Carbon dioxide and methane fluxes from a barley field amended with organic fertilizers under Mediterranean climatic conditions

A field experiment was carried out in a non-irrigated barley crop (Hordeum vulgare L. cv Bornova) with the aims of evaluating the effects of applying organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) fluxes and assessing the residual effect of these fertilizers after the first rainfall events of autumn. Both soil CO₂ and CH₄ fluxes seemed to be dependent on temperature. The soils were a net sink for CH₄ and the application of inorganic fertilizers reduced the sink potential. CO₂ emissions increased following the application of fertilizers and after the first rainfall events in the autumn. The use of digested pig slurry caused a reduction of the CO₂ equivalents produced per unit of crop yield.