Nitrogen oxide emissions from an irrigated maize crop amended with treated pig slurries and composts in a Mediterranean climate

Published source details Meijide A., Díez J.a., Sánchez-Martín L., López-Fernández S. & Vallejo a. (2007) Nitrogen oxide emissions from an irrigated maize crop amended with treated pig slurries and composts in a Mediterranean climate. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 121, 383-394.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Crop production: Add slurry to the soil Action Link
	Soil: Add slurry to the soil Action Link
	Soil: Use organic fertilizer instead of inorganic Action Link
	Crop production: Use organic fertilizer instead of inorganic Action Link
	Soil: Add compost to the soil Action Link

Crop production: Add slurry to the soil

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2009 in a rainfed barley field in Spain found higher crop yields in plots with added slurry, compared to plots without it. Crop yield: Higher barley yields were found in plots with added slurry, compared to plots without it, in one of two comparisons (1,508 vs 972 kg/ha). Implementation options: Similar barley yields were found in plots with untreated slurry or digested slurry (1,125 vs 1,508 kg/ha). Methods: Plots (30 m²) had no fertilizer or pig slurry (anaerobically-digested or untreated), which was applied in January 2006 (125 kg N/ha; three plots for each) and incorporated into the soil (0–5 cm depth) using a roto-cultivator. Phosphate and potassium (75 and 40 kg/ha, respectively) were added to all plots.
Soil: Add slurry to the soil

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2004 in a maize field in the Jarama river basin, Spain, found higher nitrous oxide emissions from soils fertilized with slurry, compared to unfertilized soils. Greenhouse gases: Higher nitrous oxide emissions were found in soils with slurry, compared to unfertilised soils (untreated pig slurry: 8.3 vs 6.0; digested pig slurry: 7.7 vs 6.0 kg N/ha). Implementation options: No difference in nitrous oxide emissions was found between soils fertilized with digested pig slurry or untreated pig slurry (7.7 vs 8.3 kg N/ha). Methods: There were three plots (40 m²) for each of two treatments (untreated pig slurry or anaerobically digested thin fraction of pig slurry) and one control (no slurry). Both slurries were applied at a rate of 175 kg available N/ha. Nitrous oxide was measured in closed chambers (two chambers/plot, one within a maize row, one between rows; 35 cm diameter, 23 cm height; one sample/week, April-September).
Soil: Use organic fertilizer instead of inorganic

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2004 in a maize field in the Jarama river basin, Spain, found similar greenhouse-gas emissions in soils with organic or inorganic fertilizer. Greenhouse gases: No difference in nitrous oxide emissions was found in soils fertilized with pig slurry, compared to soils fertilized with urea (untreated pig slurry: 8.3 vs 8.6 kg N/ha; digested pig slurry: 7.7 vs 8.6). Methods: There were three plots (40 m²) for each of two organic fertilizers (anaerobically digested thin fraction of pig slurry or untreated pig slurry) and one mineral fertilizer (urea, which was a mineral fertilizer in this study, but urea is also produced from animal waste). Slurries were applied at a rate of 175 kg available N/ha. Urea was applied at a rate of 50 kg N/ha. Soils were cultivated to a depth of 5 cm to incorporate the fertilizers. Nitrous oxide was measured in closed chambers (two chambers/plot, one within a maize row, one between rows; 35 cm diameter, 23 cm height; one sample/week, April–September).
Crop production: Use organic fertilizer instead of inorganic

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2009 in a rainfed barley field in Spain found similar crop yields in plots with organic or inorganic fertilizer. Crop yield: Similar crop yields were found in plots with organic or inorganic fertilizer (1,032–1,508 vs 1,061 kg/ha). Methods: Plots (30 m²) had no fertilizer, organic fertilizer (pig slurry, anaerobically-digested pig slurry, municipal solid waste, or composted crop residue with sludge), or inorganic fertilizer (urea), which was applied in January 2006 (125 kg N/ha; three plots for each fertilizer) and incorporated into the soil (0–5 cm depth) using a roto-cultivator. Phosphate and potassium (75 and 40 kg/ha, respectively) were added to all plots.
Soil: Add compost to the soil

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2004 in a maize field in the Jarama river basin, Spain, found no difference in greenhouse-gas emissions between soils with or without added compost. Greenhouse gases: No difference in nitrous oxide emissions was found between soils with or without added compost (composted pig slurry: 9.3 vs 8.6 kg N/ha; composted municipal solid waste 7.1 vs 8.6). Methods: There were three plots (40 m²) for each of two treatments (composted solid fraction of pig slurry or composted municipal solid waste, both with urea) and one control (urea only). Urea was applied at a rate of 50 kg N/ha. Both composts were applied at a rate of 175 kg available N/ha. Soils were cultivated to a depth of 5 cm to incorporate the fertilizers. Nitrous oxide was measured in closed chambers (two chambers/plot, one within a maize row, one between rows, 35 cm diameter, 23 cm height, one sample/week, April–September).