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Effect of Water-Filled Pore Space on Carbon Dioxide and Nitrous Oxide Production in Tilled and Nontilled Soils¹

ABSTRACT

The percentage of soil pore space filled with water (percent water-filled pores, % WFP), as determined by water content and total porosity, appears to be closely related to soil microbial activity under different tillage regimes. Soil incubated in the laboratory at 60% WFP supported maximum aerobic microbial activity as determined by CO₂ production and O₂ uptake. In the field, % WFP of surface no-tillage soils (0–75 mm) at four U.S. locations averaged 62% at time of sampling, whereas that for plowed soils was 44%. This difference in % WFP was reflected in 3.4 and 9.4 times greater CO₂ and N₂O production, respectively, from surface no-tillage soils over a 24-h period as compared to plowed soils. At a depth of 75 to 150 mm, % WFP values increased in both no-tillage and plowed soils, averaging approximately 70% for no tillage compared with 50 to 60% for plowed soils. Production of CO₂ in the plowed soils was enhanced by the increased % WFP, resulting in little or no difference in CO₂ production between tillage treatments. Nitrous oxide production, however, remained greater under no-tillage conditions. Substantially greater amounts of N₂O were produced from the N-fertilized soils, regardless of tillage practice. Production of CO₂ and N₂O was primarily related to the % WFP of tillage treatments although, in several instances, soil-water-soluble C and NO^-₃ levels were important as well. Calculations of relative aerobic microbial activity between no-tillage and plowed soils, based on differences in % WFP relative to maximum activity at 60%, indicated linear relationships for CO₂ and N₂O production between WFP values of 30 to 70%. Below 60% WFP, water limits microbial activity, but above 60%, aerobic microbial activity decreases—apparently the result of reduced aeration.

¹ Contribution from the Agricultural Research Service, USDA, in cooperation with the Nebraska Agric. Exp. Stn., Lincoln. Published with the approval of the Director as Paper no. 7125, Journal Series.

² Research Associate, University of Minnesota, St. Paul (formerly Research Technologist, Univ. Nebraska-Lincoln), and Soil Scientist, ARS, USDA, Lincoln, NE.

Received for publication March 9, 1983. Accepted for publication June 8, 1984.

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