Periodic Reporting for period 2 - AgPro4CSA (Sustainable managment of agriculture sources for development of climate-smart agricultural practices)
Período documentado: 2023-06-01 hasta 2024-05-31
Agriculture must simultaneously increase food production and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to address food security and climate change, both of which are critical societal challenges. Sustainable management is essential to maintain crop productivity and limit environmental impacts, as unsustainable practices such as long-term monoculture with exclusive mineral fertiliser use degrade soil quality and increase nutrient losses. Climate-friendly agricultural strategies therefore offer clear societal benefits by enhancing yield resilience, reducing emissions, conserving soil and water resources, protecting biodiversity, and supporting long-term food security and environmental sustainability.
The overall objective of AgPro4CSA project was to develop improved and efficient agricultural practices in order to reduce the environmental impacts of crop production practices without imposing negative economic impacts on farmers. To achieve this overarching goal, the AgPro4CSA project pursued the follwoing objectives:
1- Better understandings of soil microbial communities’ responses with changing field managements, e.g. crop rotations and nutrient management.
2- Correlation of chemical and biophysical changes with atmospheric GHG emissions from agricultural fields.
3- Evaluation of the seasonal variability in GHG emissions due to the interaction between management practices, soil conditions and microbial processes.
4- Development of sustainable management practices based on spatial and temporal simulations of empirical findings.
The AgPro4CSA project adopted a multidisciplinary & integrated approach, combining empirical field studies with process-based modelling to address key challenges in sustainable crop production systems. The project investigated the spatio-temporal dynamics of nitrous oxide emissions and associated biogeochemical processes in agricultural fields through large-scale field experiments, supported by state-of-the-art experimental facilities and detailed soil microbial and chemical analyses. Furthermore, the modification, calibration, and validation of a biogeochemical model, together with simulations of alternative field management scenarios, incorporating different crop rotations and N management strategies under variable soil and climatic conditions, provided robust, evidence-based insights into greenhouse gas mitigation potential while maintaining or improving crop productivity at the farm level.
The overall objective of AgPro4CSA project was to develop improved and efficient agricultural practices in order to reduce the environmental impacts of crop production practices without imposing negative economic impacts on farmers. To achieve this overarching goal, the AgPro4CSA project pursued the follwoing objectives:
1- Better understandings of soil microbial communities’ responses with changing field managements, e.g. crop rotations and nutrient management.
2- Correlation of chemical and biophysical changes with atmospheric GHG emissions from agricultural fields.
3- Evaluation of the seasonal variability in GHG emissions due to the interaction between management practices, soil conditions and microbial processes.
4- Development of sustainable management practices based on spatial and temporal simulations of empirical findings.
The AgPro4CSA project adopted a multidisciplinary & integrated approach, combining empirical field studies with process-based modelling to address key challenges in sustainable crop production systems. The project investigated the spatio-temporal dynamics of nitrous oxide emissions and associated biogeochemical processes in agricultural fields through large-scale field experiments, supported by state-of-the-art experimental facilities and detailed soil microbial and chemical analyses. Furthermore, the modification, calibration, and validation of a biogeochemical model, together with simulations of alternative field management scenarios, incorporating different crop rotations and N management strategies under variable soil and climatic conditions, provided robust, evidence-based insights into greenhouse gas mitigation potential while maintaining or improving crop productivity at the farm level.
The work carried out within each work package (WP), together with the associated results and their exploitation and dissemination, is described below:
WP1: Manual chambers were deployed across 50 locations to detect spatial hot spots and temporal hot moments in relation to microbial activities and soil chemical changes. Soil samples were analysed for microbial DNA, RNA, and qPCR to assess the abundance and activity of denitrifying bacteria & archaea. Nitrous oxide emissions were measured using LGR-ICOS laser gas analyser & compared with continuous data from flux gradient micrometeorological instruments. Data analysis involved Lorenz curves, mean relative differences, & standard deviations to identify variations in emissions. Soil temperature & volumetric water content were monitored using copper-constantan thermocouples & time domain reflectometry probes. Analyses were performed using MATLAB and R software. The Variations in microbial processes, quantified through gene abundance and activity indicators, were found to play a critical role in regulating nitrous oxide emissions. These findings advance the understanding of microbially driven greenhouse gas dynamics in agricultural systems. The results have been disseminated through presentations at conferences & seminars, & a manuscript reporting the key outcomes has been finalised.
WP2: Planar optodes were installed at various depths in lysimeter. Soil water samples were collected to monitor changes in mineral N and pH, while automatic chambers continuously monitored soil nitrous oxide fluxes, connected to a trace gas analyser. Data were analysed using R software and ImageJ, establishing correlations between soil management, N cycling, and emissions. Results showed that crop rotation and winter warming influence soil biophysiochemical processes governing nitrous oxide emissions and nitrate leaching. Two manuscripts will be published in scientific journals, focusing on the effects of crop rotation and winter warming on nitrous oxide emissions and nitrate leaching in sandy and clay loam soils, & the influence of diversified crop rotations on nitrous oxide–producing microbial communities during the spring thaw period.
WP3: A field experiment to study the impact of crop rotations and dual nitrification and urease inhibitors on nitrous oxide emissions from cover crop residues. Nitrous oxide fluxes were measured using the flux gradient approach, and data were analysed in MATLAB. Soil mineral N dynamics, temperature, and moisture were continuously monitored, and crop biomass and grain yields were recorded at harvest. The results showed that the addition of cover crops can increase nitrous oxide emissions in diversified crop rotations. However, the use of combined nitrification and urease inhibitors was found to effectively mitigate these increased emissions, reducing nitrous oxide losses to levels comparable to rotations without cover crop incorporation. The results have been published in the scientific journal. Key outcomes were also communicated to a wider audience through a popular Farmtario article and disseminated at international scientific conferences and research seminars.
WP4: I have improved and calibrated the DNDC model by incorporating preferential flow parameters to improve the simulation of soil water content. Scenario analyses were conducted to evaluate the effects of different N application rates and management strategies across multiple soil types, under contrasting climatic conditions. Using 30 years of climate data, the analyses assessed the long-term impacts of N management on environmental losses and crop productivity. A manuscript synthesising the model improvements, calibration and validation, and scenario analysis will be published in the scientific journal. The results have been disseminated through presentations at scientific conferences and research seminars.
WP1: Manual chambers were deployed across 50 locations to detect spatial hot spots and temporal hot moments in relation to microbial activities and soil chemical changes. Soil samples were analysed for microbial DNA, RNA, and qPCR to assess the abundance and activity of denitrifying bacteria & archaea. Nitrous oxide emissions were measured using LGR-ICOS laser gas analyser & compared with continuous data from flux gradient micrometeorological instruments. Data analysis involved Lorenz curves, mean relative differences, & standard deviations to identify variations in emissions. Soil temperature & volumetric water content were monitored using copper-constantan thermocouples & time domain reflectometry probes. Analyses were performed using MATLAB and R software. The Variations in microbial processes, quantified through gene abundance and activity indicators, were found to play a critical role in regulating nitrous oxide emissions. These findings advance the understanding of microbially driven greenhouse gas dynamics in agricultural systems. The results have been disseminated through presentations at conferences & seminars, & a manuscript reporting the key outcomes has been finalised.
WP2: Planar optodes were installed at various depths in lysimeter. Soil water samples were collected to monitor changes in mineral N and pH, while automatic chambers continuously monitored soil nitrous oxide fluxes, connected to a trace gas analyser. Data were analysed using R software and ImageJ, establishing correlations between soil management, N cycling, and emissions. Results showed that crop rotation and winter warming influence soil biophysiochemical processes governing nitrous oxide emissions and nitrate leaching. Two manuscripts will be published in scientific journals, focusing on the effects of crop rotation and winter warming on nitrous oxide emissions and nitrate leaching in sandy and clay loam soils, & the influence of diversified crop rotations on nitrous oxide–producing microbial communities during the spring thaw period.
WP3: A field experiment to study the impact of crop rotations and dual nitrification and urease inhibitors on nitrous oxide emissions from cover crop residues. Nitrous oxide fluxes were measured using the flux gradient approach, and data were analysed in MATLAB. Soil mineral N dynamics, temperature, and moisture were continuously monitored, and crop biomass and grain yields were recorded at harvest. The results showed that the addition of cover crops can increase nitrous oxide emissions in diversified crop rotations. However, the use of combined nitrification and urease inhibitors was found to effectively mitigate these increased emissions, reducing nitrous oxide losses to levels comparable to rotations without cover crop incorporation. The results have been published in the scientific journal. Key outcomes were also communicated to a wider audience through a popular Farmtario article and disseminated at international scientific conferences and research seminars.
WP4: I have improved and calibrated the DNDC model by incorporating preferential flow parameters to improve the simulation of soil water content. Scenario analyses were conducted to evaluate the effects of different N application rates and management strategies across multiple soil types, under contrasting climatic conditions. Using 30 years of climate data, the analyses assessed the long-term impacts of N management on environmental losses and crop productivity. A manuscript synthesising the model improvements, calibration and validation, and scenario analysis will be published in the scientific journal. The results have been disseminated through presentations at scientific conferences and research seminars.
All planned experiments, training, and complementary objectives have been accomplished. Data collection has been completed and analyzed, either fully or partially, for developing scientific manuscripts and popular articles. The results of AgPro4CSA represent a frontier in this field. For example, the high spatial analysis of microbial and chemical changes in relation to nitrous oxide emissions is unique. Additionally, the use of dual nitrification inhibitors to mitigate nitrous oxide emissions from cover crop residues in diversified crop rotation under micrometeorological experimentation facilities, and developing a process-based model based on high temporal and spatial frequency data to improve the simulation of management practices over the long term are significant achievements.
So far, results have been disseminated to a broader audience through field workshops, conferences, seminars, lectures, and supervisions. Additionally, the transfer of knowledge to the host institute through teaching and seminars.
So far, results have been disseminated to a broader audience through field workshops, conferences, seminars, lectures, and supervisions. Additionally, the transfer of knowledge to the host institute through teaching and seminars.