Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels of a Conventional Vineyard in a Mediterranean Climate

Estíbaliz Rodrigo-García, Rebeca Murillo-Peña, Teresa Garde-Cerdán, Eva P. Pérez-Álvarez, and José M. Martínez-Vidaurre

ICVV, Instituto de Ciencias de la Vid y del Vino (Gobierno de La Rioja, Universidad de La Rioja, CSIC), Spain

Abstract: In this study, the emission levels of the three greenhouse gases of importance in agriculture, carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄) in a vineyard of the DOCa Rioja are evaluated. The magnitude of the flows of these gases is studied in relation to conventional soil management under the influence of Mediterranean climatic conditions (precipitation and temperature). The selected plant material is a commercial Vitis vinifera L. cv. Tempranillo blanco vineyard from the DOCa. Rioja, growing in a Typic Haploxerepts soil, subgroup of the Inceptisols Order. The experimental design consisted of the selection of 3 homogeneous subplots in 2018. Simultaneous identification and quantification of CO₂, N₂O and CH₄ was conducted using a new methodology combining gas chromatography with a mass detector and an electron microcapture detector (GC/MS/ECD). Analysis of the results shows that emissions depend on climatic variations, especially in the wetter seasons. Differences in GHG fluxes were also detected between alleys and rows, associated with the different agricultural practices applied, such as tillage and irrigation.