1. Sugarcane residue and N-fertilization effects on soil GHG emissions in south-central, Brazil.
- Author
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Vasconcelos, Ana Luisa S., Cherubin, Maurício R., Cerri, Carlos E.P., Feigl, Brigitte J., Borja Reis, André F., and Siqueira-Neto, Marcos
- Subjects
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GREENHOUSE gases , *SUGARCANE , *CARBON emissions , *SUGAR plantations , *CARBON dioxide - Abstract
Ethanol derived from sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) could replace a substantial amount of fossil fuel in Brazil, provided the greenhouse gas (GHG) budget is balanced. Green harvest systems have significantly increased the potential amount of sugarcane residue (straw) available for harvest and bioenergy production, but several questions about how those practices will affect field GHG fluxes. In this sense, we quantified GHG emissions associated with four straw harvest rates (12 [no removal]; 6 [moderate removal]; 3 [high removal] and 0 Mg ha−1 [total removal] of dry matter of straw left on the soil), with and without 100 L ha−1 vinasse + N-fertilizer [80 kg ha−1 (NH 4) 2 SO 4 ]. GHG fluxes were measured for 60 days using static chambers. Our results showed that total straw removal reduced CO 2 and N 2 O emissions by 15% and 25%, respectively. After vinasse and fertilizer additions, CO 2 emissions were 2.5-fold higher, and N 2 O were 5-fold higher, regardless of straw rates. In additional, synergic effect of vinasse + fertilizer and straw removal decreased 60% CH 4 uptakes. Direct N2O emission factor was estimated at 0.32%. Net GHG emissions induced by vinasse + fertilizer applied in the sugarcane plantation were 220 g m−2 CO 2 e (or 60 g m−2 C-equivalent), disregarding straw harvest rate. Therefore, we conclude that maintaining at least 6 Mg ha-1 of sugarcane straw in the field will result in a 'win-win situation' by mitigating GHG emissions, sustaining soil, and still saving part of the raw-material for bioenergy production. • Total removal reduced emissions associated with CO2 by 15% and N2O, by 15%. • Vinasse + fertilizer increase CO2 emissions in 2.5 times and N2O, 5 times, regardless of straw harvest rates. • Direct N2O emission factor was estimated at 0.32%. • Net GHG emissions induced by vinasse + N-fertilizer were 220 g m-2 CO2e disregarding straw harvest rate. • Straw harvest rate did not alter the GHG emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
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