Improved nitrogen management to mitigate greenhouse gases in corn
Abstract
This trial tests whether nitrogen strategies that maximize nitrogen recovery in crop biomass can minimize direct nitrous-oxide emissions in continuous corn.
Period of Performance
2024 - PRESENT
Funding Agency
MSU (WRRI)
Methods
Field experiments evaluate nitrogen rate, application depth, surface-trench management, and a urease inhibitor (NBPT), with weekly to biweekly fluxes measured by trace-gas analyzers and smart chambers to identify protected-fertility strategies.
Results
Key findings Higher nitrogen rates increased CO₂-equivalent and yield-scaled emissions. Contrary to expectation, closing fertilizer trenches at the surface tended to increase nitrous-oxide (N₂O) emissions. Nitrogen stabilizers showed no measurable reduction in total emissions in rainfed corn.