Abstract
Abstract The addition of organic amendments with a low Carbon:Nitrogen (C:N) ratio to restore degraded soils may increase the emission of greenhouse gases and affect the storage of these elements in the topsoil. Our objectives were to evaluate the effect of the addition to the surface of organic amendments to a non-tilled and non-cultivated soil, compared with the addition of cover crop residues, with respect to: (i) N 2 O emissions and their relationships with soil variables, (ii) C and N content in the topsoil. We conducted an experiment during two consecutive years in Parana, Argentina (−31° 50.9′ S; −60°32.3′ W). Treatments included the addition of organic amendments (composted poultry litter and poultry manure) and cover crops residues [wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) and white sweet clover ( Melilotus albus Medik.)]. Soil variables that are most commonly reported as critical for N 2 O emissions, i.e. soil nitrates (N-NO 3 ) and water filled pore space (WFPS), showed more differences among treatments in Year 1 than in Year 2, which was associated with a higher frequency and amount of rainfall. N 2 O flux ranged between 0.12–50 μg N m −2 d −1 (Year 1) and 0.62-13.7 μg N m −2 d −1 (Year 2). N 2 O flux was significantly associated with WFPS in both Years (P 3 (P 2 O emissions were extremely low, the highest values were recorded in poultry manure treatment, whereas, the lower values were recorded in crop residues and in the control treatment. Overall, our results suggest that the addition of organic amendments in our region, with a massive adoption of no-till, that were broadcasted before (i.e. 30–45 days) the sowing of summer crops, are associated with low N 2 O emissions and potential improvements in soil quality. In addition, the experimental approach allowed us to more clearly identify the drivers of N 2 O emissions and to better understand the soil processes that are involved in this particular situation, without the presence of a living vegetal cover.
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