Splitting the application of 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP): Influence on greenhouse gases emissions and wheat yield and quality under humid Mediterranean conditions

Wheat is among the most widely grown cereals in the world. In order to enhance its production, its management is based on the addition of nitrogen (N) fertilizers. Nevertheless, its application could increase nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, which effects are very pernicious to the environment, being a strong greenhouse gas (GHG). Regarding GHG, soil processes can also produce or consume carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). Nitrification inhibitors (NI) have been developed with the aim of decreasing fertilizer-induced N losses and increase N efficiency. The fact that the application of a NI enhances N use efficiency is a good reason to think that more N should be also available for increasing the grain N concentration of wheat plants. If the application of NI means an increase in N use efficiency, it is plausible to consider that more N would be available, hence, increasing the grain N concentration of wheat. We present a two-year field-experiment to evaluate the influence of the NI 3,4-dimethylpyrazol phosphate (DMPP) on grain yield, grain quality and GHG emissions. Fertilizer dose, with and without DMPP, was 180 kg N ha−1 applied as ammonium sulfate nitrate (ASN) splitted in two applications of 60 kg N ha−1 and 120 kg N ha−1, respectively. A treatment with a non-splitted application of ASN with DMPP and an unfertilized treatment were also included. The splitted application of ASN with DMPP was able to reduce N2O emissions, without affecting yield and its components. The alternative management of a non-splitted application of DMPP was more efficient mitigating N2O emissions, whilst keeping yield and slightly reducing grain protein content. In consequence of the low N2O fluxes from our soils, the EF applied in our region should be lower than the default value of 1% proposed by IPCC.