Yield and gas exchange of greenhouse tomato at different nitrogen levels under aerated irrigation

Abstract

Significant global warming increases over the last century have resulted in recent research focused on practices to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Agricultural management practices, such as nitrogen (N) fertilization and aerated irrigation (AI), have significantly increased crop yields by improving soil water and fertilizer availability, and have been widely adopted in recent years. However, the interactive impact of different growing seasons and management practices in the greenhouse on GHG emissions is unclear. This greenhouse study was conducted during Spring and Autumn cultivation periods in Yangling, China with five N application rates (0, 50, 150, 200,250 kg ha−1) and two irrigation methods (AI and conventional irrigation [CK]). The results indicated that AI and N application both increased tomato yield, but also increased soil CO2 and N2O emissions. The temperature was 4 °C higher during Spring cultivation than during Autumn cultivation, which significantly (P < 0.05) increased soil emissions of CO2, N2O, and net GHG by 10.6%, 43.8%, and 12.3%, respectively. However, the yield in Spring cultivation only increased by 5.1% (P > 0.05). Thus, among the selectable cultivation seasons, the cooler season (Autumn) along with AI and 200 kg N ha−1, was recommended to farmers to avoid adverse effects of a warming environment. AI and 150 kg N ha−1 in Spring cultivation could be recommended as an alternative measure to local farmers. Our results suggest that in a future warmer climate, reducing nitrogen fertilizer rate in conjunction with the use of AI will remain important practices for maintaining crop yield while reducing soil net GHG emissions. There is an urgent need to transform current management practices to offset the negative impacts of climate change.