In-field management of corn cob and residue mix: Effect on soil greenhouse gas emissions

In-field management practices of corn cob and residue mix (CRM) as a feedstock source for ethanol production can have potential effects on soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of CRM piles, storage in-field, and subsequent removal on soil CO2 and N2O emissions. The study was conducted in 2010-2012 at the Iowa State University, Agronomy Research Farm located near Ames, Iowa (42.0°′N; 93.8°′W). The soil type at the site is Canisteo silty clay loam (fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, calcareous, mesic Typic Endoaquolls). The treatments for CRM consisted of control (no CRM applied and no residue removed after harvest), early spring complete removal (CR) of CRM after application of 7.5 cm depth of CRM in the fall, 2.5 cm, and 7.5 cm depth of CRM over two tillage systems of no-till (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) and three N rates (0, 180, and 270 kg N ha−1) of 32% liquid UAN (NH4NO3) in a randomized complete block design with split-split arrangements. The findings of the study suggest that soil CO2 and N2O emissions were affected by tillage, CRM treatments, and N rates. Most N2O and CO2 emissions peaks occurred as soil moisture or temperature increased with increase precipitation or air temperature. However, soil CO2 emissions were increased as the CRM amount increased. On the other hand, soil N2O emissions increased with high level of CRM as N rate increased. Also, it was observed that NT with 7.5 cm CRM produced higher CO2 emissions in drought condition as compared to CT. Additionally, no differences in N2O emissions were observed due to tillage system. In general, dry soil conditions caused a reduction in both CO2 and N2O emissions across all tillage, CRM treatments, and N rates.