Irrigation and Fertilizer Placement Effects on Trace Gas Emissions from an Ornamental Crop.

Agriculture is a large contributor of trace gas emissions and much of the work on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has focused on row crops, pastures, forestry, and animal production systems; however, little emphasis has been placed on specialty crop industries such as horticulture. A horticulture container study using Japanese boxwood (Buxus microphylla var. japonica) was conducted to evaluate the interaction of irrigation (overhead vs drip) and fertilizer placement (top-dressed vs incorporated) on trace gas emissions (carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide). Plants were grown in 11.4 L (3 gal) containers with a 6:1 pine bark:sand growth media and fertilized with 76 g per container of Harrells (17-5-11); unfertilized (control) containers were included for background GHG emissions. All containers received 6.35 mm (0.25 in) three times daily. Gas samples were collected in situ using the static closed chamber method according standard protocols and analyzed using gas chromatography. Gas samples were collect 1-2 times per week over a total of 278 days (summer 2013 to spring 2014). Results will be discussed.