Optimal substitution of inorganic fertilizer with organic amendment sustains rainfed maize production and decreases soil N2O emissions by modifying denitrifying bacterial communities in Northern China

Summary

This field study in Northern China evaluated the effects of progressively substituting inorganic nitrogen fertiliser with organic amendment on rainfed maize production, soil greenhouse gas emissions, and soil microbial communities. The research suggests that optimal substitution rates can maintain or sustain maize yields whilst reducing N2O emissions through shifts in denitrifying bacterial populations, offering a potential strategy for mitigating agricultural emissions in water-limited cereal systems.

UK applicability

The findings may have limited direct applicability to UK maize production, as the study was conducted under rainfed conditions in a semi-arid climate quite different from UK rainfall and soil conditions. However, the mechanistic insights into how organic amendments modify soil microbial communities responsible for N2O production could inform UK nitrogen management strategies, particularly for lower-input or organic arable systems.

Key measures

N2O emissions, denitrifying bacterial community composition, maize grain yield, soil nitrogen cycling rates

Outcomes reported

The study measured soil N2O emissions and characterised changes in denitrifying bacterial communities under different ratios of organic amendment substitution for inorganic nitrogen fertiliser in maize production. Maize yield sustainability was also assessed across treatment regimes.

Topic tags