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Irrigation Scheduling with Soil Gas Diffusivity as a Decision Tool to Mitigate N 2 O Emissions from a Urine-Affected Pasture

Author

Listed:
  • Camille Rousset

    (Department of Soil and Physical Sciences, Lincoln University, P.O. Box 85084, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand)

  • Timothy J. Clough

    (Department of Soil and Physical Sciences, Lincoln University, P.O. Box 85084, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand)

  • Peter R. Grace

    (Institute for Future Environment, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia)

  • David W. Rowlings

    (Institute for Future Environment, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia)

  • Clemens Scheer

    (Institute for Future Environment, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia
    Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research Atmospheric Environmental Research (IMK-IFU), KIT-Campus Alpin, 82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany)

Abstract

Pastures require year-round access to water and in some locations rely on irrigation during dry periods. Currently, there is a dearth of knowledge about the potential for using irrigation to mitigate N 2 O emissions. This study aimed to mitigate N 2 O losses from intensely managed pastures by adjusting irrigation frequency using soil gas diffusivity ( D p /D o ) thresholds. Two irrigation regimes were compared; a standard irrigation treatment based on farmer practice (15 mm applied every 3 days) versus an optimised irrigation treatment where irrigation was applied when soil D p /D o was ≈0.033 (equivalent to 50% of plant available water). Cow urine was applied at a rate of 700 kg N ha −1 to simulate a ruminant urine deposition event. In addition to N 2 O fluxes, soil moisture content was monitored hourly, D p /D o was modelled, and pasture dry matter production was measured. Standard irrigation practices resulted in higher ( p = 0.09) cumulative N 2 O emissions than the optimised irrigation treatment. Pasture growth rates under treatments did not differ. Denitrification during re-wetting events (irrigation and rain) contributed to soil N 2 O emissions. These results warrant further modelling of irrigation management as a mitigation option for N 2 O emissions from pasture soils, based on D p /D o thresholds, rainfall, plant water demands and evapotranspiration.

Suggested Citation

  • Camille Rousset & Timothy J. Clough & Peter R. Grace & David W. Rowlings & Clemens Scheer, 2021. "Irrigation Scheduling with Soil Gas Diffusivity as a Decision Tool to Mitigate N 2 O Emissions from a Urine-Affected Pasture," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:11:y:2021:i:5:p:443-:d:553851
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vogeler, Iris & Thomas, Steve & van der Weerden, Tony, 2019. "Effect of irrigation management on pasture yield and nitrogen losses," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 216(C), pages 60-69.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuan Li & Gang Wang & Narasinha J. Shurpali & Yuying Shen, 2022. "Nitrogen Addition Affects Nitrous Oxide Emissions of Rainfed Lucerne Grassland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-13, June.

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