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In this paper we discuss three topics concerning N₂O emissions from agricultural systems. First, we present an appraisal of N₂O emissions from agricultural soils (Assessment). Secondly, we discuss some recent efforts to improve N₂O flux estimates in agricultural fields (Measurement), and finally, we relate recent studies which use nitrification inhibitors to decrease N₂O emissions from N-fertilized fields (Mitigation). To assess the global emission of N₂O from agricultural soils, the total flux should represent N₂O from all possible sources; native soil N, N from recent atmospheric deposition, past years fertilization, N from crop residues, N₂O from subsurface aquifers below the study area, and current N fertilization. Of these N sources only synthetic fertilizer and animal manures and the area of fields cropped with legumes have sufficient global data to estimate their input for N₂O production. The assessment of direct and indirect N₂O emissions we present was made by multiplying the amount of fertilizer N applied to agricultural lands by 2% and the area of land cropped to legumes by 4 kg N₂O-N ha⁻¹. No regard to method of N application, type of N, crop, climate or soil was given in these calculations, because the data are not available to include these variables in large scale assessments. Improved assessments should include these variables and should be used to drive process models for field, area, region and global scales. Several N₂O flux measurement techniques have been used in recent field studies which utilize small and ultralarge chambers and micrometeorological along with new analytical techniques to measure N₂O fluxes. These studies reveal that it is not the measurement technique that is providing much of the uncertainty in N₂O flux values found in the literature but rather the diverse combinations of physical and biological factors which control gas fluxes. A careful comparison of published literature narrows the range of observed fluxes as noted in the section on assessment. An array of careful field studies which compare a series of crops, fertilizer sources, and management techniques in controlled parallel experiments throughout the calendar year are needed to improve flux estimates and decrease uncertainty in prediction capability. There are a variety of management techniques which should conserve N and decrease the amount of N application needed to grow crops and to limit N₂O emissions. Using nitrification inhibitors is an option for decreasing fertilizer N use and additionally directly mitigating N₂O emissions. Case studies are presented which demonstrate the potential for using nitrification inhibitors to limit N₂O emissions from agricultural soils. Inhibitors may be selected for climatic conditions and type of cropping system as well as the type of nitrogen (solid mineral N, mineral N in solution, or organic waste materials) and applied with the fertilizers.

Soil deficiencies of zinc (Zn) and boron (B) limit crop production in Nepal. Improving the micronutrient status of plants would increase yield and increase micronutrient content of the seeds, leading to better nutrition of the progeny crop and to improved human micronutrient nutrition. The primary micronutrient problem in grain legumes is B deficiency, while in rice (Oryza sativa), Zn deficiency is more important, and wheat (Triticum aestivum) suffers from both deficiencies. A series of field experiments was carried out over two seasons to compare soil fertilization and micronutrient seed priming as methods of improving Zn and B nutrition of each crop. Micronutrient treatments were evaluated for their effect on grain yield and grain micronutrient content. Soil B fertilization increased B content of the grain of lentil (Lens culinaris), chickpea (Cicer arietinum), and wheat by a factor of two to five, while increasing the yield of chickpea only. Soil fertilization with Zn had no effect on yield of any crop, but resulted in a small increase in Zn in wheat grain. Sowing micronutrient-primed seeds had no effect on yield or micronutrient content of the progeny seeds in most cases. During the first season, the primed chickpea seeds failed to emerge at either site, causing complete yield loss, but this negative effect was not observed in the second season with similar priming treatments at nearby sites, and no effect of priming on yield was observed with any other crop in either season.

Agricultural crop and animal production systems are important sources and sinks for atmospheric methane (CH4). The major CH4 sources from this sector are ruminant animals, flooded rice fields, animal waste and biomass burning which total about one third of all global emissions.

The rice root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne graminicola is an important pathogen, impacting rice, wheat and possibly vegetable production in South-East Asia. Ten isolates of M. graminicola from broad geographic areas were compared using traditional and molecular methods. Total body length, oesophageal length, maximum body width and tail length were measured in 40 juveniles and the perineal patterns of 10 females per isolate were compared. Pathogenicity was determined on a variety of hosts. The internally transcribed spacer (ITS) region was amplified and sequenced to confirm the identity and phylogenetic relationships of the isolates. Substantial variation observed in morphometric measurements among and within isolates did not correlate with the geographic source of the isolates. All the isolates were similar in host range, but the M. graminicola -Florida isolate differed from the other nine isolates in that it was not pathogenic to rice cvv. Labelle, LA 110, Cocodrie, BR 11 or Mansuli, suggesting that M. graminicola consists of more than one race. ITS sequences of all 10 isolates matched with those of M. graminicola in GenBank and formed a single clade in the phylogenetic analysis with minor variations among and within isolates. Multiple ITS sequences occurred within individual juveniles in some of the isolates.

Soil management practices that involve additions of organic materials may influence plant sulfur availability in highly-weathered, acid soils. This study evaluated the effects of organic additions on sulfate adsorption and sulfur availability in a limed (3.41 ha⁻¹) and unlimed Typic Haplustox soil of the Cerrado Region of Brazil. In unlimed soil, the proportion of applied sulfate (600 kg S ha⁻¹ as gypsum) that was adsorbed temporarily decreased over two cropping seasons by incorporation of 101 dry matter ha⁻¹ crop⁻¹ of guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.) but not when a similar quantity of a tropical legume, feijão de porco (Canavalia ensiformis L.), was added. Liming reduced sulfate adsorption and resulted in sulfate leaching to a depth of 30 to 45 cm. Both plant materials temporarily reduced sulfate adsorption in laboratory studies when added to an unlimed soil at a rate equivalent to 401 ha⁻¹. Analysis of soil properties affected by organic additions and liming showed significant correlations between sulfate adsorption and soil pH, extractable aluminum, calcium and magnesium, and surface charge. Maize dry matter yields increased by 1.3 to 3.51 ha⁻¹ with addition of both organic materials. However, only the feijão de porco treatment resulted in increases in sulfur uptake for the years in which organic materials were applied. Determining the effects of organic material additions on plant sulfur availability is complicated by the combined effects of sulfur mineralization, sulfate adsorption, and the plant's ability to utilize adsorbed subsoil sulfate.

The goals of sustainable food production and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions may be in conflict when green manures are used in flooded rice systems. A field study was initiated in early spring 1992 near Sacramento, California to quantify the potential for enhanced methane emissions following a green manure amendment to rice. Replicate flux measurements were made twice a day every 3-4 days throughout the growing season in four treatment plots: burned rice straw, spring incorporated rice straw, burned straw plus purple vetch and spring incorporated straw plus vetch. Seasonal methane emissions ranged from 66-136 g CH4 m-2 and were 1.5 to 1.8 times higher from the straw plus vetch treatments relative to the straw only treatments. No significant differences in emissions were found between the two straw only treatments or the straw plus vetch treatments. Methane fluxes were exponentially related to soil temperature, but no effect of redox potential or floodwater depth were observed. The potential impact of these results on the global methane budget is discussed.