Articles | Volume 23, issue 19
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-7151-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-7151-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
12 Oct 2026
Research article |
| 12 Oct 2026
| 12 Oct 2026
What matters when? Temporal development of drivers and sources of nitrous oxide emissions in winter wheat
Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Iris Feigenwinter
Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Lorenz Allemann
Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Lukas Hörtnagl
Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Frank Liebisch
Department of Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Zurich, Switzerland
Nina Buchmann
Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Short summary
Fertilized cropland is a major source of nitrous oxide, but when and why it is emitted within a season is still poorly known. We measured it continuously above a Swiss winter wheat field for a year. Emissions exceeded those typical for wheat, and machine learning showed they peaked during crop establishment and early spring, when wet soil and large amounts of nitrogen met low plant uptake. Vigorous growth lowered emissions, so matching nitrogen supply to plant demand is a promising lever.
Fertilized cropland is a major source of nitrous oxide, but when and why it is emitted within a...
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