PhD Oral Defense: Chemical properties of organic amendments influence nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural soils

PhD Oral Defense of Anaïs Charles, Natural Resource Sciences.

Prediction of organic amendment (OA) potential to emit soil nitrous oxide (POA-N2O) is difficult because of variable composition of OAs and of complex interactions with soil properties and environmental conditions.

The objectives of this thesis were (1) to conduct a meta-analysis of on-field N2O emissions following OA application to agricultural soils to assess global emission factor (EF) for all organic sources, EForg, and its modulation by environmental and management-related factors; (2) to determine how experimental conditions affect the POA-N2O and select optimal conditions for assessment; (3) to measure the immediate (P1), short- (P2) and medium-term (P3) POA-N2O with the selected incubation method and then, relate P1, P2, and P3 to the physico-chemical characteristics of more than 131 OAs.

Everyone in the McGill community is welcome to attend a PhD oral defense. Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of our PhD candidates.