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Carbon-sink potential of continuous alfalfa agriculture lowered by short-term nitrous oxide emission events

Author

Listed:
  • Tyler L. Anthony

    (University of California at Berkeley)

  • Daphne J. Szutu

    (University of California at Berkeley)

  • Joseph G. Verfaillie

    (University of California at Berkeley)

  • Dennis D. Baldocchi

    (University of California at Berkeley)

  • Whendee L. Silver

    (University of California at Berkeley)

Abstract

Alfalfa is the most widely grown forage crop worldwide and is thought to be a significant carbon sink due to high productivity, extensive root systems, and nitrogen-fixation. However, these conditions may increase nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions thus lowering the climate change mitigation potential. We used a suite of long-term automated instrumentation and satellite imagery to quantify patterns and drivers of greenhouse gas fluxes in a continuous alfalfa agroecosystem in California. We show that this continuous alfalfa system was a large N2O source (624 ± 28 mg N2O m2 y−1), offsetting the ecosystem carbon (carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4)) sink by up to 14% annually. Short-term N2O emissions events (i.e., hot moments) accounted for ≤1% of measurements but up to 57% of annual emissions. Seasonal and daily trends in rainfall and irrigation were the primary drivers of hot moments of N2O emissions. Significant coherence between satellite-derived photosynthetic activity and N2O fluxes suggested plant activity was an important driver of background emissions. Combined data show annual N2O emissions can significantly lower the carbon-sink potential of continuous alfalfa agriculture.

Suggested Citation

  • Tyler L. Anthony & Daphne J. Szutu & Joseph G. Verfaillie & Dennis D. Baldocchi & Whendee L. Silver, 2023. "Carbon-sink potential of continuous alfalfa agriculture lowered by short-term nitrous oxide emission events," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-37391-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37391-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Kandelous, Maziar M. & Kamai, Tamir & Vrugt, Jasper A. & Šimůnek, Jiří & Hanson, Blaine & Hopmans, Jan W., 2012. "Evaluation of subsurface drip irrigation design and management parameters for alfalfa," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 81-93.
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