The effect of reduced tillage on nitrous oxide emissions of silt loam soils

The effect of reduced tillage (RT) on nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions of soils from fields with root crops under a temperate climate was studied. Three silt loam fields under RT agriculture were compared with their respective conventional tillage (CT) field with comparable crop rotation and manure application. Undisturbed soil samples taken in September 2005 and February 2006 were incubated under laboratory conditions for 10 days. The N2O emission of soils taken in September 2005 varied from 50 to 1,095 µg N kg−1 dry soil. The N2O emissions of soils from the RT fields taken in September 2005 were statistically (P < 0.05) higher or comparable than the N2O emissions from their respective CT soil. The N2O emission of soils taken in February 2006 varied from 0 to 233 µg N kg−1 dry soil. The N2O emissions of soils from the RT fields taken in February 2006 tended to be higher than the N2O emissions from their respective CT soil. A positive and significant Pearson correlation of the N2O–N emissions with nitrate nitrogen (NO3−–N) content in the soil was found (P < 0.01). Leaving the straw on the field, a typical feature of RT, decreased NO3−–N content of the soil and reduced N2O emissions from RT soils.