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The combination of 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate and alternate drip irrigation with low irrigation quotas resulted in the lowest NH3 and N2O emissions

Author

Listed:
  • Li, Shuang
  • Geng, Yajun
  • Li, Huijie
  • Zhou, Tao
  • Li, Hongchen
  • Ren, Ruiqi
  • Li, Peng
  • Duan, Fangzhi
  • Liu, Zhandong
  • Wang, Haitao
  • Si, Bing Cheng

Abstract

Mitigating reactive nitrogen loss from soil is critical for sustainable agricultural intensification. However, the combined effects of the nitrification inhibitor DMPP (3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate) and irrigation strategies on soil nitrogen dynamics remain unclear. A two-year experiment in the North China Plain evaluated how DMPP application, irrigation method (alternate vs. conventional drip irrigation), and irrigation quota (27 mm vs. 36 mm) affected soil NH₃ and N₂O emissions, physicochemical properties, enzyme activities, and microbial communities in summer maize systems. DMPP application, irrigation method and irrigation quota significantly affected soil urease and catalase activities, while alkaline phosphatase was mainly influenced by irrigation method (P < 0.05). Actinobacteriota and Proteobacteria dominated the microbial phyla, accounting for over 40 % of total relative abundance. Compared with treatments without DMPP, DMPP reduced N₂O emissions by 37.4–70.4 % but increased NH₃ volatilization by 13.5–18.7 % due to higher NH₄⁺-N concentrations and enhanced urease activity. Alternate drip irrigation (ADI) consistently lowered both NH₃ and N₂O emissions by 9.6–23.9 % and 17.8–37.6 %, respectively, compared with conventional drip irrigation, and when combined with DMPP under a 27 mm irrigation quota, achieved the lowest global warming potential and greenhouse gas intensity. Random forest regression analysis revealed soil water-filled pore space as the main driver of N₂O emission, while catalase and urease activities primarily controlled NH₃ volatilization. Integrating DMPP with ADI under 27 mm irrigation quota is recommended to mitigate gaseous nitrogen losses. Future research should examine microbial functional genes and long-term soil responses under integrated water-nitrogen management.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Shuang & Geng, Yajun & Li, Huijie & Zhou, Tao & Li, Hongchen & Ren, Ruiqi & Li, Peng & Duan, Fangzhi & Liu, Zhandong & Wang, Haitao & Si, Bing Cheng, 2026. "The combination of 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate and alternate drip irrigation with low irrigation quotas resulted in the lowest NH3 and N2O emissions," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 323(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:323:y:2026:i:c:s0378377425007784
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2025.110064
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Timothy M. Bowles & Shady S. Atallah & Eleanor E. Campbell & Amélie C. M. Gaudin & William R. Wieder & A. Stuart Grandy, 2018. "Addressing agricultural nitrogen losses in a changing climate," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 1(8), pages 399-408, August.
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    3. Wang, Jingwei & Li, Yuan & Niu, Wenquan, 2021. "Effect of alternating drip irrigation on soil gas emissions, microbial community composition, and root–soil interactions," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 256(C).
    4. Guo, Yanjie & Ji, Yanzhi & Zhang, Jie & Liu, Qiao & Han, Jian & Zhang, Lijuan, 2022. "Effects of water and nitrogen management on N2O emissions and NH3 volatilization from a vineyard in North China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 266(C).
    5. Belén Martínez-Alcántara & Ana Quiñones & Carolina Polo & Eduardo Primo-Millo & Francisco Legaz, 2013. "Use of Nitrification Inhibitor DMPP to Improve Nitrogen Uptake Efficiency in Citrus Trees," Journal of Agricultural Science, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 5(2), pages 1-1, January.
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