Measurement and Modeling Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Ferric Luvisols in the Guinea Savanna Agro-ecological Zone of Ghana
Journal Title: International Journal of Plant & Soil Science - Year 2016, Vol 10, Issue 3
Abstract
Agricultural sector in Ghana contributes to about 60% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is mainly characterized by fertilizer application to improve depleting soil fertility. With the increase in population and demand for increased productivity, application of inorganic fertilizers will result in enhanced greenhouse gas emissions. As nitrogen (N) is among the most limiting soil nutrient in the Guinea Savanna, chemical/organic fertilizers are applied in significant amounts to maintain crop productivity. Because of increased fertilizer and manure application to replenish dwindling soil fertility, the region is likely to become a significant source of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. To study the effect of fertilizer application on N2O emissions, Denitrification decomposition model (DNDC), a process-base model of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) biogeochemistry in agricultural ecosystems was calibrated with field data obtained in 2013 and was used to predict the impact of N fertilizer source and rate of application on N2O emissions. The linear equation between measured and modeled annual fluxes from ferric luvisols showed a positive relationship between observed N2O fluxes from field experiments in the 2013 season and simulated N2O flux with with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.7773. For the validation period (2013) the predicted N2O emissions simulation agreed practically well with the observed data. Plots without fertilization resulted in the lowest N2O emissions in both measured and simulated data and the model was capable of simulating the highly dynamic changes in N2O emissions most of the time at different N application. However, N2O emissions on application of 120 kg N ha-1 as urea and sulphate of ammonia were underestimated by DNDC model. The results further showed that the DNDC model can be used to predict N2O gas flux from the Guinea Savanna agro-ecological conditions of Ghana. Simulated results further indicate that, application of 120 kg N ha-1 as sulphate of ammonia and urea respectively would had higher global warming potential compared to application of same N source at 60 kg N ha-1.
Authors and Affiliations
W. K. Atakora, P. K. Kwakye
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP351452
- DOI 10.9734/IJPSS/2016/24165
- Views 117
- Downloads 0
Biofertilization of Tifton 85 with Sludge from Sewage Treatment Station of Whey Industry
The high concentration of N, P and other components present in sludge from wastewater treatment plants make it economically interesting the application in agricultural crop, as soil biofertilizer. The objective of this s...
Spread Sheets for Laterals Spacing Design Application on Mit Kenana Area in Egypt
Mit Kenana area, 40 km North of Cairo, represents the eastern fringes of the Nile Delta in Egypt. Existing laterals spacing design of Mit Kenana area is reviewed. Then spread sheets are employed to obtain laterals spacin...
Effect of Mulching, Cumulative Pan Evaporation Ratio and Nutrient Levels on Yield, Nutrient Content and Uptake of Linseed
A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Farm, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi to find out the effect of mulch, cumulative pan evaporation ratio and nutrient leve...
Evaluating Salicornia as a Potential Forage Crop to Remediate High Groundwater-Table Saline Soil under Continental Climates
Salicornia is a leafless C3 annual halophyte with a greatest economic potential. A field study was conducted to evaluate Salicornia (Salicornia europaea) biomass production and feed quality and its effect on soil quality...
Bronopol (2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1, 3-Diol), A Chlorine Based Chemical Compound for the Management of Bacterial Leaf Blight of Rice
Aim: Present study was under taken to determine the field efficacy of a chlorine based chemical compound for the management of bacterial leaf blight (BLB) of rice. Study Design: Randomized complete block design (RCBD). P...