Work

Tillage does not impact soil greenhouse gas emissions in a Central Texas rainfed maize–cotton system

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Agricultural soils are a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, primarily as N 2 O. Monitoring how management practices impact soil gas fluxes (CO 2 , CH 4 , and N 2 O) is useful for making sure conservation practices (e.g., no‐till) are sustainable with regards to all potential environmental impacts. Static chambers were used to collect soil gases from a rainfed maize–maize–cotton rotation ( Zea mays and Gossypium hirsutum ) with three tillage treatments (conventional till, strip‐till, and no‐till) in Temple, TX, at a USDA Long‐Term Agroecosystem Research network site. Soil available nitrogen (ammonia and nitrate), soil moisture, and soil temperature were also collected alongside gas measurements. Measurements were conducted over three growing seasons to capture the full rotation cycle in each plot. CH 4 fluxes were small and largely net uptake with some influence of soil temperature and crop selection. Soil CO 2 fluxes were primarily influenced by soil moisture ( p < 0.0001) and temperature ( p < 0.0001). Soil N 2 O emissions were primarily correlated with soil moisture ( p < 0.0001), temperature ( p < 0.0001), and nitrate availability ( p < 0.001). Tillage practices had no significant effect on soil GHG fluxes, including N 2 O, in this agricultural system.

Source: Agrosystems Geosciences & Environment

DOI: 10.1002/agg2.70386

Authors: Dorothy Menefee, Hal Collins, Doug Smith

Institutions: Agricultural Research Service, Grassland, Soil and Water Research Laboratory

Language: English

Topic: Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics

Subfield: Soil Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Zero hunger, Life on land

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,040