Effects of Agricultural Residues-Mixed Livestock Manure on Chinese Cabbage Growth and Nitrous Oxide (N2O) Emissions

This study evaluated whether compost produced by agricultural residues-mixed livestock manure could improve crop productivity and soil quality while reducing inorganic fertilizer use and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions in upland cultivation of autumn Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L.). Direct incorporation of crop residues often provides limited benefits due to slow decomposition and nitrogen immobilization; therefore, residues were aerobically co-composted with livestock manure and applied in combination with inorganic fertilizers. The results showed that treatments receiving the agricultural residue–manure compost significantly increased cabbage growth and yield. In particular, the treatment combining compost with 50% the recommended inorganic fertilizer rate produced higher yields than the 100% inorganic fertilizer treatment alone. Compost application improved soil chemical properties, including higher pH, organic carbon, available phosphorus, and exchangeable base cations, and enhanced nitrogen uptake and nitrogen use efficiency. Moreover, cumulative N₂O emissions were reduced by about 21% in the 50% rate inorganic fertilizer plus compost treatment compared with inorganic fertilizer alone. Overall, these findings indicate that co-composted agricultural residues and livestock manure can serve as an effective soil amendment, maintaining high crop productivity while lowering greenhouse gas emissions and reducing reliance on inorganic fertilizers, thereby supporting more sustainable nutrient management in upland cropping systems. Acknowledgments This study was supported by (2026) the RDA Fellowship Program of National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Research Program for Agriculture Science and Technology Development (Project No. RS-2022-RD010368), Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.