不同耕作措施(结合秸秆还田和不还田)对土壤有机碳和水分利用率的影响.结果表明: 相对于传统耕作,保护性耕作有利于土壤有机碳、水分利用效率和作物产量的提高,其中在“深松+秸秆还田”耕作模式下的增幅最高,土壤有机碳含量在0～30 cm土层增幅达到19.5%,水分利用效率和作物产量提高了16.9%和20.5%,而免耕模式则有效提高了0～10 cm土层有机碳含量.在该地区土壤和气候条件下,深松结合秸秆粉碎还田是最理想的耕作模式,最有利于土壤有机碳累积,并提高水分利用效率和作物产量.     

Effects of Conservation Tillage on Topsoil Microbial Metabolic Characteristics and Organic Carbon within Aggregates under a Rice (Oryza sativa L.) –Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Cropping System in Central China

Investigating microbial metabolic characteristics and soil organic carbon (SOC) within aggregates and their relationships under conservation tillage may be useful in revealing the mechanism of SOC sequestration in conservation tillage systems. However, limited studies have been conducted to investigate the relationship between SOC and microbial metabolic characteristics within aggregate fractions under conservation tillage. We hypothesized that close relationships can exist between SOC and microbial metabolic characteristics within aggregates under conservation tillage. In this study, a field experiment was conducted from June 2011 to June 2013 following a split-plot design of a randomized complete block with tillage practices [conventional intensive tillage (CT) and no tillage (NT)] as main plots and straw returning methods [preceding crop residue returning (S, 2100−2500 kg C ha⁻¹) and removal (NS, 0 kg C ha^-1)] as subplots with three replications. The objective of this study was to reveal the effects of tillage practices and residue-returning methods on topsoil microbial metabolic characteristics and organic carbon (SOC) fractions within aggregates and their relationships under a rice–wheat cropping system in central China. Microbial metabolic characteristics investigated using the Biolog system was examined within two aggregate fractions (>0.25 and <0.25 mm). NT treatments significantly increased SOC concentration of bulk soil, >0.25 aggregate, and <0.25 mm aggregate in the 0−5 cm soil layer by 5.8%, 6.8% and 7.9% relative to CT treatments, respectively. S treatments had higher SOC concentration of bulk soil (12.9%), >0.25 mm aggregate (11.3%), and <0.25 mm aggregate (14.1%) than NS treatments. Compared with CT treatments, NT treatments increased MBC by 11.2%, 11.5%, and 20%, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration by 15.5%, 29.5%, and 14.1% of bulk soil, >0.25 mm aggregate, and <0.25 mm aggregate in the 0−5 cm soil layer, respectively. Compared with NS treatments, S treatments significantly increased MBC by 29.8%, 30.2%, and 24.1%, and DOC concentration by 23.2%, 25.0%, and 37.5% of bulk soil, >0.25 mm aggregate, and <0.25 mm aggregate in the 0−5 cm soil layer, respectively. Conservation tillage (NT and S) increased microbial metabolic activities and Shannon index in >0.25 and <0.25 mm aggregates in the 0−5 cm soil layer. Redundancy analysis showed that the SOC and its fractions (DOC and MBC) were closely correlated with microbial metabolic activities. Structural equation modelling showed that the increase in microbial metabolic activities directly improved SOC by promoting DOC in >0.25 mm aggregate in the upper (0−5 cm) soil layer under conservation tillage systems, as well as directly and indirectly by promoting DOC and MBC in <0.25 mm aggregate. Our results suggested that conservation tillage increased SOC in aggregates in the topsoil by improving microbial metabolic activities.     

Stratification and Storage of Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen as Affected by Tillage Practices in the North China Plain

Tillage practices can redistribute the soil profiles, and thus affects soil organic carbon (SOC), and its storage. The stratification ratio (SR) can be an indicator of soil quality. This study was conducted to determine tillage effects on the profile distribution of certain soil properties in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and summer maize (Zea mays L.) systems in the North China Plain (NCP). Three tillage treatments, including no till (NT), rotary tillage (RT), and plow tillage (PT), were established in 2001 in Luancheng County, Hebei Province. The concentration, storage, and SR of SOC and soil total nitrogen (TN) were assessed in both the wheat and maize seasons. Compared with RT and PT, the mean SRs for all depth ratios of SOC under NT increased by 7.85% and 30.61% during the maize season, and by 14.67% and 30.91% during the wheat season, respectively. The SR of TN for 0–5:30–50 cm increased by 140%, 161%, and 161% in the maize season, and 266%, 154%, and 122% in the wheat season compared to the SR for 0–5:5–10 cm under NT, RT and PT, respectively. The data indicated that SOC and TN were both concentrated in the surface-soil layers (0–10 cm) under NT but were distributed relatively evenly through the soil profile under PT. Meanwhile, the storage of SOC and TN was higher under NT for the surface soil (0–10 cm) but was higher under PT for the deeper soil (30–50 cm). Furthermore, the storage of SOC and TN was significantly related to SR of SOC and TN along the whole soil profile (P<0.0001). Therefore, SR could be used to explain and indicate the changes in the storage of SOC and TN. Further, NT stratifies SOC and TN, enhances the topsoil SOC storage, and helps to improve SOC sequestration and soil quality.     

Responses of soil carbon sequestration to climate‐smart agriculture practices: A meta‐analysis

Climate‐smart agriculture (CSA) management practices (e.g., conservation tillage, cover crops, and biochar applications) have been widely adopted to enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring crop productivity. However, current measurements regarding the influences of CSA management practices on SOC sequestration diverge widely, making it difficult to derive conclusions about individual and combined CSA management effects and bringing large uncertainties in quantifying the potential of the agricultural sector to mitigate climate change. We conducted a meta‐analysis of 3,049 paired measurements from 417 peer‐reviewed articles to examine the effects of three common CSA management practices on SOC sequestration as well as the environmental controlling factors. We found that, on average, biochar applications represented the most effective approach for increasing SOC content (39%), followed by cover crops (6%) and conservation tillage (5%). Further analysis suggested that the effects of CSA management practices were more pronounced in areas with relatively warmer climates or lower nitrogen fertilizer inputs. Our meta‐analysis demonstrated that, through adopting CSA practices, cropland could be an improved carbon sink. We also highlight the importance of considering local environmental factors (e.g., climate and soil conditions and their combination with other management practices) in identifying appropriate CSA practices for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring crop productivity.     

Carbon input differences as the main factor explaining the variability in soil organic C storage in no-tilled compared to inversion tilled agrosystems

Conversion to no-till (NT) is usually associated to increased soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in comparison to inversion tillage (IT). However, an important and unexplained variability in the changes in SOC with NT adoption exists, which impedes accurate prediction of its potential for C sequestration. We performed a meta-analysis with pedo-climatic and crop factors observed to influence SOC storage under NT at local and regional scales, in order to determine those better explaining this variability at a global scale. We studied SOC stocks (0–30?cm) in an equivalent soil mass, climatic and soil characteristics in 92 NT–IT paired cases. A sub-base with the 35 pairs providing C inputs was used to test their effect. Greater SOC stocks were observed with NT, with a smaller difference than often described (6.7%, i.e. 3.4?Mg C ha^?1). Crop C inputs differences was the only factor significantly and positively related to SOC stock differences between NT and IT, explaining 30% of their variability. The variability in SOC storage induced by NT conversion seems largely related to the variability of the crop production response. Changes at the agro-ecosystem level, not only in soil, should be considered when assessing the potential of NT for C sequestration.     

Emissions of CH4 and N2O under Different Tillage Systems from Double-Cropped Paddy Fields in Southern China

Understanding greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions is becoming increasingly important with the climate change. Most previous studies have focused on the assessment of soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration potential and GHG emissions from agriculture. However, specific experiments assessing tillage impacts on GHG emission from double-cropped paddy fields in Southern China are relatively scarce. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the effects of tillage systems on methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission in a double rice (Oryza sativa L.) cropping system. The experiment was established in 2005 in Hunan Province, China. Three tillage treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design: conventional tillage (CT), rotary tillage (RT) and no-till (NT). Fluxes of CH₄ from different tillage treatments followed a similar trend during the two years, with a single peak emission for the early rice season and a double peak emission for the late rice season. Compared with other treatments, NT significantly reduced CH₄ emission among the rice growing seasons (P<0.05). However, much higher variations in N₂O emission were observed across the rice growing seasons due to the vulnerability of N₂O to external influences. The amount of CH₄ emission in paddy fields was much higher relative to N₂O emission. Conversion of CT to NT significantly reduced the cumulative CH₄ emission for both rice seasons compared with other treatments (P<0.05). The mean value of global warming potentials (GWPs) of CH₄ and N₂O emissions over 100 years was in the order of NT<RT<CT, which indicated NT was significantly lower than both CT and RT (P<0.05). This suggests that adoption of NT would be beneficial for GHG mitigation and could be a good option for carbon-smart agriculture in double rice cropped regions.     

不同耕作方式下长期秸秆还田对旱作春玉米田土壤碳、氮、水含量及产量的影响

为了探索渭北旱塬春玉米田保护性轮耕模式的土壤培肥效果和增产增收效应,于2007—2014年在陕西合阳实施了秸秆覆盖或还田条件下免耕/深松(NT/ST)、深松/翻耕(ST/CT)、翻耕/免耕(CT/NT)、连续免耕(NT)、连续深松(ST)和连续翻耕(CT)等6种耕作处理田间定位试验,测定并分析了2010—2014年玉米收获期各耕作处理下0～60 cm土壤有机碳、氮储量,0～200 cm土层土壤含水量变化及春玉米产量差异.结果表明: 6种耕作处理中以NT/ST处理增加土壤有机碳和全氮储量最为明显.与2007年试验前相比,6种耕作处理均增加了0～60 cm土层土壤有机碳储量,5年平均值增幅为12.3%～28.3%,5种保护性耕作处理土壤有机碳储量5年平均值较CT对照处理显著增加7.1%～13.2%.NT/ST、ST/CT、CT/NT等3种轮耕处理和NT处理0～60 cm土层土壤氮储量5年平均值较试验前增加2.5%～7.3%.NT/ST、ST/CT、CT/NT、NT和ST处理土壤氮储量5年平均值比连续翻耕增加3.6%～11.1%.5种保护性耕作处理土壤含水量较CT处理依次增加5.7%、2.3%、2.0%、5.5%和4.4%,以NT/ST处理土壤含水量最高.6种耕作处理春玉米平均产量表现为NT/ST>ST/CT>ST >NT>CT/NT>CT,以NT/ST处理最高,分别较其他5种处理显著增产4.2%、13.0%、11.3%、4.7%和13.8%;经济效益平均表现为NT/ST>ST/CT>ST>NT>CT/NT>CT.在6种耕作处理中,免耕/深松轮耕处理在改善土壤环境质量、提升土壤肥力和增产增收方面都表现出优越性,为旱作春玉米田较适宜的土壤轮耕模式.     

耕作和培肥对豫中区小麦-玉米轮作系统土壤氮平衡和温室气体排放的影响

豫中区作为黄淮海平原粮食的主产地,节能、减排和增效是该区农业发展的重要方向。本研究基于2010年耕作与培肥定位试验,在2018—2019年探究了3种耕作方式(深耕、浅耕和免耕)和2种培肥模式(氮肥和氮肥+有机肥)对土壤氮平衡和温室气体排放的影响。结果表明: 增施有机肥能增加土壤全氮积累量;在小麦和玉米成熟期,0～60 cm土层土壤全氮积累量在浅耕+有机肥处理下最高,分别为8058.53和8299 kg N·hm^-2,较其他处理高3.2%～27.4%和4.3%～7.2%。分析土壤氮素投入与输出可知,增施有机肥处理氮素均表现为盈余,浅耕+有机肥处理盈余量最高,为13.57 kg N·hm^-2,比深耕+有机肥和免耕+有机肥分别高9.52和0.18 kg N·hm^-2;氮损失以硝态氮淋溶为主,占总损失的73.4%～76.9%,其中深耕+有机肥处理硝态氮淋溶量最高,为48.37 kg N·hm^-2,较其他处理高18.9%～35.1%。2018—2019周年全球增温潜势在深耕+有机肥处理下最高,为33070 kg N·hm^-2,较其他处理高6.6%～26.8%;增施有机肥增加了N₂O和CO₂的排放,降低了CH₄的吸收。作物周年产量在深耕+有机肥处理下最高,较其他处理高5.0%～17.1%;但作物收获指数在浅耕+有机肥处理下最高。综上,在保证作物产量、维持氮素平衡和降低温室气体排放方面,推荐的种植模式为浅耕+增施有机肥。     

农田土壤固碳措施的温室气体泄漏和净减排潜力

农田土壤固碳措施作为京都议定书认可的大气CO2减排途径受到了广泛关注.研究表明,农田土壤固碳措施在主要农业国家和全球都具有很大的固碳潜力.但是,实施农田土壤固碳措施有可能影响农业中化石燃料消耗和其他农业投入的CO2排放和非CO2温室气体排放.这些土壤碳库以外的温室气体排放变化可能抵消部分甚至全部土壤固碳效果,构成了农田土壤固碳措施的温室气体泄漏.因此,将土壤固碳和温室气体泄漏综合计算的净减排潜力成为了判定土壤固碳措施可行性的首要标准.综述总结了目前较受重视的一些农田措施(包括施用化学氮肥、免耕和保护性耕作、灌溉、秸秆还田、施用禽畜粪便以及污灌)的土壤固碳潜力,温室气体泄漏和净减排潜力研究成果.结果表明,温室气体泄漏可抵消以上措施土壤固碳效益的-241%～660%.建议在今后的研究中,应该关注土壤碳饱和、气候变化及土地利用变化对农田固碳措施温室气体泄漏和净减排潜力的评估结果的影响.     

Assessment of carbon sustainability under different tillage systems in a double rice cropping system in Southern China

Purpose

Adoption of the carbon (C)-friendly and cleaner technology is an effective solution to offset some of the anthropogenic emissions. Conservation tillage is widely considered as an important sustainable technology and for the development of conservation agriculture (CA). Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the C sustainability of different tillage systems in a double rice (Oryza sativa L.) cropping system in southern China.

Methods

The experiment was established with no-till (NT), rotary tillage (RT), and conventional tillage (CT) treatments since 2005. Emission of greenhouse gasses (GHG), C footprint (CF), and ecosystem service through C sequestration in different tillage systems were compared.

Result and discussion

Emission of GHG from agricultural inputs (Mg CO₂-eq ha^?1 year^?1) ranged from 1.81 to 1.97 for the early rice, 1.82 to 1.98 for the late rice, and 3.63 to 3.95 for the whole growing season, respectively. The CF (kg CO₂-eq kg^?1 of rice year^?1) in the whole growing seasons were 1.27, 1.85, and 1.40 [excluding soil organic carbon (SOC) storage] and 0.54, 1.20, and 0.72 (including SOC storage) for NT, RT, and CT, respectively. The value of ecosystem services on C sequestration for the whole growing seasons ranged from ¥3,353 to 4,948 ha^?1 year^?1 and followed the order of NT > CT > RT. The C sustainability under NT was better than that under RT for the late, but reversed for the early rice. However, NT system had better C sustainability for the whole cropping system compared with CT.

Conclusions

Therefore, NT is a preferred technology to reduce GHG emissions, increase ecosystem service functions of C sequestration, and improve C sustainability in a double rice cropping region of Southern China.     

Soil Aggregates and Associated Organic Matter under Conventional Tillage,No-Tillage,and Forest Succession after Three Decades

Impacts of land use on soil organic C (SOC) are of interest relative to SOC sequestration and soil sustainability. The role of aggregate stability in SOC storage under contrasting land uses has been of particular interest relative to conventional tillage (CT) and no-till (NT) agriculture. This study compares soil structure and SOC fractions at the 30-yr-old Horseshoe Bend Agroecosystem Experiment (HSB). This research is unique in comparing NT and CT with adjacent land concurrently undergoing forest succession (FS) and in sampling to depths (15–28 cm) previously not studied at HSB. A soil moving experiment (SME) was also undertaken to monitor 1-yr changes in SOC and aggregation. After 30 years, enhanced aggregate stability under NT compared to CT was limited to a depth of 5 cm, while enhanced aggregate stability under FS compared to CT occurred to a depth of 28 cm and FS exceeded NT from 5–28 cm. Increases in SOC concentrations generally followed the increases in stability, except that no differences in SOC concentration were observed from 15–28 cm despite greater aggregate stability. Land use differences in SOC were explained equally by differences in particulate organic carbon (POC) and in silt-clay associated fine C. Enhanced structural stability of the SME soil was observed under FS and was linked to an increase of 1 Mg SOC ha⁻¹ in 0–5 cm, of which 90% could be attributed to a POC increase. The crushing of macroaggregates in the SME soil also induced a 10% reduction in SOC over 1 yr that occurred under all three land uses from 5–15 cm. The majority of this loss was in the fine C fraction. NT and FS ecosystems had greater aggregation and carbon storage at the soil surface but only FS increased aggregation below the surface, although in the absence of increased carbon storage.     

开放式空气CO2增高对稻田CH4和N2O排放的影响

在FACE(free aircarbondioxideenrichment)平台上 ,采用静态暗箱 气相色谱法观测研究了大气CO2 浓度增加对稻田CH4和N2 O排放的影响 .结果表明 ,在 15 0和 2 5 0kgN·hm-2 两种氮肥水平下大气CO2 浓度增加 2 0 0 μmol·mol-1均明显促进水稻生长 ,水稻生物量积累 .大气CO2 浓度增加对 15 0和 2 5 0kgN·hm-2 两种氮肥水平下稻田CH4排放均无显著影响 ,并简要分析了与现有文献报道结果不一致的原因 .大气CO2 浓度增加也未导致 15 0和 2 5 0kgN·hm-2 两种氮肥水平下稻田N2 O排放的明显变化 ,与大多数研究结果一致 .