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Subsurface Drip Irrigation Reduced Nitrous Oxide Emissions in a Pomegranate Orchard
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Abstract
Soil fertilization is one of the major sources for
nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and soil moisture is among the
most important factors affecting its production. Thus, one of the
important mitigation strategies in semiarid or arid regions is
through irrigation and/or fertigation management. The
objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of different
drip irrigation methods and N application levels on N2O
emissions. Nitrous oxide emission flux and N2O concentration in
soil profile were measured in a pomegranate field for two
growing seasons under two irrigation systems [subsurface drip
irrigation (SDI) at ~0.5 m depth and traditional surface drip
irrigation (DI)], and three N application rates (50%, 100%, and
150% of current practice rate). Both years’ data showed that
N2O emissions has a high and positive correlation with N
fertilization events and application levels. Nitrous oxide
emissions from DI at 100% and 150% N levels were over an
order of magnitude higher compared to those from SDI based
on the data of the first year. Data from the second year
confirmed the first year’s findings of high emissions from DI. A
positive linear correlation between the N2O emission flux and
N2O concentration in soil-gas phase was identified that
supported emission data. This research demonstrated that
although N fertilization is a major cause for N2O emissions,
subsurface drip irrigation/fertigation can lead to a significant
emission reduction in addition to other benefits, such as
increased water and nutrient use efficiencies, and reduced weed
pressure.
Description
Date
2019-03
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Environmental Science and Development
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Keywords
chemical nitrogen fertilizer, greenhouse gas emission, high-frequency drip irrigation, pomegranate, Entisols
Citation
International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, Vol. 10, No. 3, March 2019