Publication date: December 2014
Source:Geoderma, Volumes 235–236
Author(s): Namratha Reddy , David M. Crohn
Soil salinity negatively affects the mineralization and nitrification processes of the N cycle and may also affect the production of nitrous oxide (N2 O) and N2 to N2 O–N ratios. Application of organic amendments such as manures and composts improves soil physical, chemical, and biological properties of salt-affected soils. However, because these materials both mineralize N and serve as substrates for denitrifiers, they may also increase N2 O emissions. We studied the effect of organic amendments applied to saline soils on N2 O emissions and on N2 to N2 O–N ratios. Saline soils with electrical conductivity(ECe ) measures of 2.8, 15.2, and 30.62 –C) and N2 O–N were monitored along with soil ammonium (NH4 +–N) and nitrate (NO3 −–N) concentrations. The results showed that increasing soil salinity increased cumulative N2 O–N losses but decreased CO2 –C and N2 emissions and N2 to N2 O–N ratios. Of all the amendments, the highest cumulative N2 O–N and N2 emissions were produced from the ADM treatment at all three salinity levels. In general, incorporation of active compared to cured amendments increased N2 to N2 O–N ratios at all three salinity levels suggesting that applying active organic materials could be useful in mitigation of N2 O emissions from salt-affected soils under remediation.
Source:Geoderma, Volumes 235–236
Author(s): Namratha Reddy , David M. Crohn