Deficit irrigation impacts on greenhouse gas emissions under drip-fertigated maize in the Great Plains of Colorado

Precise water and fertilizer application can increase crop water productivity and reduce agricultural contributions to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Regulated deficit irrigation (DI) and drip fertigation control the amount, location, and timing of water and nutrient application. Yet, few studies have measured GHG emissions under these practices, especially for maize (Zea mays L.). The objective was to quantify N2O and CO2 emission from DI and full irrigation (FI) within a drip-fertigated maize system in northeastern Colorado. During two growing seasons of measurement, treatments consisted of mild, moderate, and extreme DI and FI. Deficit irrigation was managed based on growth stage so that full evapotranspiration (ET) was met during the yield-sensitive reproductive stage, but less than full crop ET was applied during the late vegetative and maturation growth stages. In the first year, mild DI (90% ET) reduced N2O emissions by 50% compared with FI. In the second year, compared with FI, moderate DI (69-80% ET) reduced N2O emissions by 15%, and extreme DI (54-68% ET) reduced N2O emissions by 40%. Only extreme DI in the second year significantly reduced CO2 emissions (by 30%) compared with FI. Mild DI reduced yield-scaled emissions in the first year, but moderate and extreme DI had similar yield-scaled emissions as FI in the second year. The surface drip fertigation resulted in total GHG emissions that were one-tenth of literature-based measurements from sprinkler-irrigated maize systems. This study illustrates the potential of DI and drip fertigation to reduce N2O and CO2 emissions in irrigated cropping systems.

Automated summary

Precise water and fertilizer application can increase crop water productivity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture. This study focuses on the effects of regulated deficit irrigation on N2O and CO2 emissions in a drip-fertigated maize system and finds that moderate deficit irrigation can significantly reduce N2O emissions, while extreme deficit irrigation can also reduce CO2 emissions.