1
|
Xu B, Gui D, Peng H, Huang Y, Sha Z. Green manuring alters reactive N losses and N pools in arable soils: A meta-regression study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 934:173256. [PMID: 38763195 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Green manuring is a conservation agricultural practice that improves soil quality and crop yield. However, increasing the active nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) pools during green manure (GM) amendment may accelerate soil N transformation and stimulate N loss. Previous studies have reported the effects of cover crop incorporation on N2O emission; however, the driving mechanisms and other N losses remain unclear. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of 109 published articles (517 paired observations) to clarify the effects of GM amendment on soil reactive N (Nr) losses (N2O emissions, NH3 volatilization, and N leaching and runoff), N pools, and N cycling functional gene abundance. The results showed that green manuring increased soil microbial biomass N (MBN) and NO3--N concentrations and stimulated N2O emission but significantly lowered N leaching and yield-scaled NH3 volatilization. Practices of green manuring made a dominant contribution to the variation in N2O emissions and NH3 volatilization after GM application. Furthermore, applying legume-based GM, using N derived from GM (GMN) as an additional input, and short-term GM amendment each stimulated N2O emissions. In contrast, adopting non-legume GM, using GMN to partially substitute mineral N, and applying GM to the soil surface or paddy field mitigated NH3 loss during GM amendment. Additionally, the variation in NH3 volatilization was positively related to soil pH and N application rate (NAR) but had a negative relationship with mean annual precipitation (MAP). This study highlighted the marked effects of green manuring on soil N retention and loss. Agricultural operations that adopt GM amendment should select suitable GM species and optimize mineral N inputs to minimize N loss.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bing Xu
- Yunnan Provincial Field Scientific Observation and Research Station on Water-Soil-Crop System in Seasonal Arid Region, Faculty of Modern Agricultural Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Dongyang Gui
- Yunnan Provincial Field Scientific Observation and Research Station on Water-Soil-Crop System in Seasonal Arid Region, Faculty of Modern Agricultural Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Hongbo Peng
- Yunnan Provincial Field Scientific Observation and Research Station on Water-Soil-Crop System in Seasonal Arid Region, Faculty of Modern Agricultural Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China.
| | - Yukun Huang
- Yunnan Provincial Field Scientific Observation and Research Station on Water-Soil-Crop System in Seasonal Arid Region, Faculty of Modern Agricultural Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Zhipeng Sha
- Yunnan Provincial Field Scientific Observation and Research Station on Water-Soil-Crop System in Seasonal Arid Region, Faculty of Modern Agricultural Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gui D, Zhang Y, Lv J, Guo J, Sha Z. Effects of intercropping on soil greenhouse gas emissions - A global meta-analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 918:170632. [PMID: 38309333 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Diversified cropping systems, such as intercropping, have shown multifunctionality in agronomic productivity promotion, pest control, and soil health improvement. However, the intense interaction between crop species stimulates soil carbon and nitrogen turnover, and intercropping systems cause inexplicit effects on soil greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Therefore, a comprehensive meta-analysis using 52 published articles (531 paired observations) was conducted to elucidate the effects of intercropping on soil N2O, CO2, and CH4 emissions under different environmental conditions and field practices to identify the primary driving factors, such as climate, soil and field practices. The results showed that intercropping treatment had a non-significant impact on the three GHG emissions on average. However, using a cereal-legume intercropping regime, adopting moderate N application rate or intercropping in alkaline soils could significantly mitigate soil N2O emission. Additionally, intercropping in soils with high soil organic carbon reduce soil CH4 emission. On the contrary, increasing intercropping duration, or adopted in soils with moderate soil total N tended to stimulate CO2 emission. The mixed-effect model selection indicated that initial soil pH, MAP, MAT, tillage regime, and intercropping duration and type were significant moderators in regulating soil GHG emissions. Our findings explicitly elucidated soil GHG responses to intercropping practice. Further studies are warranted on the evaluation of long-term intercropping effects to improve the comprehensive understanding of C and N balance and global warming potential under intercropping.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongyang Gui
- Yunnan Provincial Field Scientific Observation and Research Station on Water-Soil-Crop System in Seasonal Arid Region, Faculty of Modern Agricultural Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Yuyang Zhang
- The National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of High Efficiency and Superior-Quality Cultivation and Fruit Deep Processing Technology on Characteristic Fruit Trees, College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China.
| | - Jiyang Lv
- Yunnan Provincial Field Scientific Observation and Research Station on Water-Soil-Crop System in Seasonal Arid Region, Faculty of Modern Agricultural Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Jiayi Guo
- Yunnan Provincial Field Scientific Observation and Research Station on Water-Soil-Crop System in Seasonal Arid Region, Faculty of Modern Agricultural Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Zhipeng Sha
- Yunnan Provincial Field Scientific Observation and Research Station on Water-Soil-Crop System in Seasonal Arid Region, Faculty of Modern Agricultural Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Cui N, Veresoglou S, Tian Y, Guo R, Zhang L, Jiang L, Kang F, Yuan W, Hou D, Shi L, Guo J, Sun M, Zhang T. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi offset NH 3 emissions in temperate meadow soil under simulated warming and nitrogen deposition. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 354:120239. [PMID: 38354607 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Most soil ammonia (NH3) emissions originate from soil nitrogen (N) that has been in the form of exchangeable ammonium. Emitted NH3 not only induces nutrient loss but also has adverse effects on the cycling of N and accelerates global warming. There is evidence that arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can alleviate N loss by reducing N2O emissions in N-limited ecosystems, however, some studies have also found that global changes, such as warming and N deposition, can affect the growth and development of AM fungi and alter their functionality. Up to now, the impact of AM fungi on NH3 emissions, and whether global changes reduce the AM fungi's contribution to NH3 emissions reduction, has remained unclear. In this study, we examined how warming, N addition, and AM fungi alter NH3 emissions from high pH saline soils typical of a temperate meadow through a controlled microscopic experiment. The results showed that warming significantly increased soil NH3 emissions, but N addition and combined warming plus N addition had no impact. Inoculations with AM fungi strongly reduced NH3 emissions both under warming and N addition, but AM fungi effects were more pronounced under warming than following N addition. Inoculation with AM fungi reduced soil NH4+-N content and soil pH, and increased plant N content and soil net N mineralization rate while increasing the abundance of ammonia-oxidizing bacterial (AOB) gene. Structural equation modeling (SEM) shows that the regulation of NH3 emissions by AM fungi may be related to soil NH4+-N content and soil pH. These findings highlight that AM fungi can reduce N loss in the form of NH3 by increasing N turnover and uptake under global changes; thus, AM fungi play a vital role in alleviating the aggravation of N loss caused by global changes and in mitigating environmental pollution in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nan Cui
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Stavros Veresoglou
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Yibo Tian
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Rui Guo
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Dryland Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Li Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Furong Kang
- Alashan Forestry and Grassland Bureau, Alashan 750306, China
| | - Weizhe Yuan
- Jilin Institute of Geological Sciences, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Dan Hou
- Jilin Institute of Geological Sciences, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Lianxuan Shi
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Jixun Guo
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Mingzhou Sun
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China.
| | - Tao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhang X, Gu L, Gui D, Xu B, Li R, Chen X, Sha Z, Pan X. Suitable biochar application practices simultaneously alleviate N 2O and NH 3 emissions from arable soils: A meta-analysis study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 242:117750. [PMID: 38029822 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) fertilization profoundly improves crop agronomic yield but triggers reactive N (Nr) loss into the environment. Nitrous (N2O) and ammonia (NH3) emissions are the main Nr species that affect climate change and eco-environmental health. Biochar is considered a promising soil amendment, and its efficacy on individual Nr gas emission reduction has been widely reported. However, the interactions and trade-offs between these two Nr species after biochar addition have not been comprehensively analysed. The influencing factors, such as biochar characteristics, environmental conditions, and management measures, remain uncertain. Therefore, 35 publications (145 paired observations) were selected for a meta-analysis to explore the simultaneous mitigation potential of biochar on N2O and NH3 emissions after its application on arable soil. The results showed that biochar application significantly reduced N2O emission by 7.09% while having no significant effect on NH3 volatilisation. Using biochar with a low pH, moderate BET, or pyrolyzed under moderate temperatures could jointly mitigate N2O and NH3 emissions. Additionally, applying biochar to soils with moderate soil organic carbon, high soil total nitrogen, or low cation exchange capacity showed similar responses. The machine-learning model suggested that biochar pH is a dominating moderator of its efficacy in mitigating N2O and NH3 emissions simultaneously. The findings of this study have major implications for biochar application management and aid the further realisation of the multifunctionality of biochar application in agriculture, which could boost agronomic production while lowering environmental costs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiayan Zhang
- Yunnan Provincial Field Scientific Observation and Research Station on Water-Soil-Crop System in Seasonal Arid Region, Faculty of Modern Agricultural Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Lipeng Gu
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China.
| | - Dongyang Gui
- Yunnan Provincial Field Scientific Observation and Research Station on Water-Soil-Crop System in Seasonal Arid Region, Faculty of Modern Agricultural Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Bing Xu
- Yunnan Provincial Field Scientific Observation and Research Station on Water-Soil-Crop System in Seasonal Arid Region, Faculty of Modern Agricultural Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Rui Li
- Yunnan Provincial Field Scientific Observation and Research Station on Water-Soil-Crop System in Seasonal Arid Region, Faculty of Modern Agricultural Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Xian Chen
- Yunnan Provincial Field Scientific Observation and Research Station on Water-Soil-Crop System in Seasonal Arid Region, Faculty of Modern Agricultural Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Zhipeng Sha
- Yunnan Provincial Field Scientific Observation and Research Station on Water-Soil-Crop System in Seasonal Arid Region, Faculty of Modern Agricultural Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China.
| | - Xuejun Pan
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Xu P, Li G, Zheng Y, Fung JCH, Chen A, Zeng Z, Shen H, Hu M, Mao J, Zheng Y, Cui X, Guo Z, Chen Y, Feng L, He S, Zhang X, Lau AKH, Tao S, Houlton BZ. Fertilizer management for global ammonia emission reduction. Nature 2024; 626:792-798. [PMID: 38297125 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07020-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Crop production is a large source of atmospheric ammonia (NH3), which poses risks to air quality, human health and ecosystems1-5. However, estimating global NH3 emissions from croplands is subject to uncertainties because of data limitations, thereby limiting the accurate identification of mitigation options and efficacy4,5. Here we develop a machine learning model for generating crop-specific and spatially explicit NH3 emission factors globally (5-arcmin resolution) based on a compiled dataset of field observations. We show that global NH3 emissions from rice, wheat and maize fields in 2018 were 4.3 ± 1.0 Tg N yr-1, lower than previous estimates that did not fully consider fertilizer management practices6-9. Furthermore, spatially optimizing fertilizer management, as guided by the machine learning model, has the potential to reduce the NH3 emissions by about 38% (1.6 ± 0.4 Tg N yr-1) without altering total fertilizer nitrogen inputs. Specifically, we estimate potential NH3 emissions reductions of 47% (44-56%) for rice, 27% (24-28%) for maize and 26% (20-28%) for wheat cultivation, respectively. Under future climate change scenarios, we estimate that NH3 emissions could increase by 4.0 ± 2.7% under SSP1-2.6 and 5.5 ± 5.7% under SSP5-8.5 by 2030-2060. However, targeted fertilizer management has the potential to mitigate these increases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peng Xu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Geng Li
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
- Division of Emerging Interdisciplinary Areas, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yi Zheng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Integrated Surface Water-Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
- Shenzhen Municipal Engineering Lab of Environmental IoT Technologies, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Jimmy C H Fung
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.
- Department of Mathematics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Anping Chen
- Department of Biology and Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Zhenzhong Zeng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Huizhong Shen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Min Hu
- State Joint Key Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiafu Mao
- Environmental Sciences Division and Climate Change Science Institute, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Yan Zheng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoqing Cui
- School of Grassland Science, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhilin Guo
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yilin Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lian Feng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shaokun He
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xuguo Zhang
- Department of Mathematics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Alexis K H Lau
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shu Tao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Benjamin Z Houlton
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Department of Global Development, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hurtado J, Velázquez E, Lassaletta L, Guardia G, Aguilera E, Sanz-Cobena A. Drivers of ammonia volatilization in Mediterranean climate cropping systems. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 341:122814. [PMID: 37898427 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia (NH3) volatilization is the major source of nitrogen (N) loss resulting from the application of synthetic and organic N fertilizers to croplands. It is well known that in Mediterranean cropping systems, there is a relationship between the intrinsic characteristics of the climate and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, but whether the same relation exists for NH3 emissions remains uncertain. Here, we estimated the impact of edaphoclimatic conditions (including meteorological conditions after N fertilization), crop management factors, and the measurement technique on both the cumulative emissions and the NH3 emission factor (EF) in Mediterranean climate zones, drawing on a database of 234 field treatments. We used a machine learning method, random forest (RF), to predict volatilization and ranked variables based on their importance in the prediction. Random forest had a good predictive power for the NH3 EF and cumulative emissions, with an R2 of 0.69 and 0.76, respectively. Nitrogen fertilization rate (N rate) was the top-ranked predictor variable, increasing NH3 emissions substantially when N rate was higher than 170 kg N ha-1. Soil pH was the most important edaphoclimatic variable, showing greater emissions (36.7 kg NH3 ha-1, EF = 19.3%) when pH was above 8.2. Crop type, fertilizer type, and N application method also affected NH3 emission patterns, while water management, mean precipitation, and soil texture were ranked low by the model. Our results show that intrinsic Mediterranean characteristics had only an indirect effect on NH3 emissions. For instance, relatively low N fertilization rates result in small NH3 emissions in rainfed areas, which occupy a very significant surface of Mediterranean agricultural land. Overall, N fertilization management is a key driver in reducing NH3 emissions, but additional field factors should be studied in future research to establish more robust abatement strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Hurtado
- CEIGRAM-Chemistry and Food Technology, ETSI Agronómicas, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Eduardo Velázquez
- Instituto Universitario de Gestión Forestal Sostenible, Universidad de Valladolid & INIA, 34004, Palencia, Spain; Escuela de Ingenierías Agrarias, Universidad de Valladolid, 34004, Palencia, Spain
| | - Luis Lassaletta
- CEIGRAM-Agricultural Production, ETSI Agronómicas, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Guillermo Guardia
- CEIGRAM-Chemistry and Food Technology, ETSI Agronómicas, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo Aguilera
- CEIGRAM-Chemistry and Food Technology, ETSI Agronómicas, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Sanz-Cobena
- CEIGRAM-Chemistry and Food Technology, ETSI Agronómicas, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, 28040, Madrid, Spain; Center for Landscape Research in Sustainable Agricultural Futures (Land-CRAFT), Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Liao B, Liao P, Hu R, Cai T, Zhang Y, Yu Q, Zhang B, Shu Y, Wang J, Luo Y, Cui Y. Mitigating ammonia volatilization in rice cultivation: The impact of partial organic fertilizer substitution. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 344:140326. [PMID: 37777091 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Optimizing water and nitrogen management to minimize NH3 volatilization from paddy fields has been extensively studied. However, there is limited research on the combined effect of different rates of organic fertilizer substitution (OFS) and irrigation methods in rice cultivation, exploring an effective water and nitrogen combination is beneficial to mitigate NH3 volatilization. To address this gap, we conducted a two-year field experiment to investigate NH3 volatilization under different OFS rates (0%, 25%, and 50%) combined with continuous flooding irrigation (CF) and alternate wet and dry irrigation (AWD). Our findings revealed that NH3 fluxes exhibited similar emission patterns after each fertilization event and significantly decreased with increasing rates of OFS during the basal stage. Compared to no substitution (ON0), the low (ON25) and high (ON50) rates of OFS reduced cumulative NH3 emissions by 18.9% and 16.6%, and lowed NH3 emission factors (EFs) by 26.7% and 23.3%, respectively. Although OFS resulted in a slight reduction in rice yield, yield-scaled NH3 emissions were significantly reduced by 11.9% and 6.5% under the low and high substitution rates, respectively. This reduction was mainly attributed to the slight yield reduction observed at the low substitution rate. Furthermore, when combined with ON0, AWD irrigation had the potential to increase NH3 volatilization. However, this increase was not observed when combined with ON25 and ON50. During each fertilization stage, floodwater + concentration emerged as the prominent environmental factor influencing NH3 volatilization, showing a stronger and more positive correlation compared to other factors such as floodwater pH, soil pH, and NH4+ concentration. Based on our findings, we recommend implementing effective water and nitrogen management strategies to minimize NH3 volatilization in rice cultivation. This involves applying a lower rate of organic fertilizer substitution during the basal stage, maintaining high water levels during fertilization, and implementing mild AWD irrigation during non-fertilization periods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bin Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China.
| | - Ping Liao
- Research Institute of Rice Industrial Engineering Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Ronggui Hu
- Key Laboratory of Arable Land Conservation (Middle and Lower Reaches of Yangtze River) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Tianchi Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Yuting Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Qian Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Bochao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Yonghong Shu
- State Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Jiaer Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Yufeng Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Yuanlai Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kang J, Wang J, Heal MR, Goulding K, de Vries W, Zhao Y, Feng S, Zhang X, Gu B, Niu X, Zhang H, Liu X, Cui Z, Zhang F, Xu W. Ammonia mitigation campaign with smallholder farmers improves air quality while ensuring high cereal production. NATURE FOOD 2023; 4:751-761. [PMID: 37653045 DOI: 10.1038/s43016-023-00833-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Reducing cropland ammonia (NH3) emissions while improving air quality and food supply is a challenge, particularly in China where there are millions of smallholder farmers. We tested the effectiveness of a tailored nitrogen (N) management strategy applied to wheat-maize cropping systems in 'demonstration squares' across Quzhou County in the North China Plain. The N-management techniques included optimal N rates, deep fertilizer placement and application of urease inhibitors, implemented through cooperation between government, researchers, businesses and smallholders. Compared with conventional local smallholder practice, our NH3 mitigation campaign reduced NH3 volatilization from wheat and maize by 49% and 39%, and increased N-use efficiency by 28% and 40% and farmers' profitability by 25% and 19%, respectively, with no detriment to crop yields. County-wide atmospheric NH3 and fine particulate matter (with aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm) concentrations decreased by 40% and 8%, respectively. County-wide net benefits were estimated at US$7.0 million. Our demonstration-square approach shows that cropland NH3 mitigation and improved air quality and farm profitability can be achieved simultaneously by coordinated actions at the county level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, National Observation and Research Station of Agriculture Green Development (Quzhou, Hebei), China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jingxia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, National Observation and Research Station of Agriculture Green Development (Quzhou, Hebei), China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Mathew R Heal
- School of Chemistry, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Keith Goulding
- Sustainable Soils and Crops, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK
| | - Wim de Vries
- Environmental Systems Analysis Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Yuanhong Zhao
- College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Sijie Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, National Observation and Research Station of Agriculture Green Development (Quzhou, Hebei), China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiuming Zhang
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Baojing Gu
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinsheng Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, National Observation and Research Station of Agriculture Green Development (Quzhou, Hebei), China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongyan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, National Observation and Research Station of Agriculture Green Development (Quzhou, Hebei), China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuejun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, National Observation and Research Station of Agriculture Green Development (Quzhou, Hebei), China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhenling Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, National Observation and Research Station of Agriculture Green Development (Quzhou, Hebei), China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Fusuo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, National Observation and Research Station of Agriculture Green Development (Quzhou, Hebei), China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Wen Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, National Observation and Research Station of Agriculture Green Development (Quzhou, Hebei), China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Gao H, Liu Q, Yan C, Wu Q, Gong D, He W, Liu H, Wang J, Mei X. Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and improved yield by plastic mulching in rice production. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 880:162984. [PMID: 36963692 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Soil mulching technologies are effective practices which alleviate non-point source pollution and carbon emissions, while ensuring grain production security and increasing water productivity. However, the lack of comprehensive understanding of the impacts of mulching technologies on rice fields has hindered progress in global implementation due to the varying environments and application conditions under which they are implemented. This study conducted a meta-analysis based on 2412 groups of field experiment data from 313 studies to evaluate the effects of soil mulching methods on rice production, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and water use efficiency. The results show that plastic mulching, straw mulching and no mulching (PM, SM and NM) have reduced CH4 emissions (68.8 %, 61.4 % and 57.2 %), increased N2O emissions (84.8 %, 89.1 % and 96.6 %), reduced global warming potentials (50.7 %, 47.5 % and 46.8 %) and improved water use efficiency (50.2 %, 40.9 % and 34.0 %) compared with continuous flooding irrigation. However, PM increased rice yield (1.6 %), while SM and NM decreased yield (4.3 % and 9.2 %). Furthermore, analysis using random forest models revealed that rice yield, GHG emissions and WUE response to soil mulching were related to climate, soil properties, fertilizer and rice varieties. Our findings can guide the implementation of plastic mulching technology in priority areas, contribute to agricultural carbon neutrality and support the development of practical guidelines for farmers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haihe Gao
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, PR China; Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Residual Pollution in Agricultural Film, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, PR China.
| | - Qin Liu
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, PR China; Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Residual Pollution in Agricultural Film, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, PR China.
| | - Changrong Yan
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, PR China; Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Residual Pollution in Agricultural Film, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, PR China.
| | - Qiu Wu
- College of Agronomy, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China.
| | - Daozhi Gong
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, PR China; Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Residual Pollution in Agricultural Film, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, PR China.
| | - Wenqing He
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, PR China; Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Residual Pollution in Agricultural Film, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, PR China.
| | - Hongjin Liu
- Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Ecology and Resource Protection Center of Inner Mongolia, Hohhot 010010, PR China
| | - Jinling Wang
- Development Center of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Science and Technology of Jalaid, Inner Mongolia 137600, PR China
| | - Xurong Mei
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Sha Z, Ma X, Liu H, Wang J, Lv T, Goulding K, Liu X. Crop-specific ammonia volatilization rates and key influencing factors in the upland of China - A data synthesis. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 336:117676. [PMID: 36967697 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia (NH3) is an important alkaline reactive nitrogen (Nr) species which is involved in global nitrogen (N) biogeochemical cycling, but which has negative impacts on the environment and human health. In order to better understand and control the NH3 loss potential in soil-upland crop systems in China, an integrated data analysis including 1302 observations from 236 published articles between 1980 and 2021 was conducted. The typical NH3 volatilization rate (AVR) and the main factors influencing AVR in the major Chinese upland crops (maize, wheat, openfield vegetables and greenhouse vegetables and others) were estimated and analyzed. The mean AVR for maize, wheat, openfield vegetables and greenhouse vegetables were 7.8%, 5.3%, 8.4% and 1.8%. The most important influencing factors were fertilizer placement, meteorological conditions (especially temperature and rainfall) and soil properties (especially SOM). Subsurface N application produced a significantly lower AVR compared to surface application. High N recovery efficiency and N agronomic efficiency were generally associated with low AVRs. In conclusion, high N application rates, inefficient application methods and the use of loss-prone N fertilizer types are the main factors responsible for high AVRs in major Chinese croplands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhipeng Sha
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, Key Laboratory of Soil-Plant Interactions of MOE, College of Resources & Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; Faculty of Modern Agricultural Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, 650500 Kunming, China
| | - Xin Ma
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, Key Laboratory of Soil-Plant Interactions of MOE, College of Resources & Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Hejing Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, Key Laboratory of Soil-Plant Interactions of MOE, College of Resources & Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jingxia Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, Key Laboratory of Soil-Plant Interactions of MOE, College of Resources & Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Tiantian Lv
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, Key Laboratory of Soil-Plant Interactions of MOE, College of Resources & Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Keith Goulding
- Sustainable Soils and Crops, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - Xuejun Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, Key Laboratory of Soil-Plant Interactions of MOE, College of Resources & Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Wang Y, Yao Z, Wang Y, Yan G, Janz B, Wang X, Zhan Y, Wang R, Zheng X, Zhou M, Zhu B, Kiese R, Wolf B, Butterbach-Bahl K. Characteristics of annual NH 3 emissions from a conventional vegetable field under various nitrogen management strategies. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 342:118276. [PMID: 37276627 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
High N-fertilizer applications to conventional vegetable production systems are associated with substantial emissions of NH3, a key substance that triggers haze pollution and ecosystem eutrophication and thus, causing considerable damage to human and ecosystem health. While N fertilization effects on NH3 volatilization from cereal crops have been relatively well studied, little is known about the magnitude and yield-scaled emissions of NH3 from vegetable systems. Here we report on a 2-year field study investigating the effect of various types and rates of fertilizer application on NH3 emissions and crop yields for a pepper-lettuce-cabbage rotation system in southwest China. Our results show that both NH3 emissions and direct emission factors of applied N varied largely across seasons over the 2-year period, highlighting the importance of measurements spanning entire cropping years. Across all treatments varying from solely applying urea fertilizers to only using organic manures, annual NH3 emissions ranged from 0.64 to 92.4 kg N ha-1 yr-1 (or 0.07-6.84 g N kg-1 dry matter), equivalent to 0.05-5.99% of the applied N. At annual scale, NH3 emissions correlated positively with soil δ15N values, indicating that soil δ15N may be used as an indicator for NH3 losses. NH3 emissions from treatments fertilized partially or fully with manure were significantly lower compared with the urea fertilized treatment, while vegetable yields remained unaffected. Moreover, full substitution of urea by manure as compared to the partial substitution further reduced the yield-scaled annual NH3 emissions by 79.0-92.4%. Across all vegetable seasons, there is a significant negative relationship between yield-scaled NH3 emissions and crop N use efficiency. Overall, our results suggest that substituting urea by manure and reducing total N inputs by 30-50% allows to reduce NH3 emissions without jeopardizing yields. Such a change in management provides a feasible option to achieve environmental sustainability and food security in conventional vegetable systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Physics and Atmospheric Chemistry, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, PR China; College of Earth and Planetary Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Zhisheng Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Physics and Atmospheric Chemistry, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, PR China; College of Earth and Planetary Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China.
| | - Yanqiang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Mountain Surface Processes and Ecological Regulation, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Guangxuan Yan
- Key Laboratory for Yellow River and Huai River Water Environment and Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, School of Environment, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007, PR China
| | - Baldur Janz
- Institute for Meteorology and Climate Research, Atmospheric Environmental Research, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, 82467, Germany
| | - Xiaogang Wang
- Sichuan Institute of Nuclear Geological Survey, Chengdu, 610061, PR China
| | - Yang Zhan
- State Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Physics and Atmospheric Chemistry, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, PR China; College of Earth and Planetary Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Rui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Physics and Atmospheric Chemistry, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, PR China
| | - Xunhua Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Physics and Atmospheric Chemistry, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, PR China; College of Earth and Planetary Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Minghua Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Mountain Surface Processes and Ecological Regulation, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Bo Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Mountain Surface Processes and Ecological Regulation, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Ralf Kiese
- Institute for Meteorology and Climate Research, Atmospheric Environmental Research, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, 82467, Germany
| | - Benjamin Wolf
- Institute for Meteorology and Climate Research, Atmospheric Environmental Research, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, 82467, Germany
| | - Klaus Butterbach-Bahl
- State Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Physics and Atmospheric Chemistry, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, PR China; Institute for Meteorology and Climate Research, Atmospheric Environmental Research, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, 82467, Germany; Pioneer Center Land-CRAFT, Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Wang Y, Wen Y, Zhang S, Zheng G, Zheng H, Chang X, Huang C, Wang S, Wu Y, Hao J. Vehicular Ammonia Emissions Significantly Contribute to Urban PM 2.5 Pollution in Two Chinese Megacities. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:2698-2705. [PMID: 36700651 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c06198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia (NH3) plays a vital role in the formation of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Prior studies have primarily focused on the control of agricultural NH3 emissions, the dominant source of anthropogenic NH3 emissions. The air quality impact from vehicular NH3 emissions, which could be particularly important in urban areas, has not been adequately evaluated. We developed high-resolution vehicular NH3 emission inventories for Beijing and Shanghai based on detailed link-level traffic profiles and conducted atmospheric simulations of ambient PM2.5 concentrations contributed by vehicular NH3 emissions. We found that vehicular NH3 emissions shared high proportions among total anthropogenic NH3 emissions in the urban areas of Beijing (86%) and Shanghai (45%), where vehicular NH3 was primarily emitted by gasoline vehicles. Local vehicular NH3 emissions could be responsible for approximately 3% of urban PM2.5 concentrations during wintertime, and the contributions could be much higher during polluted periods (∼3 μg m-3). We also showed that controlling vehicular NH3 emissions will be effective and feasible to alleviate urban PM2.5 pollution for megacities in the near future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yunjie Wang
- School of Environment, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
| | - Yifan Wen
- School of Environment, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
| | - Shaojun Zhang
- School of Environment, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Sources and Control of Air Pollution Complex, Beijing100084, China
- Beijing Laboratory of Environmental Frontier Technologies, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
| | - Guangjie Zheng
- Minerva Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz55128, Germany
| | - Haotian Zheng
- School of Environment, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
| | - Xing Chang
- School of Environment, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
| | - Cheng Huang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Formation and Prevention of Urban Air Pollution Complex, Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai200233, China
| | - Shuxiao Wang
- School of Environment, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Sources and Control of Air Pollution Complex, Beijing100084, China
| | - Ye Wu
- School of Environment, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Sources and Control of Air Pollution Complex, Beijing100084, China
- Beijing Laboratory of Environmental Frontier Technologies, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
| | - Jiming Hao
- School of Environment, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Sources and Control of Air Pollution Complex, Beijing100084, China
- Beijing Laboratory of Environmental Frontier Technologies, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Cai S, Zhao X, Liu X, Yan X. Nitrogen management to minimize yield-scaled ammonia emission from paddy rice in the Middle and Lower Yangtze River Basin: A meta-analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 318:120854. [PMID: 36509351 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Paddy fields in China contributed to one third of the global cropland ammonia (NH3) emission inventory, while rice accounted for half of cereal consumption, necessitating exhaustive considerations of the balance between NH3 emissions abatement and food demand. The concept of yield-scaled emission intensity (emissions per unit crop production) has the potential to guide sustainable intensification strategies, yet its application to NH3 emissions remains poorly understood. Here, by constructing novel crop-specific models for single rice production and NH3 emissions in the Middle and Lower Yangtze River Basin (LYRB) as a case study, the relationships between fertilizer N application and yield-scaled NH3 were estimated. Contrary to our hypothesis of a tipping point, our results showed that yield-scaled NH3 curves could not directly identify optimal nitrogen (N) rates. However, the benefit of lower N fertilizer rate on NH3 abatement consistently outweighed the risk of yield loss. The exponential relationships between yield-scaled NH3 and N surplus allowed us to estimate the N surplus criterion as 15.6 kg N ha-1 (or 190 kg N ha-1 fertilizer N rate) for the LYRB. Under the N surplus criterion, NH3 emissions can be reduced by 23-27% without severely impacting rice yield, compared to the N rate required for the highest yield. Moreover, five major controlling factors for yield-scaled NH3 were estimated by random forest models, ranked in order of importance as N rate, total N, K rate, mean annual precipitation, and soil organic carbon. Among the agricultural practices (irrigation, tillage, and fertilizer management), deep placement was the most effective measure to reduce yield-scaled NH3, showing 48% reduction potential, followed by proper N splitting frequency (43%). Overall, this study highlights the efficacy of N application optimization and targeted farm management in mitigating NH3 emission while maintaining crop productivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Changshu National Agro-Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Changshu National Agro-Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.
| | - Xuejun Liu
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xiaoyuan Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Changshu National Agro-Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wang J, Sha Z, Zhang J, Kang J, Xu W, Goulding K, Liu X. Reactive N emissions from cropland and their mitigation in the North China Plain. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 214:114015. [PMID: 35944622 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Excessive application of chemical nitrogen (N) fertilizer and inefficient N management are still common in the North China Plain, leading to large reactive N (Nr) losses and pollution, threatening environmental security and public health. Three improved N management practices (33% reduction in N applied (OU), OU combined with partial organic fertilizer substitution (UOM) and the urea in UOM amended with a urease inhibitor (ULOM)) together with no N application (CK) and farmers' conventional practice (CU) were tested on a maize-wheat rotation at Quzhou, Hebei, North China Plain (NCP). Nr emissions were related to WFPS (Water Filled Pore Space), soil mineral N (NH4+-N and NO3--N) and soil temperature. Nr emissions and yield-scaled Nr emissions were significantly reduced by partial substitution of organic fertilizer for chemical fertilizer: NH3 emissions were reduced by 55.8-62.4%. Using a urease inhibitor (Limus®), further reduced NH3 emissions by 40.2-64.5%. Yield-scaled NH3 emissions were, on average, reduced by 60.0% and 55.2% in the maize and wheat growing season, respectively, relative to the UOM treatment. Long-term application of organic fertilizer had a significant positive effect on N use efficiency (NUE). Overall, the study shows that appropriated N management such as reducing the N application rate, partial substitution of chemical N by organic N and using a urease inhibitor can reduce Nr emissions and promote NUE in the North China Plain. The methods corresponding to the ULOM and UOM treatments were the most and second most effective, respectively, with high net economic benefits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingxia Wang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, China
| | - Zhipeng Sha
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, China; Faculty of Modern Agricultural Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, 650500, Kunming, China
| | - Jinrui Zhang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, China
| | - Jiahui Kang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, China
| | - Wen Xu
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, China
| | - Keith Goulding
- Sustainable Agricultural Sciences Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - Xuejun Liu
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Li Z, Chen Y, Meng F, Shao Q, Heal MR, Ren F, Tang A, Wu J, Liu X, Cui Z, Xu W. Integrating life cycle assessment and a farmer survey of management practices to study environmental impacts of peach production in Beijing, China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:57190-57203. [PMID: 35344146 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19780-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
While intensive peach production has expanded rapidly in recent years, few studies have explored the environmental impacts associated with specific regional systems or the optimal management strategies to minimize associated environmental risks. Here, data from a survey of 290 native farmers were used to conduct a life cycle assessment to quantify the acidification potential (AP), global warming potential (GWP), eutrophication potential (EP), and reactive nitrogen (Nr) losses in peach production in Pinggu District, Beijing. Total annual Nr losses, and GWP, AP, and EP values for peach production in Pinggu District were respectively 10.7 kg N t-1, 857 kg CO2-eq t-1, 12.9 kg SO2-eq t-1, and 4.1 kg PO4-eq t-1. The principal driving factors were fertilizer production, transportation, and application, which together accounted for 94%, 67%, 75%, and 94% of Nr losses, GWP, AP, and EP, respectively. In the high yield, high nitrogen-use efficiency (HH) group, relative values of Nr losses, GWP, AP, and EP were respectively 33%, 25%, 39%, and 32% lower than the overall averages for 290 orchards. Further analyses indicate that improved farming practices such as decreasing application rates of fertilizers, increasing proportion of base fertilization rate, and proper fertilization frequency in the HH group were the main reasons for these orchards' better performance in peach yields and partial factor productivity of nitrogen fertilizer, and their reduced environmental impacts. These results highlight the need to optimize nutrient management in peach production in order simultaneously to realize both environmental sustainability and high productivity in the peach production system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ziyue Li
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, National Observation and Research Station of Agriculture Green Development (Quzhou, Hebei), China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yongliang Chen
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, National Observation and Research Station of Agriculture Green Development (Quzhou, Hebei), China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Fanlei Meng
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, National Observation and Research Station of Agriculture Green Development (Quzhou, Hebei), China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Qi Shao
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, National Observation and Research Station of Agriculture Green Development (Quzhou, Hebei), China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Mathew R Heal
- School of Chemistry, The University of Edinburgh, Joseph Black Building, David Brewster Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FJ, UK
| | - Fengling Ren
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, National Observation and Research Station of Agriculture Green Development (Quzhou, Hebei), China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Aohan Tang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, National Observation and Research Station of Agriculture Green Development (Quzhou, Hebei), China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jiechen Wu
- Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering (SEED), KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Xuejun Liu
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, National Observation and Research Station of Agriculture Green Development (Quzhou, Hebei), China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zhenling Cui
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, National Observation and Research Station of Agriculture Green Development (Quzhou, Hebei), China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Wen Xu
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, National Observation and Research Station of Agriculture Green Development (Quzhou, Hebei), China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Zhang C, Song X, Zhang Y, Wang D, Rees RM, Ju X. Using nitrification inhibitors and deep placement to tackle the trade-offs between NH 3 and N 2 O emissions in global croplands. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:4409-4422. [PMID: 35429205 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia (NH3 ) and nitrous oxide (N2 O) are two important air pollutants that have major impacts on climate change and biodiversity losses. Agriculture represents their largest source and effective mitigation measures of individual gases have been well studied. However, the interactions and trade-offs between NH3 and N2 O emissions remain uncertain. Here, we report the results of a two-year field experiment in a wheat-maize rotation in the North China Plain (NCP), a global hotspot of reactive N emissions. Our analysis is supported by a literature synthesis of global croplands, to understand the interactions between NH3 and N2 O emissions and to develop the most effective approaches to jointly mitigate NH3 and N2 O emissions. Field results indicated that deep placement of urea with nitrification inhibitors (NIs) reduced both emissions of NH3 by 67% to 90% and N2 O by 73% to 100%, respectively, in comparison with surface broadcast urea which is the common farmers' practice. But, deep placement of urea, surface broadcast urea with NIs, and application of urea with urease inhibitors probably led to trade-offs between the two gases, with a mitigation potential of -201% to 101% for NH3 and -112% to 89% for N2 O. The literature synthesis showed that deep placement of urea with NIs had an emission factor of 1.53%-4.02% for NH3 and 0.22%-0.36% for N2 O, which were much lower than other fertilization regimes and the default values recommended by IPCC guidelines. This would translate to a reduction of 3.86-5.47 Tg N yr-1 of NH3 and 0.41-0.50 Tg N yr-1 of N2 O emissions, respectively, when adopting deep placement of urea with NIs (relative to current practice) in global croplands. We conclude that the combination of NIs and deep placement of urea can successfully tackle the trade-offs between NH3 and N2 O emissions, therefore avoiding N pollution swapping in global croplands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chong Zhang
- College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Xiaotong Song
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yaqian Zhang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Wang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | | | - Xiaotang Ju
- College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Xu P, Li G, Houlton BZ, Ma L, Ai D, Zhu L, Luan B, Zhai S, Hu S, Chen A, Zheng Y. Role of Organic and Conservation Agriculture in Ammonia Emissions and Crop Productivity in China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:2977-2989. [PMID: 35147421 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c07518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
There is an increasing food demand with growing population and limited land for agriculture. Conventional agriculture with nitrogen (N) fertilizer applications, however, is a key source of ammonia (NH3) emissions that cause severe haze pollution and impair human health. Organic and conservation agricultural (OCA) practices are thereby recommended to address these dual challenges; however, whether OCA provides cobenefits for both air quality and crop productivity is controversial. Here, we perform a meta-analysis and machine learning algorithm with data from China, a global hotspot for agricultural NH3 emissions, to quantify the effects of OCA on NH3 emissions, crop yields and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). We find that the effects of OCA depend on soil and climate conditions, and the 40-60% substitution of synthetic fertilizers with livestock manure achieves the maximum cobenefits of enhanced crop production and reduced NH3 emissions. Model forecasts further suggest that the appropriate application of livestock manure, straw return, and no-till could increase grain production up to 59.7 million metric tons (100% of straw return) and reduce maximum US$2.7 billion (60% substitution with livestock manure) in damage costs to human health from NH3 emissions by 2030. Our findings provide data-driven pathways and options for achieving multiple sustainable development goals and improving food systems and air quality in China.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peng Xu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Geng Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science, Function Hub, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, Guangdong 511458, China
| | - Benjamin Z Houlton
- Department of Global Development and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, New York City, New York, 14853, United States
| | - Lin Ma
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Hebei Key Laboratory of Soil Ecology, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050021, China
| | - Dong Ai
- 7518College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Lei Zhu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Bo Luan
- Peking University Shenzhen Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518057, China
| | - Shengqiang Zhai
- Peking University Shenzhen Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518057, China
| | - Shiyao Hu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Anping Chen
- Department of Biology and Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
| | - Yi Zheng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Integrated Surface Water-Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
- Shenzhen Municipal Engineering Lab of Environmental IoT Technologies, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Bai Z, Fan X, Jin X, Zhao Z, Wu Y, Oenema O, Velthof G, Hu C, Ma L. Relocate 10 billion livestock to reduce harmful nitrogen pollution exposure for 90% of China's population. NATURE FOOD 2022; 3:152-160. [PMID: 37117957 DOI: 10.1038/s43016-021-00453-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Livestock production in China is increasingly located near urban areas, exposing human populations to nitrogen pollution via air and water. Here we analyse livestock and human population data across 2,300 Chinese counties to project the impact of alternative livestock distributions on nitrogen emissions. In 2012 almost half of China's livestock production occurred in peri-urban regions, exposing 60% of the Chinese population to ammonia emissions exceeding UN guidelines. Relocating 5 billion animals by 2050 according to crop-livestock integration criteria could reduce nitrogen emissions by two-thirds and halve the number of people exposed to high ammonia emissions. Relocating 10 billion animals away from southern and eastern China could reduce ammonia exposure for 90% of China's population. Spatial planning can therefore serve as a powerful policy instrument to tackle nitrogen pollution and exposure of humans to ammonia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohai Bai
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Hebei Key Laboratory of Soil Ecology, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, China.
- Wageningen University, Soil Quality Group, Wageningen, Netherlands.
- Xiongan Institute of Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Xiangwen Fan
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Hebei Key Laboratory of Soil Ecology, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xinpeng Jin
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Hebei Key Laboratory of Soil Ecology, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Zhanqing Zhao
- School of Land Science and Space Planning, Hebei GEO University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yan Wu
- Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Oene Oenema
- Wageningen University, Soil Quality Group, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Gerard Velthof
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Chunsheng Hu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Hebei Key Laboratory of Soil Ecology, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Lin Ma
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Hebei Key Laboratory of Soil Ecology, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, China.
| |
Collapse
|