Integrated evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions (CO2, CH4, N2O) from two farming systems in southern Germany

Abstract Agricultural practices contribute to emissions of the greenhouse gases CO2, CH4 and N2O. The aim of this study was to determine and discuss the aggregate greenhouse gas emission (CO2, CH4 and N2O) from two different farming systems in southern Germany. Farm A consisted of 30.4 ha fields (mean fertilization rate 188 kg N per ha), 1.8 ha meadows, 12.4 ha set-aside land and 28.6 adult beef steers (year-round indoor stock keeping). Farm B followed the principles of organic farming (neither synthetic fertilizers nor pesticides were used) and it consisted of 31.3 ha fields, 7 ha meadows, 18.2 ha pasture, 5.5 ha set-aside land and a herd of 35.6 adult cattle (grazing period 6 months). The integrated assessment of greenhouse gas emissions included those from fields, pasture, cattle, cattle waste management, fertilizer production and consumption of fossil fuels. Soil N2O emissions were estimated from 25 year-round measurements on differently managed fields. Expressed per hectare farm area, the aggregate emission of greenhouse gases was 4.2 and 3.0 Mg CO2 equivalents for farms A and B, respectively. Nitrous oxide emissions (mainly from soils) contributed the major part (about 60%) of total greenhouse gas emissions in both farming systems. Methane emissions (mainly from cattle and cattle waste management) were approximately 25% and CO2 emissions were lowest (circa 15%). Mean emissions related to crop production (emissions from fields, fertilizer production, and the consumption of fossil fuels for field management and drying of crops) was 4.4 and 3.2 Mg CO2 equivalents per hectare field area for farms A and B, respectively. On average, 2.53% of total N input by synthetic N fertilizers, organic fertilizers and crop residues were emitted as N2O–N. Total annual emissions per cattle unit (live weight of 500 kg) from enteric fermentation and storage of cattle waste were about 25% higher for farm A (1.6 Mg CO2 equivalents) than farm B (1.3 Mg CO2 equivalents). Taken together, these results indicated that conversion from conventional to organic farming led to reduced emissions per hectare, but yield-related emissions were not reduced.

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