Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Crop straw incorporation interacts with N fertilizer on N2O emissions in an intensively cropped farmland

Cong Xu, Xiao Han, Shuhua Ru, L. M. Cardenas, Robert M. Rees, Di Wu, Wenliang Wu, Fanqiao Meng

Geoderma · 2019

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Summary

This field study investigates the interactive effects of crop straw incorporation and nitrogen fertiliser application on nitrous oxide emissions in intensively managed agricultural systems. The research, as suggested by the title and journal scope, addresses a key tension in sustainable intensification: balancing soil organic matter replenishment (via straw retention) with greenhouse gas mitigation, particularly where high nitrogen inputs are standard. The findings contribute to understanding of how agronomic practices jointly influence soil-derived emissions in high-input farming systems.

UK applicability

The study was conducted in China and findings may have limited direct applicability to UK cereal systems, which operate under different climate, soil, and regulatory conditions. However, the interaction between straw management and nitrogen fertiliser—both widespread practices in UK arable farming—warrants consideration of similar interactions in temperate systems.

Key measures

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions; nitrogen fertiliser rate; crop straw incorporation rate; soil conditions in intensive cropping systems

Outcomes reported

The study examined how crop straw incorporation interacts with nitrogen fertiliser application to influence nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions in intensively cropped farmland. N₂O emissions were measured as the primary outcome across different management scenarios.

Theme
Climate & resilience
Subject
Climate & greenhouse gas mitigation
Study type
Research
Study design
Field trial
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
China
System type
Arable cereals
DOI
10.1016/j.geoderma.2019.01.014
Catalogue ID
MGmoqzyj7q-atev9m

Topic tags

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