Summary
This field trial examined how crop residue retention (30 cm incorporated residue) combined with optimised nitrogen application rates affects nitrous oxide emissions, yield efficiency and soil quality in maize production within an annual maize–rice sequence. Whilst residue retention with elevated nitrogen rates (125% recommended dose) increased absolute N₂O emissions by 10%, yield-scaled N₂O emissions were equivalent to lower nitrogen rates, and soil elemental quality improvements offset environmental costs. The authors conclude that residue retention at the current recommended nitrogen rate optimises the trade-off between yield, soil health and greenhouse gas mitigation.
UK applicability
The study was conducted in a South Asian rice–maize rotation context with climate and soil conditions distinct from UK temperate arable systems. However, the principles of residue-mediated soil carbon accumulation and nitrogen fertiliser optimisation for emission intensity reduction are transferable; UK maize growers and integrated arable systems may benefit from similar field trials adapted to temperate conditions and shorter rotation cycles.
Key measures
Cumulative and mean N₂O emissions; yield-scaled N₂O emissions; N₂O emission factor; maize grain yield; soil organic carbon; total soil nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur; soil pH
Outcomes reported
The study measured nitrous oxide emissions, yield-scaled N₂O emissions, maize grain yield, and soil quality parameters (organic carbon, total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur) across different residue management and nitrogen fertiliser rate combinations in a maize–rice rotation system.
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