Denitrification losses in response to N fertiliser rates - a synthesis
of high temporal resolution N2O, in-situ 15N2O and 15N2 measurements and
fertiliser 15N recoveries in intensive sugarcane systems
Abstract
Denitrification is a key process in the global nitrogen (N) cycle,
causing both nitrous oxide (N2O) and dinitrogen (N2) emissions. However,
estimates of seasonal denitrification losses (N2O+N2) are scarce,
reflecting methodological difficulties in measuring soil-borne N2
emissions against the high atmospheric N2 background and challenges
regarding their spatio-temporal upscaling. This study investigated
N2O+N2 losses in response to N fertiliser rates (0, 100, 150, 200 and
250 kg N ha-1) on two intensively managed tropical sugarcane farms in
Australia, by combining automated N2O monitoring, in-situ N2 and N2O
measurements using the 15N gas flux method and fertiliser 15N recoveries
at harvest. Dynamic changes in the N2O/(N2O+N2) ratio (< 0.01
to 0.768) were explained by fitting generalised additive mixed models
(GAMMs) with soil factors to upscale high temporal-resolution N2O data
to daily N2 emissions over the season. Cumulative N2O+N2 losses ranged
from 12 to 87 kg N ha-1, increasing non-linearly with increasing N
fertiliser rates. Emissions of N2O+N2 accounted for 31–78% of
fertiliser 15N losses and were dominated by environmentally benign N2
emissions. The contribution of denitrification to N fertiliser loss
decreased with increasing N rates, suggesting increasing significance of
other N loss pathways including leaching and runoff at higher N rates.
This study delivers a blueprint approach to extrapolate denitrification
measurements at both temporal and spatial scales, which can be applied
in fertilised agroecosystems. Robust estimates of denitrification losses
determined using this method will help to improve cropping system
modelling approaches, advancing our understanding of the N cycle across
scales.