Changes in patterns of fertilizer nitrogen use in Asia and its consequences for N2O emissions from agricultural systems

In most soils, formation and emissions of N2O to the atmosphere are enhanced by an increase in available mineral nitrogen (N) through increased rates of nitrification and denitrification. Therefore, addition of N, whether in the form of organic or inorganic compounds eventually leads to enhanced N2O emissions. Global N2O emissions from agricultural systems have previously been related primarily to fertilizer N input from synthetic sources. Little attention has been paid to N input from other N sources or to the N2O produced from N that has moved through agricultural systems. In a new methodology used to estimate N2O emissions on the country or regional scale, that is briefly described in this paper, the anthropogenic N input data used include synthetic fertilizer, animal waste (feces and urine) used as fertilizer, N derived from enhanced biological N-fixation through N2 fixing crops and crop residue returned to the field. Using FAO database information which includes data on synthetic fertilizer consumption, live animal production and crop production and estimates of N input from recycling of animal and crop N, estimates of total N into Asian agricultural systems and resulting N2O emissions are described over the time period 1961 through 1994.