Greenhouse gas emissions from organically managed potato rotations in Atlantic Canada

Gudmundur Johannesson¹, Derek Lynch², David Burton², Josee Owen³, Paul Voroney¹

Abstract
This study was initiated to investigate greenhouse gas emissions, related soil factors and nutrient budgeting from organically managed potato crop rotations in the Maritime region of Canada, as compared to conventional fertility management practices.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) flux measurements (N₂O, CH₄, CO₂) were made regularly (~bi-weekly) at two locations, Truro Nova Scotia and Bouctouche New Brunswick from spring to late fall in 2006 using a closed chamber method. The Truro site (split-split randomized complete block experimental design) is based on a two year forage rotation, either timothy or clover, while the Bouctouche site (randomized block design) was used for bean and broccoli production with variable input of compost as a nutrient source, previous to potatoes grown. Besides GHG, soil (0-15cm) samples were collected at each flux measuring date to test for inorganic nitrogen and soluble carbon status. Further data collected included moisture and temperature measurements from soil and air, and spring soil inorganic N flux using plant root nutrient simulator (PRSTM) probes. Harvest data was obtained from forages for comparison of nutrient uptake and atmospheric fixation of Nitrogen, while potato harvest measurements detailed shoot, tuber, and root biomass and N uptake.

 

1) University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1
2) Nova Scotia Agricultural College, PO Box 550, Truro NS, Canada B2N 5E3
3) Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Atlantic Food and Horticulture Research Centre, Sen. Hervé J. Michaud Research Farm 1045 St. Joseph Road, P.O. Box 2069 Bouctouche NB, Canada E4S 2J2

 

Posted February 2007