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

Optimizing nitrogen and water management for sustainable greenhouse vegetable production with less greenhouse gas emissions

Peng Zhou, Xinlu Bai, Haoying Wang, Mingxia Yang, Lei Bao, Xiaofang Deng, Zhujun Chen, Jianbin Zhou

Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment · 2023

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Summary

This 2023 field study examines how coordinated optimisation of nitrogen and water management in greenhouse vegetable production can reduce greenhouse gas emissions whilst maintaining or improving productivity. The research contributes to understanding the trade-offs and synergies between resource efficiency and climate mitigation in protected cropping systems, a production method increasingly important in intensive horticulture. The findings suggest that management practices tailored to greenhouse conditions can simultaneously improve environmental outcomes and economic viability.

UK applicability

The findings are potentially relevant to UK protected horticulture, which has been expanding and faces pressure to reduce both water stress and nitrogen pollution under Water Resources Management and Environmental regulations. However, the study was likely conducted in China's warmer climate zones, so agronomic parameters (soil type, growing seasons, cultivars) may differ substantially from UK greenhouse conditions.

Key measures

Greenhouse gas emissions (particularly N₂O), water use, nitrogen application rates, crop yield, nitrogen use efficiency, soil nitrogen dynamics

Outcomes reported

The study assessed the effects of optimised nitrogen and water management strategies on greenhouse gas emissions, crop yield, and resource use efficiency in protected vegetable production. The research likely measured nitrous oxide emissions, water consumption, nitrogen uptake efficiency, and vegetable yield under different management regimes.

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
Horticulture
DOI
10.1016/j.agee.2023.108529
Catalogue ID
SNmojyxwcy-nv4zy0

Topic tags

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