AbstractAgroecosystems in arid and semi-arid regions face growing risks of climate extremes and soil degradation. The addition of exogenous carbon can restore degraded soils by adding soil organic carbon, but its effects on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and global warming mitigation remain elusive. This study evaluated emissions of three major GHGs–nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane (CH4)–following soil amendment with biochar, compost, and a biochar + compost (BC) mixture. Biochar application reduced cumulative N2O–N and CH4–C emissions by 52% and 16%, respectively. Soil CH4–C emissions were generally negative, being lowest with biochar and highest with compost. During the crop season, average CO2–C and N2O–C emissions were 75% and 45% greater, respectively, while CH4–C was 66% less compared to the no-crop season. Increasing soil moisture content increased N2O–N emissions (R2 = 0.39), while soil temperature influenced CH4–C emissions (R2 = 0.37). Among amendments, biochar-treated soil had the lowest cumulative N2O–N and CH4–C emissions, reducing net global warming potential (GWP) by 43% and 30%, respectively, compared to compost-treated soil and control (CTRL). Biochar amendment can be a climate-smart strategy for semi-arid regions as it improves soil health and mitigates GWP by reducing N2O and CH4 emissions.
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All methods were carried out in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture and New Mexico State University. The study was conducted following the standard GHG emissions and soil and plant sampling protocol.
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KeywordsSoil amendmentsNitrous oxide emissionsClimate changeDry environmentsHigh-frequency monitoring More