Please wait a minute...
Journal of Integrative Agriculture  2012, Vol. 12 Issue (12): 2067-2078    DOI: 10.1016/S1671-2927(00)8745
SOIL & FERTILIZER · AGRI-ECOLOGY & ENVIRONMENT Advanced Online Publication | Current Issue | Archive | Adv Search |
Estimates of N2O Emissions and Mitigation Potential from a Spring Maize Field Based on DNDC Model
 LI Hu, QIU Jian-jun, WANG Li-gang, XU Ming-yi, LIU Zhi-qiang, WANG Wei
1.Key Laboratory of Non-Point Source Pollution Control, Ministry of Agriculture/CAAS-UNH Joint Laboratory for Sustainable Agro-
Ecosystems Research/Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing
100081, P.R.China
2.Dalian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Dalian 116036, P.R.China
Download:  PDF in ScienceDirect  
Export:  BibTeX | EndNote (RIS)      
摘要  Agricultural production plays an important role in affecting atmospheric nitrous oxide (N2O) concentrations. Field measurements were conducted in Dalian City, Liaoning Province in Northeast China from two consecutive years (2009 and 2010) to estimate N2O emissions from a spring maize field, a main cropping system across the Chinese agricultural regions. The observed flux data in conjunction with the local climate, soil and management information were utilized to test a process-based model, DeNitrification-DeComposition (DNDC), for its applicability for the cropping system. The validated DNDC was then used for exploring strategies to reduce N2O emissions from the target field. The results showed that the major N2O pulse emissions occurred with duration of about 3-5 d after fertilizer application in both years 2009 and 2010, which on average accounted for about 60% of the total N2O emissions each year. Rainfall and fertilizer application were the major factors influencing the N2O emissions from spring maize field. The average N2O fluxes from the CK (control plot, without fertilization) and FP (traditional chemical N fertilizer) treatments were 23.1 and 60.6 μg m-2 h-1 in 2009, respectively, and 21.5 and 64.3 μg m-2 h-1 in 2010, respectively. The emission factors (EFs) of the applied N fertilizer (270 kg N ha-1) as N2ON were 0.62% in 2009 and 0.77% in 2010, respectively. The comparison of modeled daily N2O emission fluxes against observations indicated that the DNDC model had a good performance even if without adjusting the internal parameters. The modeled results showed that management practices such as no-till, changing timing or rate of fertilizer application, increasing residue incorporation, and other technically applicable measures could effectively reduce N2O emissions from the tested fields. Our study indicated that avoiding application of N fertilizers at heavy rainfall events or splitting the fertilizer into more applications would be the most feasible approaches to reduce N2O emissions from spring maize production in Northeast China.

Abstract  Agricultural production plays an important role in affecting atmospheric nitrous oxide (N2O) concentrations. Field measurements were conducted in Dalian City, Liaoning Province in Northeast China from two consecutive years (2009 and 2010) to estimate N2O emissions from a spring maize field, a main cropping system across the Chinese agricultural regions. The observed flux data in conjunction with the local climate, soil and management information were utilized to test a process-based model, DeNitrification-DeComposition (DNDC), for its applicability for the cropping system. The validated DNDC was then used for exploring strategies to reduce N2O emissions from the target field. The results showed that the major N2O pulse emissions occurred with duration of about 3-5 d after fertilizer application in both years 2009 and 2010, which on average accounted for about 60% of the total N2O emissions each year. Rainfall and fertilizer application were the major factors influencing the N2O emissions from spring maize field. The average N2O fluxes from the CK (control plot, without fertilization) and FP (traditional chemical N fertilizer) treatments were 23.1 and 60.6 μg m-2 h-1 in 2009, respectively, and 21.5 and 64.3 μg m-2 h-1 in 2010, respectively. The emission factors (EFs) of the applied N fertilizer (270 kg N ha-1) as N2ON were 0.62% in 2009 and 0.77% in 2010, respectively. The comparison of modeled daily N2O emission fluxes against observations indicated that the DNDC model had a good performance even if without adjusting the internal parameters. The modeled results showed that management practices such as no-till, changing timing or rate of fertilizer application, increasing residue incorporation, and other technically applicable measures could effectively reduce N2O emissions from the tested fields. Our study indicated that avoiding application of N fertilizers at heavy rainfall events or splitting the fertilizer into more applications would be the most feasible approaches to reduce N2O emissions from spring maize production in Northeast China.
Keywords:  spring maize      N2O      DNDC      mitigation measures      Northeast China  
Received: 16 June 2012   Accepted:
Fund: 

The study was funded by the Special Fund for Agriculture- Scientific Non-Profit Research, China (201103039), the National Basic Research Program of China (2012CB417104), as well as by the Basic R & D Operations Special Fund for the Central Level Non-Profit Research Institute of China (2012-35).

Corresponding Authors:  Correspondence QIU Jian-jun, Tel: +86-10-82106231, E-mail: qiujj@caas.net.cn     E-mail:  qiujj@caas.net.cn

Cite this article: 

LI Hu, QIU Jian-jun, WANG Li-gang, XU Ming-yi, LIU Zhi-qiang, WANG Wei. 2012. Estimates of N2O Emissions and Mitigation Potential from a Spring Maize Field Based on DNDC Model. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 12(12): 2067-2078.

[1]Beare M H, Gregorich E G, St-Georges P. 2009. Compactioneffects on CO2 and N2O production during drying andrewetting of soil. Soil Biology Biochemistry, 41, 611-621.

[2]Bouwman A F, van der Hoek K W, Olivier J G J. 1995.Uncertainties in the global source distribution of nitrousoxide. Journal of Geophysical Research, 100, 2785-2800.

[3]National Statistics Bureau of the People’s Republic ofChina. 2011. China Statistics Yearbook. China StatisticsPress, Beijing. (in Chinese)Debnath G, Jain M C, Kumar S, Sarkar K, Sinha S K. 1996.Methane emissions from rice fields amended with biogasslurry and farm yard manure. Climate Change, 33, 97-109.

[4]Ding W, Cai Y, Cai Z, Yagi K, Zheng X. 2007. Nitrous oxideemissions from an intensively cultivated maize-wheatrotation soil in the North China Plain. Science of TotalEnvironment, 373, 501-511.

[5]FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization). 2010. FAOSTATdatabase collections. FAO, Rome. [2010-07-02]. http://www.apps.fao.org

[6]Gao C Y, Wang L G, Li H, Qiu J J. 2011. Advances andprospects of N2O emission from cropland at regionalscale. Scientia Agricultura Sinica, 44, 316-324.

[7](inChinese)Hu X K, Huang B X, Su F, Ju X T, Jiang R F, Zhang F S.2011. Effects of nitrogen management on methane andnitrous oxide emissions from summer maize soil in NorthChina Plain. Scientia Sinica (Chimica), 41, 117-128. (in Chinese)

[8]Huang G H, Chen G X, Han B. 1999. Relationships betweensoil water content and N2O production. Chinese Journalof Applied Ecology, 10, 53-56. (in Chinese)

[9]Huang Y, Tang Y H. 2010. An estimate of greenhouse gasmitigation potential under various scenarios of nitrogenuse efficiency in Chinese croplands. Global ChangeBiology, 16, 2958-2970.

[10]IFA (International Fertilizer Industry Association). 2009.Fertilizer use by crop. [2009-04-10]. http://www.fertilizer.org/ifa/Home-Page/STATISTICS/FUBCIPCC. 2006. Agriculture, forestry and other land use, vol. 4.In: Eggleston

[11]H S, Buendia L, Miwa K, Ngara T, TanabeK, eds., 2006 IPCC Guidelines for NationalGreenhouse Gas Inventories. Prepared by the NationalGreenhouse Gas Inventories Programme, IGES, Japan.IPCC. 2007. Summary for policymakers. In: Parry M L,Canziani O F, Palutikof J P, van der Linden P J, HansonC E, eds., Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptationand Vulnerability. Cambridge University Press,Cambridge. pp. 7-22.

[12]Ju X T, Lu X, Gao Z L, Chen X P, Su F, Martin K, Volker R,Christie P, Zhang F S. 2011. Processes and factorscontrolling N2O production in an intensively managedlow carbon calcareous soil under sub-humid monsoonconditions. Environmental Pollution, 159, 1007-1016.

[13]Li C. 2007. Quantifying greenhouse gas emissions fromsoils: Scientific basis and modeling approach. SoilScience and Plant Nutrition, 53, 344-352.

[14]Li C, Frolking S E, Graham J. 1997. Simulating trends in soilorganic carbon in longterm experiments using the DNDCmodel. Geoderma, 81, 45-60.

[15]Li C, Frolking S E, Harris R C, Terry R E. 1994. Modelingnitrous oxide emissions from agriculture: a Florida casestudy. Chemosphere, 28, 1401-1415.

[16]Li C, Frolking S E, Frolking T A. 1992. A model of nitrousoxide evolution from soil driven by rainfall events. 1.Model st ructure and sensi t ivi ty. Journal ofGeophysical Research, 9, 9776-9799.

[17]Li C, Mosier A, Wassmann R, Cai Z C, Zheng X H, HuangY, Tsuruta H, Boonjawat J, Lantin R. 2004. Modelinggreenhouse gas emissions from rice-based productionsys tems : sens i t ivi ty and ups c a l ing. GlobalBiogeochemical Cycles, 18, GB1043.Li C, Qiu J, Frolking S, Xiao X M, Salas W, Moore B, BolesS, Huang Y, Sass R. 2002. Reduced methane emissionsfrom large scale changes in water management of China’srice paddies during 1980-2000. Geophysical ResearchLetters, 2, 331-334.

[18]Li H, Qiu J J, Wang L G. 2011. Advance in a terrestrialbiogeochemical model-DNDC model. Acta EcologicaSinica, 31, 91-96.

[19]Li H, Qiu J, Wang L, Tang H, Li C, van Ranstc E. 2010.Modelling impacts of alternative farming managementpractices on greenhouse gas emissions from a winterwheat-maize rotation system in China. Agriculture,Ecosystems and Environment, 135, 24-33.

[20]Li H, Wang L G, Qiu J J. 2009. Application of DNDC modelin estimating cropland nitrate leaching. Chinese Journalof Applied Ecology, 20, 1591-1596. (in Chinese)

[21]Liu YT, Li Y E,Wan Y F, Chen D L, Gao Q Z, Qin X B. 2011.Nitrous oxide emissions from irrigated and fertilizedspring maize in semi-arid northern China. Agriculture,Ecosystems and Environment, 141, 287-295.

[22]Liu YT,Wan YF, Lin E D, LiY E, Chen D L, Qin X B, Gao QZ, Jin L, Wu Y J. 2008. N2O flux variations from springmaize soil under fertilization and irrigation. Journal ofAgro-Environment Science, 27, 997-1002.

[23]Mosier A, Kroeze C, Nevison C, Oenema O, Seitzinger S,van Cleemput O. 1998. Closing the global N2O budget:nitrous oxide emissions through the agriculturalnitrogen cycle. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems,52, 225-248.

[24]Parkin T, Kaspar T. 2006. Nitrous oxide emissions fromcorn-soybean systems in the Midwest. Journal ofEnvironmental Quality, 35, 1496-1506.

[25]Pathak H. 2002. Emissions of nitrous oxide from rice-wheatsystems of IndoGangetic of India. EnvironmentMonitor Assessment, 77, 163-178.

[26]Qiu J J, Li C S,Wang LG, Li Y E, Chen D L, Qin X B, Gao QZ, Jin L, Wu Y J. 2009a. Modeling impacts of carbonsequestration on net greenhouse gas emissions fromagricultural soils in China. Global BiogeochemicalCycles, 23, GB1007.

[27]Qiu J J,Wang LG, Tang H J, Li H, Li C S. 2004. Study on thesituation of soil organic carbon storage in arable Lands2078 LI Hu et al..2012, CAAS. All rights reserved. Published by Elsevier Ltd.in Northeast China. Scientia Agricultura Sinica, 37,1166-1171.

[28](in Chinese)Qiu J J, Wang L G, Li H, Tang H J, Li C S, van Ranst E.2009b. Modeling the impacts of soil organic carboncontent of croplands on crop yields in China.Agricultural Sciences in China, 8, 464-471.

[29]Smith P, Smith J U, Powlson D S, McGillWB, Arah J R M,Chertov O G, Coleman K, Franko U, Frolking S,Jenkinson D S. 1997. A comparison of the performanceof nine soil organic matter models using datasets fromseven long-term experiments. Geoderma, 81, 153-225.

[30]Sun Y L, Lu P L, Li J, Yu Q, Sun S B, Wang J S, Ouyang Z.2008. Characteristics of soil N2O flux in a winter wheatsummermaize rotation system in North China plain andanalysis of influencing factors. Chinese Journal ofAgrometeorology, 29, 1-5.

[31](in Chinese)Sun Z Q, Hao Q J, Jiang C S. 2010. Advances in the studyof nitrous oxide production mechanism and itsinfluencing factors in agricultural soils. ChineseJournal of Soil Science, 46, 1524-1530.

[32](in Chinese)Wang G L, Chen D L, Li Y. 2010. Effect of soil temperature,moisture and NH4+-N concentration on nitrification andnitrification-induced N2O emission. Chinese Journalof Eco-Agriculture, 18, 1-6. (in Chinese)

[33]Wang LG, Li H, Qiu J J. 2008. Characterization of emissionsof nitrous oxide from soils of typical crop fields inHuang-Huai-Hai Plain. Scientia Agricultura Sinica, 41,1248-1254. (in Chinese)

[34]Wang LG, Qiu J J, Tang H J, Li H, Li C S, van Ranst E. 2008.Modeling soil organic carbon dynamics in the majoragricultural regions of China. Geoderma, 147, 47-55.

[35]Wang Y Y, Hu C S. 2011. Soil greenhouse gas emission inwinter wheat/summer maize rotation ecosystem asaffected by nitrogen fertilization in the Piedmont Plainof Mount Taihang, China. Chinese Journal of Eco-Agriculture, 19, 1122-1128. (in Chinese)

[36]XuWB, Liu G S, LiuWP. 2002. Effects of precipitation andsoil moisture on N2O emissions from upland soils inGuizhou. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 13, 67-70. (in Chinese)

[37]Xu W, Hong Y, Chen X, Li C S. 2000. N2O emissions fromregional agricultural lands: A case study of GuizhouProvince, southwestern China. Science in China (SeriesD-Earth Sciences), 43, 103-112. (in Chinese)

[38]Yao Z S, Zheng X H, Xie B H, Liu CY, Mei B L, Dong H B,Butterbach-Bahl K, Zhu J G. 2009. Comparison of manualand automated chambers for field measurements of N2O,CH4, CO2 fluxes from cultivated land. AtmosphericEnvironment, 43, 1888-1896.

[39]Zhang Y Y, Liu J F, Mu Y J, Xu Z, Pei S, Lun X, Zhang Y.2012. Nitrous oxide emissions from a maize field duringtwo consecutive growing seasons in the North ChinaPlain. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 24, 160-168.

[40]Zhou J W, Huang Y. 2002. Effect of agricultural managementpractices on N2O emissions from farmlands. Rural Eco-Environment, 18, 46-49. (in Chinese)

[41]Zhou P, Li Y E, Liu LM, Wan Y F, Liu Y T. 2011. Effects offertilization and environment factors on N2O em issionin spring corn field in north China plain - A case studyof Jinzhong in Shanxi Province. Chinese Journal ofAgrometeorology, 32, 179-184. (in Chinese)
[1] CHU Zhen-dong, MING Bo LI Lu-lu, XUE Jun, ZHANG Wan-xu, HOU Liang-yu, XIE Rui-zhi, HOU Peng, WANG Ke-ru, LI Shao-kun . Dynamics of maize grain drying in the high latitude region of Northeast China[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2022, 21(2): 365-374.
[2] LIU Ying-xia, Gerard B. M. HEUVELINK, Zhanguo BAI, HE Ping, JIANG Rong, HUANG Shao-hui, XU Xin-peng. Statistical analysis of nitrogen use efficiency in Northeast China using multiple linear regression and random forest[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2022, 21(12): 3637-3657.
[3] LI Guang-hao, CHENG Gui-gen, LU Wei-ping, LU Da-lei. Differences of yield and nitrogen use efficiency under different applications of slow release fertilizer in spring maize[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2021, 20(2): 554-564.
[4] GUO Huan-cheng, REN Zhao-wen, DING Mei-ming, XIAO Wan-jun, PENG Peng, HE Biao, FENG Ye, LIU Yan, LI Xing-yu, CAI Jian-qiu, ZHANG Bi-kai, LUO Qing-hua, TU Chang-chun . Serologic and molecular survey for major viral pathogens in grazing hybrid wild boars in Northeast China[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2019, 18(9): 2133-2140.
[5] ZHANG Yi-tao, LIU Jian, WANG Hong-yuan, LEI Qiu-liang, LIU Hong-bin, ZHAI Li-mei, REN Tian-zhi, ZHANG Ji-zong. Suitability of the DNDC model to simulate yield production and nitrogen uptake for maize and soybean intercropping in the North China Plain[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2018, 17(12): 2790-2801.
[6] LI Hui, FENG Wen-ting, HE Xin-hua, ZHU Ping, GAO Hong-jun, SUN Nan, XU Ming-gang . Chemical fertilizers could be completely replaced by manure to maintain high maize yield and soil organic carbon (SOC) when SOC reaches a threshold in the Northeast China Plain[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2017, 16(04): 937-946.
[7] TAO Zhi-qiang, CHEN Yuan-quan, LI Chao, ZOU Juan-xiu, YAN Peng, YUAN Shu-fen, WU Xia, SUI Peng. The causes and impacts for heat stress in spring maize during grain filling in the North China Plain - A review[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2016, 15(12): 2677-2687.
[8] LIAO Yan, WU Wen-liang, MENG Fan-qiao, LI Hu. Impact of agricultural intensification on soil organic carbon: A study using DNDC in Huantai County, Shandong Province, China[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2016, 15(06): 1364-1375.
[9] XIA Tian, WU Wen-bin, ZHOU Qing-bo, YU Qiang-yi, Peter H Verburg, YANG Peng, LU Zhongjun. Spatio-Temporal Changes in the Rice Planting Area and Their Relationship to Climate Change in Northeast China: A Model-Based Analysis[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2014, 13(7): 1575-1585.
[10] YANG Li , WANG Li-gang, LI Hu, QIU Jian-jun , LIU Hui-ying. Impacts of Fertilization Alternatives and Crop Straw Incorporation on N2O Emissions from a Spring Maize Field in Northeastern China[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2014, 13(4): 881-892.
[11] ZHA Yan, WU Xue-ping , HE Xin-hua, ZHANG Hui-min, GONG Fu-fei, CAI Dian-xiong, ZHU . Basic Soil Productivity of Spring Maize in Black Soil Under Long-Term Fertilization Based on DSSAT Model[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2014, 13(3): 577-587.
[12] Ankit Singla , Kazuyuki Inubushi. Effect of Biogas Digested Liquid on CH4 and N2O Flux in Paddy Ecosystem[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2014, 13(3): 635-640.
[13] TAO Zhi-qiang, SUI Peng, CHEN Yuan-quan, LI Chao, NIE Zi-jin, YUAN Shu-fen, SHI Jiangtao. Subsoiling and Ridge Tillage Alleviate the High Temperature Stress in Spring Maize in the North China Plain[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2013, 12(12): 2179-2188.
No Suggested Reading articles found!