• Authors:
    • Yang, C.
    • Wang, H.
    • Lemke, R. L.
    • Zentner, R. P.
    • Campbell, C. A.
    • Liang, C.
    • Gan, Y.
  • Source: European Journal of Agronomy
  • Volume: 43
  • Issue: November
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Growing interest in environmental quality has provided a strong incentive to examine how farming practices affect agricultural products' carbon footprints (CF), an environmental quality indicator. This study determined (i) the CF of spring wheat (Triticurn aestivum L.) grown in different cropping systems over 25 years, and (ii) the effect of soil organic carbon (SOC) changes over years on wheat CF. Wheat was grown in four cropping systems: (a) fallow-wheat (FW), (b) fallow-wheat-wheat (FWW), (c) fallow-wheat-wheat-wheat-wheat-wheat (FWWWWW), and (d) continuous wheat (ContW), in replicated field plots in Saskatchewan, Canada. Wheat CF was calculated at a system level with measured variables coupled with modeling approaches. Over the 25-year period, the soil under the ContW system gained organic C of 1340 kg CO2 eq ha(-1) annually, or 38%. 55%, and 127% more than those gained in the FWWWWW, FWW, and FW systems, respectively. The SOC gain more than offset the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions occurred during wheat production, leading to negative emission values at -742 kg CO2 eq ha(-1) annually for ContW, and -459, -404, and -191 kg CO2 eq ha(-1) for FWWWWW, FWW, and FW systems, respectively. Wheat in the ContW system produced the highest grain yield and gained highest SOC over the years, leading to the smallest (more negative) CF value at -0.441 kg CO2 eq kg(-1) of grain, significantly lower than the CF values from the three other systems (-0.102 to -0.116 kg CO2 eq kg(-1) of grain). Without considering the SOC gain in the calculation, wheat CF averaged 0.343 kg CO2 eq kg(-1) of grain and which did not differ among cropping systems. Wheat is the largest agricultural commodity in Saskatchewan, and the way the crop is produced has significant impacts on environmental quality, reflected by its carbon footprint. Cropping systems with decreased fallow frequency was shown to significantly enhance soil carbon gains over the years, increase annualized crop yields, and effectively lower the carbon footprint of this important commodity. Crown Copyright (c) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
  • Authors:
    • Tsegaye, T. D.
    • Loescher, H. W.
    • Gebremedhin, M. T.
  • Source: Agronomy Journal
  • Volume: 104
  • Issue: 5
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: The southeastern United States is an economically important agricultural region, yet its role in the regional C budget is not fully understood. There is concern that climate change, particularly altered precipitation patterns, may induce a shift in how crops exchange CO2 with the atmosphere. This study examined the seasonal and interannual variation in net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of a winter wheat cover crop (Triticum aestivum L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] using the eddy covariance (EC) method. This was conducted at Winfred Thomas Agricultural Research Station, Hazel Green, AL (2007-2009). Annual C balance ranged from a source in 2007 (NEE = 100 g C m(-2) yr(-1)) to a sink (-20 g C m(-2) yr(-1)) in 2009. Annual ecosystem respiration (Re) ranged between 750 and 1013 g C m(-2) yr(-1), while gross ecosystem productivity was between 650 and 1034 g C m(-2) yr(-1). Seasonal NEE for soybean ranged between 42 and -66 g C m(-2). The uptake rates from the cover crop (NEE = -80.0, -80.4, and -40.0 g C m(-2) for 2007, 2008, and 2009, respectively) suggested the importance of winter C uptake off setting C losses caused by summer droughts. The R-e varied between 286 and 542 g C m(-2) for soybean and between 160 and 313 g C m(-2) for the cover crop. Annual variations in NEE and R-e were primarily due to precipitation and air temperature, respectively, indicating a tight coupling between biophysical factors and C uptake. Our results were compared with those from other reported NEE crop estimates using EC.
  • Authors:
    • Wagner-Riddle, C.
    • Maas, S. E.
    • Amiro, B. D.
    • Tenuta, M.
    • Glenn, A. J.
  • Source: Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
  • Volume: 166
  • Issue: December
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Agricultural soils are a significant anthropogenic source of nitrous oxide (N2O) to the atmosphere. Despite likely having large emissions of N2O, there are no continuous multi-year studies of emissions from poorly drained floodplain soil. In the present study, the micrometeorological flux of N2O (E-N) was measured over three years (2006-2008) in a maize (Zea mays L.)/faba (Vicia faba minor L.)/spring-wheat (Triticum aestivum L) rotation in the Red River Valley, Manitoba, Canada on a gleyed humic verticol soil. Comparison of newly established reduced and intensive tillage treatments showed no difference in F-N within the constraints of the high variability between duplicate plots. The annual gap-filled Sigma F-N across tillage treatments was 5.5, 1.4, and 4.3 kg N ha(-1) in the maize, faba, and spring-wheat crop years, respectively. Emissions from fertilizer N addition and soil thaw the following spring was responsible for the greater Sigma F-N in the maize and spring-wheat years. Using four approaches to approximate background Sigma F-N resulted in estimates of 3.5-3.8% and 1.4-1.8% of applied fertilizer N emitted as N2O for the maize and spring-wheat crops, respectively. The CO2 global warming potential equivalent of Sigma F-N over the three study years was an emission of 5.4 Mg CO2-equiv. ha(-1) which adds to the previously determined C balance emission of 11.6 Mg CO2-equiv. ha(-1). (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
  • Authors:
    • Barbour, N. W.
    • Archer, D. W.
    • Weyers, S. L.
    • Johnson, J. M. F.
  • Source: Soil Science Society of America Journal
  • Volume: 76
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Empirical data on methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emission are needed for management systems from many regions of the United States to evaluate mitigation strategies. The primary objectives of this study were to assess and compare crop productivity, CH4 andN(2)O flux, and yield-scaled emissions between a conventionally and an organically managed system. All phases of a corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean [Glycine max L. (Merr.)]-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) over alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)-alfalfa rotation were present each year. Both systems emitted about 4.2 kg N2O-N ha(-1) yr(-1) including growing and nongrowing season emissions, which cumulatively represents 4.74 and 9.26% of 267 kg synthetic-N and 136 kg manure-N applied, respectively. The equivalent of 0.84% of the 78 kg urea-N and 0.76% of the 136 kg manure-N were emitted as N2O ha(-1) within 30-d of fertilizer application in the conventionally managed system and organically managed system, respectively. Following the application of starter fertilizer to the conventionally managed corn, the equivalent of 3.45% of the 11 kg starter N was emitted within 30 d. The largest spring-thaw N2O flux was measured in the conventionally managed system following alfalfa, which had been killed the previous fall. Yield-scaled N2O+CH4 emission (Mg CO2 equivalents Mg-1 yield) was 1.6- to 5-times greater in the organically managed system, which had lower yield but similar emission compared to the conventionally managed system. Thus, viability of organic systems to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emission may be compromised when crop productivity is reduced. Study results highlight the importance of assessing emission and crop production when evaluating GHG mitigation strategies.
  • Authors:
    • Schwarz, G.
    • Noleppa, S.
    • Kern, M.
  • Source: Pest Management Science
  • Volume: 68
  • Issue: 11
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: BACKGROUND: A major global challenge is to provide agricultural production systems that are able to sustain growing demands for food, feed, fibre and renewable raw materials without exacerbating climate change. Detailed and reliable data on the CO2 balance of different agricultural management activities and inputs as a basis to quantify carbon footprints of agriculture are still lacking. This study aims to fill this gap further by quantifying the net balance of emitted and assimilated CO2 due to the application of crop protection treatments on the farm, and by assessing their partial contribution to GHG emissions and mitigation in agriculture. The study focuses on key agricultural crops including wheat, corn, oilseeds and sugar crops. RESULTS: The final CO2 balance, considering GHG emissions due to on-farm CPP treatment in comparison with CO2 storage in additional biomass, CO2 protected with respect to agrotechnical inputs and land inputs and CO2 saved with respect to associated global land use changes, is positive and may reach multiples of up to nearly 2000. CONCLUSION: The results highlight the importance of the positive yield effects of the CPP programme applications on the farm, resulting in additional assimilated biomass at the farm level and less land use changes at the global level, and thus lower pressure on environmentally important indicators of overall agricultural sustainability.
  • Authors:
    • Robertson, M. J.
    • Pannell, D. J.
    • Kragt, M. E.
    • Thamo, T.
  • Source: Agricultural Systems
  • Volume: 112
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Carbon sequestration in agricultural soil has been identified as a potential strategy to offset greenhouse gas emissions. Within the public debate, it has been claimed that provision of positive incentives for farmers to change their land management will result in substantial carbon sequestration in agricultural soils at a low carbon price. However, there is little information about the costs or benefits of carbon sequestration in agricultural soils to test these claims. In this study, the costeffectiveness of alternative land-use and land-management practices that can increase soil carbon sequestration is analysed by integrating biophysical modelling of carbon sequestration with wholefarm economic modelling. Results suggest that, for a case study model of a crop-livestock farm in the Western Australian wheatbelt, sequestering higher levels of soil carbon by changing rotations (to include longer pasture phases) incur considerable opportunity costs. Under current commodity prices, farmers would forego more than $80 in profit for every additional tonne of CO2-e stored in soil, depending on their adoption of crop residue retention practices. This is much higher than the initial carbon price of $23 t(-1) in Australia's recently legislated carbon tax. This analysis does not incorporate the possibility that greenhouse gas emissions may increase as a result of including longer pasture phases. Accounting for emissions may substantially reduce the potential for net carbon sequestration at low carbon prices.
  • Authors:
    • van Kessel, C.
    • Pittelkow, C.
    • Adviento-Borbe, M. A.
    • van Groenigen,K. J.
    • Linquist, B.
  • Source: Global Change Biology
  • Volume: 18
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions contribute approximately 12% to total global anthropogenic GHG emissions. Cereals (rice, wheat, and maize) are the largest source of human calories, and it is estimated that world cereal production must increase by 1.3% annually to 2025 to meet growing demand. Sustainable intensification of cereal production systems will require maintaining high yields while reducing environmental costs. We conducted a meta-analysis (57 published studies consisting of 62 study sites and 328 observations) to test the hypothesis that the global warming potential (GWP) of CH4 and N2O emissions from rice, wheat, and maize, when expressed per ton of grain (yield-scaled GWP), is similar, and that the lowest value for each cereal is achieved at near optimal yields. Results show that the GWP of CH4 and N2O emissions from rice (3757 kg CO2 eq ha-1 season-1) was higher than wheat (662 kg CO2 eq ha-1 season-1) and maize (1399 kg CO2 eq ha-1 season-1). The yield-scaled GWP of rice was about four times higher (657 kg CO2 eq Mg-1) than wheat (166 kg CO2 eq Mg-1) and maize (185 kg CO2 eq Mg-1). Across cereals, the lowest yield-scaled GWP values were achieved at 92% of maximal yield and were about twice as high for rice (279 kg CO2 eq Mg-1) than wheat (102 kg CO2 eq Mg-1) or maize (140 kg CO2 eq Mg-1), suggesting greater mitigation opportunities for rice systems. In rice, wheat and maize, 0.68%, 1.21%, and 1.06% of N applied was emitted as N2O, respectively. In rice systems, there was no correlation between CH4 emissions and N rate. In addition, when evaluating issues related to food security and environmental sustainability, other factors including cultural significance, the provisioning of ecosystem services, and human health and well-being must also be considered.
  • Authors:
    • Williams, S.
    • Easter, M.
    • Paustian, K.
    • Lokupitiya, E.
    • Andren, O.
    • Katterer, T.
  • Source: Biogeochemistry
  • Volume: 107
  • Issue: 1-3
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Carbon (C) added to soil as organic matter in crop residues and carbon emitted to the atmosphere as CO(2) in soil respiration are key determinants of the C balance in cropland ecosystems. We used complete and comprehensive county-level yields and area data to estimate and analyze the spatial and temporal variability of regional and national scale residue C inputs, net primary productivity (NPP), and C stocks in US croplands from 1982 to 1997. Annual residue C inputs were highest in the North Central and Central and Northern Plains regions that comprise similar to 70% of US cropland. Average residue C inputs ranged from 1.8 (Delta States) to 3.0 (North Central region) Mg C ha(-1) year(-1), and average NPP ranged from 3.1 (Delta States) to 5.4 (Far West region) Mg C ha(-1) year(-1). Residue C inputs tended to be inversely proportional to the mean growing season temperature. A quadratic relationship incorporating the growing season mean temperature and total precipitation closely predicted the variation in residue C inputs in the North Central region and Central and Northern Plains. We analyzed the soil C balance using the crop residue database and the Introductory Carbon Balance regional Model (ICBMr). Soil C stocks (0-20 cm) on permanent cropland ranged between 3.07 and 3.1 Pg during the study period, with an average increase of similar to 4 Tg C year(-1), during the 1990s. Interannual variability in soil C stocks ranged from 0 to 20 Tg C (across a mean C stock of 3.08 +/- A 0.01 Pg) during the study period; interannual variability in residue C inputs varied between 1 and 43 Tg C (across a mean input of 220 +/- A 19 Tg). Such interannual variation has implications for national estimates of CO(2) emissions from cropland soils needed for implementation of greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation strategies involving agriculture.
  • Authors:
    • Guo-Feng, L.
    • Si-Bo, R. U.
    • Jun, Y. E.
    • Ning, L. V.
    • Li, M.
    • Zhen-An, H. O. U.
  • Source: Chinese Journal of Eco-Agriculture
  • Volume: 20
  • Issue: 8
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Soil organic carbon is critical for soil fertility and crop yield. Biochar (BC) is a carbon-rich organic material derived from incomplete pyrolysis of biomass and can constitute a significant fraction of soil carbon due to its prolonged lifespan in soils. The study investigated the influence of biochar on wheat growth and soil organic carbon in grey desert soils under greenhouse experiment. The objective was to learn how this soil amendment improved crop growth and increased soil carbon storage. Biochar was produced from dried cotton stalks via pyrolysis in oxygen-limited conditions. Three qualities of biochar produced at 450°C, 600°C and 750°C (referred as BC450, BC600 and BC750) were used as the soil organic amendment in the study. The experiment was that of 3*3 factorial design with three qualities of biochar (BC450, BC600 and BC750) and three application rates (5 g.kg -1, 10 g.kg -1 and 20 g.kg -1 of soil weight) plus an un-amended soil set as the control (CK). Wheat was planted for two consecutive growth seasons in 2009. The first-season of wheat was May 8 to July 15 and the second was August 8 to October 15. The results showed that dry matter weight of wheat under added BC treatments were significantly higher than that under CK. There were no significant differences among the three types and three application rates of biochar in terms of the first-season wheat dry matter weight. However, the second-season wheat dry matter weight was significantly affected by biochar qualities, application rates and the interaction of them. The highest wheat dry matter weight was under BC750 with an application rate of 20 g.kg -1. Soil total organic carbon increased with increasing biochar pyrolysis temperature and application rate. Soil total organic carbon under BC450, BC600 and BC750 was 2.11, 3.32 and 4.19 times of CK, respectively. Soil readily oxidizable carbon content was significantly higher under biochar treatments than the control. Water-soluble organic carbon was significantly higher under biochar treatments at 5 g.kg -1 and 10 g.kg -1 application rates than the control. However, there was no significant difference between 20 g.kg -1 biochar treatment and the control. Microbial biomass carbon increased significantly under biochar treatment, except for BC750 biochar at 5 g.kg -1 application rate. Readily oxidizable carbon and microbial biomass carbon contents of soil changed in the following order of BC450 > BC600 > BC750. However, soil water-soluble organic carbon content was not affected by biochar pyrolysis temperature. The order of influence of different biochar application rates on readily oxidizable soil carbon was 10 g.kg -1=20 g.kg -1> 5 g.kg -1, and that of water-soluble organic carbon was 5 g.kg -1=10 g.kg -1 > 20 g.kg -1. For soil microbial quotient, BC450 and BC600 at 5 g.kg -1 application rate were higher than CK. Also BC450 at 10 g.kg -1 and 20 g.kg -1 application rates were not significantly different from CK. Other biochar treatments were as well lower than CK. These results suggested that application of biochar as soil organic amendment was an efficient way of increasing soil carbon reserve, changing soil organic carbon fraction and promoting soil productivity.
  • Authors:
    • Cockfield, G.
    • Maraseni, T. N.
  • Source: Agricultural Water Management
  • Volume: 103
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Irrigated cropping helps stabilise farm and regional income and contributes to productivity gains but the net benefits should include the full cost of water and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study examines the costs and returns of switching from a dryland rotation for four crops in the Darling Downs region of Australia, to a rotation of the same crops under irrigation, including greenhouse gas (GHG) values. The value chain, including all inputs was identified and emissions estimated using a range of studies and models. Over four year cropping cycle, the irrigated system would result in more than six times the emissions than from the dryland system. If GHG and water prices are not embedded in the production process, irrigation is more profitable per hectare. In this scenario, the landholder makes more than twice as much from the irrigated crops, with gross margins for the dryland and irrigated crop rotations of $1597 and $3490/ha, respectively. If the value of GHGs is included, the gap closes but irrigated crops are still more profitable. If however, a relatively high cost of the water, based on price ranges from the last decade, is included, then dryland crops are financially preferable. These results could be useful in designing national mitigation and water buy-back policies, both of which are being developed in Australia.