Nitrous oxide emissions from soil during soybean [(Glycine max (L.) Merrill] crop phenological stages and stubbles decomposition period

The purpose of this study was to evaluate, during the phenological stages of inoculated soybean crop [Glycine max (L.) Merrill], the effect of different N fertilization levels and inoculation with Bradyrhizobium japonicum on N 2O emissions from the soil. Gas emissions were evaluated at field conditions by the static-chamber method. Nitrogen fertilization increased N 2O emissions significantly (P<0.05). The variable that best explained cumulative N2O emissions during the whole soybean growing season was the soil nitrate level (r 2=0.1899; P=0.0231). Soil moisture presented a greater control on N2O emissions between the grain-filling period and the crop commercial maturity (r 2=0.5361; P