Effects of phosphate, carbonate, and silicate anions on CO2 emission in a typical oxisol from cerrado region

The effects of agricultural practices on greenhouse gases emissions (e.g. CO2) at the soil-atmosphere interface have been highlighted worldwide. The use of ground limestone has been considered as the main responsible for CO2 emission from soils. However, liming is need as conditioner of acidic soils and the CO2 emission can be compensated due to carbon sequestration by plants. This study simulated under laboratory conditions the effects of two common agricultural practices in Brazil (P-fertilization and liming) on soil CO2 emission. Columns made of PVC tubes containing 1 kg of a typical Dystrophic Red Latosol from Cerrado region were incubated with CaCO3 (simulating liming), CaSiO3 (simulating slag), and different doses of KH2PO4 (simulating P-fertilization). The soil columns were moistened to reach the field capacity (0.30 cm3 cm-3) and, during 36 days, CO2 emissions at the soil surface were measured using a portable Licor LI-8100 analyzer coupled to a dynamic chamber. The results showed that CO2 emission was influenced by phosphate, carbonate, and silicate anions. When using CaSiO3, accumulated CO2 emission (36-day period) was 20% lower if compared to the use of CaCO3. The same amount of phosphate and liming (Ca-carbonate or Ca-silicate) added to the soil provided the same amount of CO2 emission. At the same P dose, as Si increased the CO2 emission increased. The highest CO2 emission was observed when the soil was amended with the highest phosphate and silicate doses. Based on this experiment, we could oppose the claim that the use of limestone is a major villain for CO2 emission. Also, we have shown that other practices, such as fertilization using P + CaSiO3, contributed to a higher CO2 emission. Indeed, it is important to emphasize that the best practices of soil fertility management will undoubtedly contribute to the growth of crops and carbon sequestration.