The impact of irrigation intensity on nitrous oxide emissions and lint yield of irrigated cotton at Emerald, Qld in 2015–16

2015

Research organisaton
Funding sources

Trial details

Researcher(s) Annabelle McPherson (NSW DPI)
Graeme Schwenke (NSW DPI)
Year(s) 2015
Contributor Department of Primary Industries NSW
Trial location(s) Emerald, QLD
Further information View external link
The impact of irrigation intensity on nitrous oxide emissions and lint yield of irrigated cotton at Emerald, Qld in 2015–16 locations
Aims

To assess the impact of two alternative cotton irrigation strategies on soil mineral N: crop production and N2O emissions. 

Key messages
  • Increasing siphon pipe diameter used for flood irrigation, from 42 mm to 63 mm halved irrigation time, reduced the amount of water applied per irrigation, and increased cotton lint yield and lint quality.
  • The longer irrigation time increased soil water content for up to a week post irrigation, and likely led to waterlogging effects on cotton plant growth.
  • The maximum daily nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions occurred in response to the first irrigation event after pre-plant nitrogen (N) application and continued for more than a week after irrigation.
  • The highest N2O emissions in each plot came from the non-irrigated side of the plant bed where surface soil nitrate concentrations were also highest – despite pre-plant N fertiliser being applied evenly to both sides of the plant bed.
  • Postharvest, excess soil nitrate was found to depth in the non-irrigated side of the plant bed, indicating that nitrate moved both sideways and downwards during the season.
     
Lead research organisation Department of Primary Industries NSW
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source DPI NSW AOTG14013
Trial funding source DAWR AOTG14013
Related program Determining optimum nitrogen strategies for abatement of emissions for different irrigated cotton systems
Acknowledgments

This experiment was part of the project Determining optimum nitrogen strategies for abatement of emissions for different irrigated cotton systems (AOTG14013; 2013–17), with joint investment by NSW DPI and DAWR, and administered by CRDC. Thanks to Cam Geddes for providing the experimental site and applying the irrigation treatments and to Amanda Noone for field measurements. All soil and plant N analyses were carried out by Clarence Mercer at the ISO9001-accredited laboratory at Tamworth Agricultural Institute, NSW DPI.


Other trial partners Co-operator: Cam Geddes
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Other crop: Cotton
Treatment type(s)
  • Irrigation: Rate
  • Irrigation: Timing
  • Management systems: Other
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Randomised,Replicated,Blocked

Emerald 2015

Sowing machinery

Sicot 75RRF

Sow date 10 September 2015
Harvest date 23 February 2016
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 3
Plot blocking Randomised complete block
Plot randomisation Yes
Other trial notes

This research paper is an extract from the publication Northern grains Research Results 2017, available at
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/802900/NNSWRR2017-web-access-fixedMar2018.pdf

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information
Trial source data and summary not available
Check the trial report PDF for trial results.
Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Emerald, QLD Vertisol
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Emerald, QLD Kandosol
Soil Moisture Source: BOM/ANU
Average amount of water stored in the soil profile during the year, estimated by the OzWALD model-data fusion system.
Year Emerald QLD
2015 410.7mm
2014 392.5mm
2013 446.4mm
2012 575.8mm
2011 595.3mm
2010 585.6mm
2009 527.6mm
2008 546.8mm
2007 478.3mm
2006 393.6mm
2005 358.3mm
2004 286.2mm
2003 276.1mm
2002 363.1mm
2001 525.4mm
2000 593.0mm
National soil grid Source: CSIRO/TERN
NOTE: National Soil Grid data is aggregated information for background information on the wider area
Actual soil values can vary significantly in a small area and the trial soil tests are the most relevant data where available

Soil properties

Loading

Climate

Emerald QLD 2015


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 401mm

Derived climate information

Emerald QLD

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
Loading
Loading
Loading

Some data on this site is sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology

SILO weather estimates sourced from https://www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au/silo/
Jeffrey, S.J., Carter, J.O., Moodie, K.B. and Beswick, A.R. (2001). Using spatial interpolation to construct a comprehensive archive of Australian climate data , Environmental Modelling and Software, Vol 16/4, pp 309-330. DOI: 10.1016/S1364-8152(01)00008-1.

Trial report and links

2015 trial report



Trial last modified: 05-06-2023 15:24pm AEST