Organic–Inorganic Fertilization Sustains Crop Yields While Mitigating N 2 O and NO Emissions in Subtropical Wheat–Maize Systems

Yan Liu, Lei Hu, Shihang Zhang, Zhisheng Yao, Minghua Zhou and Bo Zhu ()
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Yan Liu: Key Laboratory of Mountain Surface Processes and Ecological Regulation, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610213, China
Lei Hu: Key Laboratory of Mountain Surface Processes and Ecological Regulation, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610213, China
Shihang Zhang: Key Laboratory of Mountain Surface Processes and Ecological Regulation, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610213, China
Zhisheng Yao: University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Minghua Zhou: Key Laboratory of Mountain Surface Processes and Ecological Regulation, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610213, China
Bo Zhu: Key Laboratory of Mountain Surface Processes and Ecological Regulation, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610213, China

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 10, 1-21

Abstract: Balancing food security with fertilizer-driven climate impacts remains critical in intensive agriculture. While organic–inorganic substitution enhances soil fertility, its effects on nitrous oxide (N 2 O) and nitric oxide (NO) emissions remain uncertain. This study evaluated N 2 O/NO emissions, crop yields, and agronomic parameters in a subtropical wheat–maize rotation under four fertilization regimes: inorganic-only (NPK), manure-only (OM), and partial substitution with crop residues (CRNPK, 15%) or manure (OMNPK, 30%), all applied at 280 kg N ha −1 yr −1 . Emissions aligned with the dual Arrhenius–Michaelis–Menten kinetics and revised “hole-in-the-pipe” model. Annual direct emission factors (EF d ) for N 2 O and NO were 1.01% and 0.11%, respectively, with combined emissions (1.12%) exponentially correlated to soil nitrogen surplus ( p < 0.01). CRNPK and OMNPK reduced annual N 2 O+NO emissions by 15–154% and enhanced NUE by 10–45% compared with OM, though OMNPK emitted 1.7–2.0 times more N 2 O/NO than CRNPK. Sole OM underperformed in yield, while partial substitution—particularly with crop residues—optimized productivity while minimizing environmental risks. By integrating emission modeling and agronomic performance, this study establishes CRNPK as a novel strategy for subtropical cereal systems, reconciling high yields with low greenhouse gas emissions.

Keywords: nitrogen use efficiency; crop residue substitution; soil nitrogen surplus; subtropical agroecosystems; revised “hole-in-the-pipe” model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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