AOB Nitrosospira cluster 3a.2 (D11) dominates NO emissions in fertilised agricultural soils.

Ammonia-oxidation process directly contribute to soil nitrous oxide (NO) emissions in agricultural soils. However, taxonomy of the key nitrifiers (within ammonia oxidising bacteria (AOB), archaea (AOA) and complete ammonia oxidisers (comammox Nitrospira)) responsible for substantial NO emissions in agricultural soils is unknown, as is their regulation by soil biotic and abiotic factors. In this study, cumulative NO emissions, nitrification rates, abundance and community structure of nitrifiers were investigated in 16 agricultural soils from major crop production regions of China using microcosm experiments with amended nitrogen (N) supplemented or not with a nitrification inhibitor (nitrapyrin).

Managing nitrogen to restore water quality in China.

The nitrogen cycle has been radically changed by human activities. China consumes nearly one third of the world's nitrogen fertilizers. The excessive application of fertilizers and increased nitrogen discharge from livestock, domestic and industrial sources have resulted in pervasive water pollution.

Ammonia-oxidation as an engine to generate nitrous oxide in an intensively managed calcareous fluvo-aquic soil.

We combine field observations, microcosm, stoichiometry, and molecular and stable isotope techniques to quantify N2O generation processes in an intensively managed low carbon calcareous fluvo-aquic soil. All the evidence points to ammonia oxidation and linked nitrifier denitrification (ND) being the major processes generating N2O. When NH4(+)-based fertilizers are applied the soil will produce high N2O peaks which are inhibited almost completely by adding nitrification inhibitors.

New technologies reduce greenhouse gas emissions from nitrogenous fertilizer in China.

Synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilizer has played a key role in enhancing food production and keeping half of the world's population adequately fed. However, decades of N fertilizer overuse in many parts of the world have contributed to soil, water, and air pollution; reducing excessive N losses and emissions is a central environmental challenge in the 21st century. China's participation is essential to global efforts in reducing N-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions because China is the largest producer and consumer of fertilizer N.

Greenhouse gas emissions from a wheat-maize double cropping system with different nitrogen fertilization regimes.

Here, we report on a two-years field experiment aimed at the quantification of the emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) from the dominant wheat-maize double cropping system in North China Plain. The experiment had 6 different fertilization strategies, including a control treatment, recommended fertilization, with and without straw and manure applications, and nitrification inhibitor and slow release urea. Application of N fertilizer slightly decreased CH4 uptake by soil.

Reducing environmental risk by improving N management in intensive Chinese agricultural systems.

Excessive N fertilization in intensive agricultural areas of China has resulted in serious environmental problems because of atmospheric, soil, and water enrichment with reactive N of agricultural origin. This study examines grain yields and N loss pathways using a synthetic approach in 2 of the most intensive double-cropping systems in China: waterlogged rice/upland wheat in the Taihu region of east China versus irrigated wheat/rainfed maize on the North China Plain. When compared with knowledge-based optimum N fertilization with 30-60% N savings, we found that current agricultural N practices with 550-600 kg of N per hectare fertilizer annually do not significantly increase crop yields but do lead to about 2 times larger N losses to the environment.

[Effects of different fertilization modes on soil ammonia volatilization and nitrous oxide emission].

With enclosed and static chambers, this paper studied the effects of different fertilization modes, i.e., top-dressing nitrogen (N) fertilizer followed by tillage (SF), drilling N fertilizer followed by covering soil (TF), and top-dressing N fertilizer followed by irrigation (SS), on soil ammonia (NH3) volatilization and nitrous oxide (N2O) emission.

Role of nitrification inhibitor DMPP (3, 4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate) in NO(3-)-N accumulation in greengrocery( Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis) and vegetable soil.

The influence of nitrification inhibitor (NI) 3, 4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) on nitrate accumulation in greengrocery (Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis) and vegetable soil at surface layer were investigated in field experiments in 2002 and 2003.