Nitrous oxide emissions from soils of the semi-arid highlands of Durango, Mexico: A laboratory study

• Published in: Arid land research and management Vol. 22; no. 3; pp. 179 - 194
• Main Authors: Herrera-Arreola, G, Vasquez-Murrieta, M.S, Cruz-Mondragon, C, Cleemput, O. van, Dendooven, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 16.07.2008
• Subjects: ammonium nitrogen; C and N dynamics; canopy; carbon dioxide; gas emissions; greenhouse gases; highlands; inorganic N fertilizer; mesquite (Prosopis juliflora); nitrates; nitrites; nitrogen fixation; nitrous oxide; production of N; Prosopis juliflora; semiarid zones; shrubs; soil air; soil water content; temporal variation; vegetation; water content; water holding capacity; Mexico; Mexico, Durango
• ISSN: 1532-4982; 1532-4990
• DOI: 10.1080/15324980802182964

Approximately 60% of Mexico (1.973 × 10 6  km 2 ) is arid or semi-arid with vegetation dominated by N 2 fixing shrubs, such as mesquite ( Prosopis juliflora ). Little is known, however, how these ecosystems contribute to production of nitrous oxide (N 2 O), a known greenhouse gas. We investigated this by adding inorganic fertilizer (20 mg ammonium (NH 4 + ) N kg −1 soil) to soil at different water contents (40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% of water-holding capacity (WHC)) sampled under the canopy of mesquite and outside its canopy, while production of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and nitrous oxide (N 2 O), and dynamics NH 4 + , nitrite (NO 2 − ), and nitrate (NO 3 − )) were monitored. The CO 2 production rate was 1.5 times larger for soil sampled under the canopy of mesquite compared to soil sampled outside the canopy of shrubs and lower in soil incubated at 100% WHC compared to the other treatments. Production of N 2 O increased with increased water content within the first day, but decreased in soil at 80% and 100% WHC thereafter. The production of N 2 O was 1.9 times larger for soil sampled under the canopy of mesquite compared to soil sampled outside its canopy. The addition of 20 mg NH 4 + -N increased production of N 2 O 1.8-fold. It was found that the cumulative production of N 2 O was larger from soil sampled under the canopy of mesquite than outside it when amended with inorganic fertilizer and increased with increased water content of the soil within a day. The relationship between the emission of CO 2 and N 2 O, water-holding capacity are discussed.