Nie S.-W., Chen Y.-Q., Egrinya E.A., Sui P., Huang J.-X.
Research Center of Circular Agriculture, China Agriculture University, Beijing 100193, China; National Soil Fertility, Fertilizer Effects long-term Monitoring Net work-Zhengzhou Fluvo-aquic Stn, Key Field Scientific Observation Station of Zhengzhou Fluvo-
Nie, S.-W., Research Center of Circular Agriculture, China Agriculture University, Beijing 100193, China, National Soil Fertility, Fertilizer Effects long-term Monitoring Net work-Zhengzhou Fluvo-aquic Stn, Key Field Scientific Observation Station of Zhengzhou Fluvo-aquic Soils Ecology Environment, Ministry of Agrl, Inst of Plant nutrient and Environmental Resources, Henan Academy of Agrl Sci, Zhengzhou 450002, China; Chen, Y.-Q., Research Center of Circular Agriculture, China Agriculture University, Beijing 100193, China; Egrinya, E.A., Department of Soil Science Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management, University of Calabar, Nigeria; Sui, P., Research Center of Circular Agriculture, China Agriculture University, Beijing 100193, China; Huang, J.-X., Research Center of Circular Agriculture, China Agriculture University, Beijing 100193, China
Accumulation of nitrate in soil increases the risk of nitrate leaching and hence ground water nitrate pollution. The impact of maize intercropping with ryegrass and alfalfa on environment in farming systems has been little studied in China. Using the life cycle assessment (LCA) method, we analyzed the effects of different cropping systems (sole maize (CK), maize + ryegrass (CRT), and maize + alfalfa (CAT)) on the environment. The comprehensive index of environmental impacts varied in the order, sole maiz>maize + ryegrass>maize + alfalfa, with corresponding values of 0.1421, 0.1353 and 0.1299, respectively. The results showed that intercropping maize with alfalfa and ryegrass could reduce the adverse effects of over- application of nitrogen fertilizer on the environment. The study further demonstrated that the LCA method may be a convenient and effective approach for analyzing the environmental impact of fertilizer management in agricultural fields.
nitrogen fertilizer; pesticide; acidification; alfalfa; article; controlled study; cropping system; ecotoxicity; environmental impact; eutrophication; fertilizer application; field study; greenhouse effect; human; intercropping; life cycle assessment; Lolium; maize; nonhuman; plant seed; soil pollution; water pollution