Summary
This Mediterranean field study evaluated whether replacing winter fallow with cover crops (vetch or barley) altered greenhouse gas emissions when combined with integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) in a maize cropping system. Although cover crops increased N2O emissions during the intercrop period relative to fallow, ISFM-adjusted nitrogen management resulted in similar cumulative N2O emissions by harvest; the findings suggest that legume and non-legume cover crops with ISFM can reduce synthetic nitrogen requirements without increasing yield-scaled GHG losses.
UK applicability
The study's Mediterranean conditions, irrigation regime, and maize-based rotation may have limited direct applicability to UK rainfed systems and cooler climates, though the integration of cover crops with tailored nitrogen management offers a potentially relevant approach for reducing synthetic fertiliser use whilst managing emissions in UK arable rotations.
Key measures
Cumulative N2O emissions (kg N2O-N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), yield-scaled N2O emissions (g N2O-N kg aboveground N uptake⁻¹), N surplus (kg N ha⁻¹), CH4 and CO2 fluxes, maize N uptake, soil mineral N concentrations, soil temperature and moisture, dissolved organic carbon (DOC)
Outcomes reported
The study measured cumulative and yield-scaled nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes, maize nitrogen uptake, soil mineral nitrogen concentrations, and dissolved organic carbon during an intercrop period and subsequent maize cropping cycle. Results showed how cover crop type (vetch or barley) and integrated soil fertility management affected greenhouse gas emissions relative to traditional winter fallow.
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