Effects of Organic Fertilizer Substitution for Chemical Fertilizer Nitrogen and Limited Irrigation on Soil Carbon Emissions in Spring Wheat Fields

TL;DR

This study examines how replacing chemical fertilizers with organic ones and reducing irrigation affects soil carbon emissions in spring wheat fields in Inner Mongolia.

Contribution

The study identifies optimal organic fertilizer substitution and irrigation strategies to balance wheat yield, water conservation, and carbon emission reduction.

Findings

Soil CO2 emissions increased with higher organic fertilizer substitution ratios and conventional irrigation.

Optimal organic-nitrogen ratios combined with water-saving irrigation maximized net carbon budget.

Water-saving irrigation at jointing and heading stages reduced carbon emissions effectively.

Abstract

The Hetao Irrigation District in Inner Mongolia is a major spring wheat production region in China. To synergize high wheat yield, water conservation, and carbon emission reduction in this region, a 2023 and 2024 field experiment was conducted. This study systematically analyzed the effects of organic fertilizer substitution for chemical nitrogen (T1:0%, T2:25%, T3:50%, T4:75%, T5:100%) on soil carbon emissions dynamics and carbon footprint of wheat fields, under two irrigation regimes: water-saving irrigation (twice at jointing and heading stages, 2W) and conventional irrigation (four times at tillering, jointing, heading, and grain-filling stages, 4W). The results showed that during the wheat-growing season, soil CO2 emission rate exhibited a single-peak trend (peak at flowering stage), while cumulative soil CO2 emission showed a “decrease-increase-decrease” pattern (peak at jointing to heading). At different growth stages, both CO2 emission and its rate increased with higher organic fertilizer substitution ratios, and were higher under 4W than 2W. Irrigation and substitution treatments significantly affected the total carbon emissions, carbon sequestration, and carbon footprint: total emissions increased with substitution ratios, while sequestration and footprint first increased then decreased; all three indices were higher under 4W than 2W. Regression analysis revealed that maximum net carbon budget was achieved at 21.6–31.7% substitution (1402.3–1879.9 kg ha−1) under 2W, and 31.0–33.8% substitution (2295.5–2822.0 kg ha−1) under 4W. In conclusion, water-saving irrigation (900 m3 ha−1 per application at jointing and heading stages) combined with an optimal organic-nitrogen ratio (1008.0 kg ha−1 organic fertilizer, 193.1 kg ha−1 chemical nitrogen) effectively coordinates water conservation and carbon emission reduction. This study provides a basis for synergizing these goals in Hetao’s wheat production.

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