Effect of soil types and nitrogen fertilizer on nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide emissions in oil palm plantations

AbstractOil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) production in Indonesia and Malaysia is currently the focus of concern due to its potential impact on the environment via greenhouse gas emissions. Oil palm plantations have been reported to release large quantities of nitrous oxide (N2O) into the atmosphere, which is most likely linked to nitrogen (N) fertilizer use. However, there are still limited studies comparing effects of the type of soil and N fertilizer on N2O and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of soil types and N fertilizer on N2O and CO2 emissions in oil palm plantations. N2O and CO2 emissions were measured for 15–16 months from 2010–2012 in Tunggal sandy loam soil, Indonesia, and in Simunjan sandy soil and Tatau peat soil, Malaysia. Within each site, treatments with coated fertilizer and conventional fertilizer, and unfertilized with and without tillage, were established. N2O and CO2 fluxes showed high variabilities with seasons, types of soil and fertilizer t...