Nitrous oxide emissions in agricultural soils: a review

Abstract

The greenhouse gases concentration in the atmosphere have significantly increased since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. The most important greenhouse gases are CO2, CH4 and N2O, with CH4 and N2O presenting global warming potentials 25 and 298 times higher than CO2, respectively. Most of the N2O emissions take place in soils and are related with agricultural activities. So, this review article aimed at presenting the mechanisms of N2O formation and emission in agricultural soils, as well as gathering and discussing information on how soil management practices may be used to reduce such emissions. The N2O formation in the soil occurs mainly through nitrification and denitrification processes, which are influenced by soil moisture, temperature, oxygen concentration, amount of available organic carbon and nitrogen and soil C/N ratio. Among these factors, those related to soil could be easily altered by management practices. Therefore, understanding the processes of N2O formation in soils and the factors influencing these emissions is fundamental to develop efficient strategies to reduce N2O emissions in agricultural soils.