Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Methane and nitrous oxide exchange in differently fertilised grassland in southern Germany

  • Published:
Plant and Soil Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We examined the effect of fertilisation (200 kg cattle slurry-N ha−1 year−1) on the exchange of N2O and CH4 in the soil–plant system of meadow agroecosystems in southern Germany. From 1996 to 1998, we regularly determined the gas fluxes (closed chamber method) and associated environmental parameters. N2O and CH4 fluxes were not significantly affected by fertilisation. N2O fluxes at the unfertilised and fertilised plots were small, generally between 50 and –20 μg N m−2 h−1. We identified some incidents of N2O uptake. CH4-C fluxes ranged from 1.3 to –0.2 mg m−2 h−1 and were not significantly different from 0 at both plots. We budgeted an annual net emission of 15.5 and 29.6 mg m−2 N2O-N and an annual CH4-C net emission of 184.2 and 122.7 mg m−2 at the unfertilised and fertilised plots, respectively. Apparently, rapid N mineralization and uptake in the densely rooted topsoil prevents N losses and the inhibition of CH4 oxidation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allen A G, Jarvis S C and Headon D M 1996 Nitrous oxide emissions from soils due to inputs of nitrogen from excreta return by livestock on grazed grassland in the UK. Soil Biol. Biochem. 28, 597–607.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bédard C and Knowles R 1989 Physiology, biochemistry, and specific inhibitors of CH4, NH4 +, and CO oxidation by methanotrophs and nitrifiers. Microbiol. Rev. 53, 68–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bodelier P L E, Roslev P, Henckel T and Frenzel P 2000 Stimulation by ammonium-based fertilizers of methane oxidation in soil around rice roots. Nature 403, 421–424.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouwman A F 1996 Direct emission of nitrous oxide from agricultural soils. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosys. 46, 53–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brumme R, Borken W and Finke S 1999 Hierarchical control on nitrous oxide emission in forest ecosystems. Global Biogeochem. Cycles 13, 1137–1148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bubier J L, Moore T, Bellisario LM, Comer N T and Crill PM 1995 Ecological controls on methane emissions from a northern peatland complex in the zone of discontinuous permafrost, Manitoba, Canada. Global Biogeochem. Cycles 9, 455–470.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buttler A, Dinel H and Lévesque P E M 1994 Effects of physical, chemical and botanical characteristics of peat on carbon gas fluxes. Soil Sci. 158, 365–374.

    Google Scholar 

  • Castro M S, Steudler P A, Melillo J M, Aber J D and Bowden R D 1995 Factors controlling atmospheric methane consumption by temperate forest soils. Global Biogeochem. Cycles 9, 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen X, Boeckx P, Shen S and Van Cleemput O Emission of N2O from rye grass (Lolium perenne L.). Biol. Fertil. Soils 28, 393–396.

  • Clayton H, Arah J RM and Smith K A 1994 Measurement of nitrous oxide emissions from fertilized grassland using closed chambers. J. Geophys. Res. 99(D8), 16599–16607.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clayton H, McTaggart I P, Parker J, Swan L and Smith K A 1997 Nitrous oxide emissions from fertilised grassland - a two year study of the effects of N fertiliser form and environmental conditions. Biol. Fertil. Soils 25, 252–260.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Visscher A, Boeckx P, van Cleemput O 1998 Interaction between nitrous oxide formation and methane oxidation in soils: influence of cation exchange phenomena. J. Environ. Qual. 27, 679–687.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dobbie K E and Smith K A 1996 Comparison of CH4 oxidation rates in woodland, arable, and set aside soils. Soil Biol. Biochem. 28, 1357–1365.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunfield P, Knowles R, Dumont R and Moore T R 1993 Methane production and consumption in temperate and subarctic peat soils: response to temperature and pH. Soil Biol. Biochem. 25, 321–326.

    Google Scholar 

  • DWD 1998 Aufzeichnungen der Klimastationen Kißlegg-Waltershofen und Isny 1995–1998.

  • Flessa H, Dörsch P, Beese F, König H and Bouwman A F 1996 Influence of cattle wastes on nitrous oxide and methane fluxes in pasture land. J Environ. Qual. 25, 1366–1370.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flessa H, Wild U, Klemisch M, Pfadenhauer J 1998 Nitrous oxide and methane fluxes from organic soils under agriculture. Eur. J. Soil Sci. 49, 327–335.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glatzel S, Kleber M and Stahr K 1998 Lachgasflüsse im Wirtschaftsgrünland - erste Ergebnisse von der Messfläche Siggen /Neuweiher im württembergischen Allgäu. Agribiol. Res. 51, 37–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glatzel S 1999 The greenhouse gas exchange of grassland agroecosystems. Hohenheimer Bodenkundliche Hefte 52, 1–184.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glinski J and Stepniewski W 1985 Soil Aeration and its Role for Plants. CRC Press, Boca Raton. Fl, 229 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodroad L L and Keeney D R 1984 Nitrous oxide emissions from soils during thawing. Can. J. Soil Sci. 64, 187–194.

    Google Scholar 

  • Granli T and Bøckmann O C 1994 Nitrous oxide from agriculture. Norw. J. Agric. Sci. Suppl. 12, 1–128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hornig W, Mickley W and Stahr K. 1991 Genese, Eigenschaften und Verbreitung der Böden imWestallgäuer Hügelland. Jh. Geol. Landesamt Baden-Württemberg 33, 199–217.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hudgens DE and Yavitt J B 1997 Land-use effects of soil methane and carbon dioxide fluxes in forests near Ithaca, New York. Ecoscience 4, 214–222.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hütsch B W, Webster C P and Powlson, D S 1994 Methane oxidation in soil as affected by land use, soil pH and N fertilization. Soil Biol. Biochem. 26, 1613–1622.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hütsch B W, Russell P and Mengel K 1996 CH4-Oxidation in two temperate arable soils as affected by nitrate and ammonium application. Biol. Fertil. Soils 23, 86–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • IPCC 1995 IPCC Second Assessment Synthesis of Scientific-Technical Information Relevant to Interpreting Article 2 of the UNFCC. Geneva, pp.64. Internet address: http://www.ipcc.ch/pub/sarsyn.htm

  • Isermann K 1993 Nährstoffbilanzen und aktuelle Nährstoffversorgung der Böden. Ber. Landwirtsch. 207, 15–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacinthe P A and Dick W A 1997 Soil management and nitrous oxide emissions from cultivated fields in southern Ohio. Soil Tillage Res. 41, 221–235.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jorgensen B J and Jorgensen R N 1997 Field-scale and laboratory study of factors affecting N2O emissions from a rye stubble field on sandy loam soil. Biol. Fertil. Soils 25, 366–371.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joulian C, Ollivier B, Neue H U and Roger P A 1996 Microbiological aspects of methane emission by a ricefield soil from the Camargue (France) 1. Methanogenesis and related microflora. Eur. J. Soil Biol. 32, 61–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser E-A, Eiland F, Germon C, Gispert M A, Heinemeyer O, Henault C, Lind A M, Maag M, Saguer E, Van Cleemput O, Vermoesen A and Webster C 1996 What predicts nitrous oxide emissions and denitrification N-loss from European soils? Z. Pflanzenernähr Bodenk. 159, 541–547.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kammann C, Grünhage L, Müller C, Jacobi S and Jäger H J 1998 Seasonal variability and mitigation options for N2O emissions from differently managed grasslands. Environ. Pollut. 102, 179–186.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kettunen A, Kaitala V, Alm J, Silvola J, Nykanen H and Martikainen P J 1996 Cross-correlation analysis of the dynamics of methane emissions from a boreal peatland. Global Biogeochem. Cycles 10, 457–471.

    Google Scholar 

  • King G M and Schnell S 1994 Effect of increasing atmospheric methane concentration on ammonium inhibition of soil methane consumption. Nature 370, 282–284.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kleber M 1997 Carbon exchange in humid grassland soils. Hohenheimer Bodenkundliche Hefte 42, 1–264.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kretzschmar A 1999 C-Akkumulation bei Grünland in Abhängigkeit von der Düngung. PhD Thesis. Universität Hohenheim. 154 p.

  • Lessard R, Rochette P, Topp E, Pattey E, Desjardins R L and Beaumont G 1994 Methane and carbon dioxide fluxes from poorly drained adjacent cultivated and forest sites. Can. J. Soil Sci. 74, 139–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luo J, Tillman R W and Ball P R 1999 Factors regulating denitrification in a soil under pasture. Soil Biol. Biochem. 31, 913–917.

    Google Scholar 

  • Macdonald J A, Skiba U, Sheppard L J, Ball B, Roberts J D, Smith K A and Fowler D 1998 The effect of nitrogen deposition and seasonal variability on methane oxidation and nitrous oxide emission rates in an upland spruce plantation and moorland. Atmos. Environ. 31, 3693–3706.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minami K 1997 Atmospheric methane and nitrous oxide-sources, sinks,and strategies for reducing agricultural emissions. Nutrient Cycling Agroecosyst. 49, 203–211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neftel A, Blatter A, Schmid M, Lehmann B and Tarakanov S V 2000 An experimental determination of the scale length of N2O in the soil of a grassland. J. Geophys. Res. 105 (D10), 12095–12103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nesbit S P and Breitenbeck G A 1992 A laboratory study of factors influencing methane uptake by soils. Agricult. Ecosyst. Environ. 41, 39–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parsons W F J, Mitre M E, Keller M and Reiners W A 1993 Nitrate limitation of N2O production and denitrification from tropical pastures and rain forest soils. Biogeochemistry 22, 179–193.

    Google Scholar 

  • Priemé A and Christensen S 1997 Seasonal and spatial variation of methane oxidation in a Danish spruce forest. Soil Biol. Biochem. 29, 1165–1172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Röver M, Heinemeyer O and Kaiser E A 1998 Microbial induced nitrous oxide emissions from an arable soil during winter. Soil Biol. Biochem. 31, 1859–1865.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruser R, Flessa H, Schilling R, Steindl H and Beese F 1999 Soil compaction and fertilization effects on nitrous oxide and methane fluxes in potato fields. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 62, 1587–1595.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryden J C 1981 N2O exchange between a grassland soil and the atmosphere. Nature 292, 235–237.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryden J C 1983 Denitrification loss from a grassland soil in the field receiving different rates of nitrogen as ammonium nitrate. J. Soil Sci. 34, 355–365.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schiller C L and Hastie D R 1996 Nitrous oxide and methane fluxes from perturbed and unperturbed boreal forest sites in northern Ontario. J. Geophys. Res. 101(D17), 22767–22774.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmid T 1995 Wasserhaushalt und Stoffumsatz in Grünlandgebieten im württembergischen Allgäu. Tübinger Geowissenschaftliche Arbeiten, Reihe C 23, 1–145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt U, Thöni H and Kaupenjohann M 2000 Using a boundary line approach to analyze N2O flux data from agricultural soils. Nutrient Cycling Agroecosyst. 57, 119–129.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schürer E and Plesser J 1997 Geschlossene Meßkammer zur Bestimmung von Spurengasemissionen. Landtechnik 2, 80–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Segers R 1998 Methane production and methane consumption: a review of processes underlying wetland methane fluxes. Biogeochemistry 41, 23–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shannon R D and White J R 1994 A three-year study of controls on methane emissions from two Michigan peatlands. Biogeochemistry 27, 53–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skiba U, Hargreaves K J, Beverland I J, ONeill D H, Fowler D and Moncrieff J B 1996 Measurement of field scale N2O emission fluxes from a wheat crop using micrometeorological techniques. Plant Soil 181, 139–144.

    Google Scholar 

  • Striegl R G 1993 Diffusional limits to the consumption of atmospheric methane by soils. Chemosphere 26, 715–720.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swerts M, Merckx R and Vlassak K 1996 Influence of carbon availability on the production of NO, N2O, N2 and CO2 by soil cores during anaerobic incubation. Plant Soil 181, 145–151.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van de Pol-Van Dasselaer A and Van Beusichem ML 1997 Effects of grassland management on the emission of methane from intensively managed grasslands on peat soil. Plant Soil 28, 1–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van de Pol-Van Dasselaer A, Van Beusichem ML and Oenema O 1999 Determinants of spatial variability of methane emissions from wet grasslands on peat soil. Biogeochemistry 44, 221–237.

    Google Scholar 

  • Veldkamp E, Keller M and Nunez M 1998 Effects of pasture management on N2O and NO emissions from soils in the Humid Tropics of Costa Rica. Global Biogeochem. Cycles 12, 71–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Velthof G L and Oenema O 1995 Nitrous oxide fluxes from grazed grassland in the Netherlands: II. Effects of soil type, nitrogen fertilizer application and grazing. Eur. J. Soil Sci. 46, 541–549.

    Google Scholar 

  • Verchot L V, Davidson E A, Cattânio J H, Ackermann I L, Erickson H E and Keller M 1999 Land use change and biogeochemical controls of nitrogen oxide emissions from soils in eastern Amazonia. Global Biogeochem. Cycles 13, 31–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagner-Riddle C, Thurtell G, Kidd G, Beauchamp E G, and Sweetman R 1997 Estimates of nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural fields over 28 months. Can. J. Soil Sci. 77, 135–144.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whalen S C 2000 Influence of N and non-N salts on atmospheric methane oxidation by upland boreal forest and tundra soils. Biol. Fertil. Soils 31, 279–287.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whalen S C and Reeburgh W S 1996 Moisture and temperature sensitivity of CH4 oxidation in boreal soils. Soil Biol. Biochem. 28, 1271–1281.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whiting G J and Chanton J P 1992 Plant-dependent CH4 emission in a Subarctic Canadian fen. Global Biogeochem. Cycles 6, 225–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams D L, Ineson P and Coward P A (1999) Temporal variations in nitrous oxide fluxes from urine-affected grassland. Soil Biol. Biochem. 31, 779–788.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Stephan Glatzel

    Present address: Department of Geography and Centre for Climate and Global Change Research, McGill University, 805 Sherbrooke St, W., Montreal, QC, H3A 2K6, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Soil Science and Land Evaluation, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Str. 27, D-70593, Stuttgart, Germany

    Stephan Glatzel & Karl Stahr

Authors
  1. Stephan Glatzel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Karl Stahr
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephan Glatzel.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Glatzel, S., Stahr, K. Methane and nitrous oxide exchange in differently fertilised grassland in southern Germany. Plant and Soil 231, 21–35 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010315416866

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010315416866

Search

Navigation