Crop diversification in soybean production systems mitigates GHG emissions and enhances soybean yield under no-till management in the Brazilian Cerrado

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of crop diversification on the soil emissions of CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O in soybean production systems under no-till management in the Brazilian Cerrado. Five production systems were analyzed: soybean–maize succession (S1); soybean–Urochloa ruziziensis succession (S2); soybean–crotalaria succession followed by maize intercropped with U. ruziziensis (S3); rotation of soybean and crotalaria followed by soybean and maize intercropped with U. ruziziensis for 12 months (S4); rotation of soybean and millet followed by soybean and crotalaria; and finally, maize intercropped with U. ruziziensis (S5). The highest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions occurred during the rainy season, regardless of the production system. For CO₂, between 56% and 65% of the annual emissions occurred during this period. With respect to CH₄, system S3 presented the highest average emission (0.44 kg ha⁻¹), followed by S1 (0.37 kg ha⁻¹) and S5 (0.19 kg ha⁻¹). For N₂O, systems S1 and S2 emitted an average of 0.38 kg ha⁻¹ of N‒N₂O during the rainy season, which were 30%, 40%, and 45% greater than those observed in systems S3, S4, and S5, respectively. The more diversified agricultural systems proved to be a strategic and promising alternative for reducing GHG emissions in Cerrado soils, contributing to more sustainable and efficient agriculture.

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