Dr. Hiroshi Kubota and his team are comparing nitrous oxide emissions and soil carbon in reduced tillage, standard tillage and integrated crop-livestock systems during the transitional period from conventional to organic production. Their research will also examine soil quality indicators, nitrogen uptake, and economics to identify best practices for both environmental and economic sustainability.
Research Objectives
- Identify a better cropping system for reducing GHG emissions during the organic transitional period
- Estimate the effects of three cropping systems on C sequestration during the organic transitional period
- Determine the effects of livestock integration on N uptake in crops during the organic transitional period
- Evaluate the whole-farm economic outcome of three cropping systems during the organic transitional period
Progress and Results
Research Update (March 2026)
KEY TAKEAWAYS (PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS)
- Protocols were adjusted to address previous years’ challenges.
- Canada thistle was added as a factor in evaluating cropping systems.
- Methane represents a large portion of the GHG balance in organic transition systems, given that nitrous oxide emissions are limited because of the omission of nitrogen fertilizer. In systems that include livestock, it could be an important consideration to balance enteric methane produced from including ruminants. (Marchesan 2026 – poster linked in PDF and in Additional Links and Resources below)
Research Update (March 2025)
KEY TAKEAWAYS (PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS)
- Field plots were successfully established, including integration of livestock.
- During the first year of transition, no significant differences were observed in nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide emissions among the three cropping systems.
- First year observations indicate that rainfall events contributed to higher flux of nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide regardless of cropping system.
Additional Links and Resources
Poster (Feb 2026) The Role of Methane in Carbon Cycling within Organic Crop Production
Video (Feb 2025) Organic Alberta Webinar: Exploring Organic Agricultural Research: Farming Practices and Soil Carbon
Poster (May 2024) Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Carbon Sequestration During a Transition to Organic Agriculture. First-year greenhouse gas emission data presented by MSc student, Alessia Marchesan.
Video (April 2024) Innovations in Organic Agriculture. A light-hearted view of the research journey by University of Alberta I_STEAM Pathways intern student, Erik (Jaime) Stone.
Background Information
From the research activity proposal:
Organic agriculture is considered to be a sustainable method of crop production, yet there is potential for further improvement of its sustainability through reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improving soil carbon (C) sequestration. Conservation tillage practices have potential for mitigating GHG emissions and promoting soil C sequestration. However, the adoption of reduced/no-till practices in organic crop production is still challenging because tillage is the foremost vital practice for weed and nutrient management. Furthermore, there are still knowledge gaps regarding organic agriculture as an opportunity to reduce GHG emissions and improve soil C sequestration in western Canada. A whole system approach could alleviate GHG emissions and increase C sequestration, leading to enhanced ecological benefits in the systems.
Implementing reduced tillage practices with green manure mulches showed promising results regarding N supply and weed management in the short term. Grazing green manure in rotations could also promote nutrient cycling and reduce the frequency of tillage for weed management. Thus, this may lead to reducing the total GHG emissions from the system, although a trade-off related to methane emission from livestock needs to be taken into account. Grazing also provides producers with economic benefits. The impact of livestock-related GHG emissions in integrated crop-livestock systems is far more complex, and research is needed to understand the benefits and possible risks of integrated crop-livestock systems regarding GHG emissions and C sequestration.
The overall goals of the proposed study are to assess GHG emission reduction and improved C sequestration potential in two cropping systems (i.e., reduced tillage and integrated crop-livestock systems) compared to a conventional tillage system during the organic transitional period. Specifically, the following four objectives are set to help the Canadian organic agricultural sector contribute toward the 2030 Emission Reduction Plan and the 2050 Net-Zero Emission Target:
1) Identify a better cropping system for reducing GHG emissions during the organic transitional period;
2) Estimate the effects of three cropping systems on C sequestration during the organic transitional period;
3) Determine the effects of livestock integration on N uptake in crops during the organic transitional period;
4) Evaluate the whole-farm economic outcome of three cropping systems during the organic transitional period.
Contributing Partners
Meet the Research Team
Dr. Hiroshi Kubota
Dr. Hiroshi Kubota is a researcher scientist with Agriculture and Agrifood Canada (AAFC) working at the Lacombe Research and Development Centre in Alberta. His research focusses on development of agronomic practices that improve economic and environmental sustainability in both conventional and organic cropping systems. His research areas of interest include cropping system diversity, cropping practice diversity, and integrated crop management.
Activity 6 Research Team
Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
Breanne Tidemann | Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe |
Kelly Turkington | Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe |
Guillermo Hernandez Ramirez | University of Alberta, Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences |
Emma Stephens | Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe |
Vern Baron | Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe |
Brian Luce | Lucends Ranch |
We asked Dr. Kubota
What got you interested in this research project?
Organic agriculture is considered to be a sustainable way of producing crops. Yet, there is still room for improvement in terms of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improving soil carbon (C) sequestration to make it even more sustainable.
One way to achieve this is by adopting conservation tillage practices, which have the potential to mitigate GHG emissions and promote soil C sequestration. But the adoption of reduced or no-till practices in organic crop production remains a challenge since tillage is a crucial practice for weed and nutrient management. Integrated crop-livestock systems in organic agriculture could also reduce the need for tillage for weed management and promote nutrient cycling. However, the impacts of the systems on GHG emissions and improve C sequestration are relatively unknown.
By conducting research in this area, we can better understand the benefits and risks of reduced-tillage and integrated crop-livestock systems on crop production, GHG emissions and C sequestration, and optimize the sustainability of organic agriculture.
Where is your research taking place?
This study takes place in two locations in central Alberta. The Lacombe Research and Development Centre, which was established in 1907, is conducting small plot research. On-farm research is also occurring at Lucends Ranch, located northwest of Ponoka, Alberta. Lucends Ranch has maintained organic certified status since 2014, while the land in Lacombe Research and Development Centre is transitioning to organic fields over the study period.
What drew you to organic agriculture research?
Agriculture is closely linked to climate change, biodiversity, the global economy, and our daily lives. I find organic agriculture fascinating because it presents a holistic approach to nutrient and weed management without relying on synthetic chemicals. I believe that innovative and out-of-the-box ideas are necessary to make agriculture more sustainable. While both organic and conventional farming have their strengths, neither is a single solution for climate change and sustainable crop production. Organic agriculture can play a vital role in addressing these issues. My hope is to act as a bridge between organic and conventional farming, to facilitate dialogue and find solutions.
How are you encouraging or training the next generation of scientists?
As a co-supervisor for an MSc student with a university professor, I have learned that students can gain a lot from having boots on the ground and engaging with stakeholders. I believe that students should take initiative and seek out opportunities to meet with individuals in the organic industry who have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share. By building strong connections with them, students can gain valuable insights into the industry and pave the way for exciting career opportunities in the future. I also encourage students to focus on developing their communication skills, which will enable them to effectively convey their research to diverse audiences in various formats. These skills are critical for success in any job and will equip students to present their ideas with clarity and confidence on any occasions.
Outside of your research pursuits, what is an activity you enjoy doing in your free time?
I absolutely love spending my days off with my family. If the weather is nice, I enjoy going outdoors and doing fun activities like rock climbing, hiking, jogging, and skiing in the winter. When I’m not being active, I like to take relaxing drives through the countryside and admire the different cropping systems across western Canada, the effects of soil zones, and changing seasons, as well as other beautiful agricultural-related sights.
