Fertilizer induced nitrous oxide emissions from Vertisols and Alfisols during sweet sorghum cultivation in the Indian semi-arid tropics

Abstract

Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from Vertisols and Alfisols during sweet sorghum cultivation in the Indian semi-arid tropics were determined using a closed chamber technique during the rainy season (June–October) of 2010. The study included two treatments, nitrogen (N) at a rate of 90kg/ha and a control without N fertilizer application. The N2O emissions strongly coincided with N fertilization and rainfall events. The cumulative N2O–N emission from Alfisols was 1.81N2O–Nkg/ha for 90 N treatment and 0.15 N2O–Nkg/ha for the 0 N treatment. Similarly, the N2O–N emission from Vertisols was 0.70 N2O–Nkg/ha for 90 N treatment and 0.09 N2O–Nkg/ha for the 0 N treatment. The mean N2O–N emission factor for fertilizer induced emissions from the Alfisols was 0.90% as compared to 0.32% for Vertisols. Our results suggest that the N2O emissions are dependent on the soil properties. Therefore, the monitoring of N2O emissions from different agro-ecological regions, having different soil types, rainfall characteristics, cropping systems and crop management practices are necessary to develop comprehensive and accurate green house gas inventories.