Explain the mechanisms by which no-till agriculture enhances carbon sequestration in soils and reduces emissions of nitrous oxide, methane, and carbon dioxide, respectively.
Zero-tillage, an agricultural practice that minimizes soil disturbance, can increase soil aggregation and may preserve and/or accumulate SOC which is critical to meet global targets for soil carbon sequestration. 'No-till' (NT) agriculture, which eliminates nearly all physical disturbance of the soil surface on croplands, has been widely promoted as a means of soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration with the potential to mitigate climate change. Soil carbon sequestration potential depends on the level of aggregation. It has been hypothesized that zero-tillage increases not only the proportion of macro aggregates but also the quantity of micro aggregates formed within macro aggregates. Increasing soil carbon is accomplished in various ways, including: (1) reducing soil disturbance by switching to low-till or no-till practices or planting perennial crops; (2) changing planting schedules or rotations, such as by planting cover crops or double crops instead of leaving fields fallow; (3) managed grazing. Nitrous oxide can result from various agricultural soil management activities, such as application of synthetic and organic fertilizers and other cropping practices, the management of manure, or burning of agricultural residues. CO2 accounts for about 76 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions. Methane, primarily from agriculture, contributes 16 percent of greenhouse gas emissions and nitrous oxide, mostly from industry and agriculture, contributes 6 percent to global emissions. Soil carbon sequestration means adopting practices most often in the agricultural sector that increase the amount of carbon stored in soils. Agricultural management practices might include: increasing plant growth or cover and adding compost or mulch. Use minimum tillage for cropping. This minimizes organic matter breakdown and the release of nitrous oxide and nitrogen gas. Prevent water logging. Under waterlogged conditions, nitrate can be denitrified by soil bacteria to form nitrous oxide and nitrogen gas. Conservation tillage is expected to have a positive effect on soil physical properties, soil Carbon (C) storage, while reducing fuel, labour and machinery costs. However, reduced tillage could increase soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and offset the expected gains from increased C sequestration. However, the use of tillage can stimulate loss of soil organic carbon (C) to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO2). Losses of CO2 may depend upon the degree of soil disturbance. The loss of soil carbon can reduce soil productivity, increase the need for fertilizer inputs, and reduce farm profits.