Best management practices for reducing nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in vegetable production systems
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The increasing reliance on synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilizers and intensive soil management in vegetable production systems has led to substantial emissions of nitrogenous gases, including ammonia, nitric oxide, and nitrous oxide (N 2 O). Among these, N 2 O is a long-lived greenhouse gas with a high global warming potential (273 times that of CO 2 ), making vegetable production a significant contributor to climate forcing due to high N demand and use, frequent irrigation, and low fertilizer recovery. This review aims to synthesize current knowledge on best management practices (BMPs) for mitigating N 2 O emissions from vegetable production systems, with an emphasis on approaches that enhance N use efficiency while sustaining crop productivity and profitability. A comprehensive review of peer-reviewed literature was conducted to evaluate N use patterns, N 2 O production pathways, emission drivers, and mitigation strategies in vegetable cropping systems. Studies examining practices such as fertilizer management, soil amendments, irrigation, microbial use, precision technologies, and integrated approaches were critically reviewed, and knowledge gaps were identified. The reviewed evidence indicates that excessive N application, poor synchronization between N supply and crop demand, and intensive irrigation are the primary drivers of elevated N 2 O emissions in vegetable cultivation. BMPs such as nitrification inhibitors; optimized fertilizer rates, timing, and placement; precision fertigation; negative pressure irrigation; and biochar amendments consistently reduced N 2 O emissions, often without yield penalties. The effectiveness of these strategies varies with soil type, climate, and crop type. Mitigating N 2 O emissions in vegetable production requires shifting from input-intensive practices toward precise, holistic N management that integrates fertilizer, water, and soil management strategies. Single interventions can reduce emissions, but their effectiveness is strongly enhanced when implemented as part of coordinated management efforts. Adopting BMPs and integrated N management can substantially reduce the climate footprint of vegetable production while maintaining economic viability. Future research should prioritize system-level assessments, long-term field studies including N 2 O emissions, and region-specific guidelines to support scalable, climate-smart vegetable production. Specific research priorities are proposed in the paper. • Review identifies critical knowledge gaps in vegetable-specific N 2 O emissions • BMPs can reduce N 2 O emissions by 30-80% while maintaining vegetable productivity • Integrated management practices hold promise for effective emission mitigation • Context-specific strategies better balance yield with environmental sustainability • More long-term trials are needed to understand N 2 O emission trends in vegetables
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDGs: Zero hunger, Climate action
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,530
OpenAlex ID: W7124919540