Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Crossbred Cow Milk Production in a Silvopastoral System in Tropical Mexico

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Currently there is an urgent need to modify food production systems, including the influence of ruminants, due to extensive land use and environmental impacts. Grazing cattle excreta emit considerable amounts of methane and nitrous oxide. The objectives of this work were to assess the production and quality of the forage, milk production, and methane and nitrous oxide emissions from the cattle feces and urine in two production systems: conventional grazing (grass in a monoculture) and a silvopastoral system (association of leguminous shrubs with grass). The inclusion of legumes in the diet of grazing cattle increases forage quality and reduces the methane and nitrous oxide emissions from urine and feces. ABSTRACT: In Mexico, pasture degradation is associated with extensive pastures; additionally, under these conditions, livestock activities contribute considerably to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Among the options to improve grazing systems and reduce GHG emissions, silvopastoral systems (SPS) have been recommended. The objectives of this work were to quantify the N outflow in a soil–plant–animal interface, as well as the CH(4) emissions and milk production in an SPS with woody legumes (Leucaena leucocephala) that is associated with stargrass (Cynodon nlemfuensis). This was then compared with stargrass in a monoculture system (MS) in the seasons (dry and rainy period) over a two-year period. Dung was collected from the animals of each of the grazing systems and applied fresh to the land plots. Fresh dung and urine were collected from the cows of each grazing system and were applied to the experimental plots. In addition, the soil CH(4) and N(2)O contents were measured to quantify the emissions. Average milk yield by seasons was similar: MS (7.1 kg per animal unit (AU)/day(−1)) and SPS (6.31 kg per AU/day(−1)). Cows in the MS had a mean N intake of 171.9 g/UA day(−1) without seasonal variation, while the SPS animals’ mean N intake was 215.7 g/UA day(−1) for both seasons. For the urine applied to soil, the N(2)O outflow was higher in the MS (peak value = 1623.9 μg N-N(2)O m(−2) h(−1)). The peak value for the SPS was 755.9 μg of N-N(2)O m(−2) h(−1). The N(2)O emissions were higher in the rainy season (which promotes denitrification). The values for the feces treatment were 0.05% (MS) and 0.01% (SPS). The urine treatment values were 0.52% (MS) and 0.17% (SPS). The emissions of CH(4) showed that the feces of the SPS systems resulted in a higher accumulation of gas in the rainy season (29.8 g C ha(−1)), followed by the feces of the MS system in the dry season (26.0 g C ha(−1)). Legumes in the SPS helped to maintain milk production, and the N(2)O emissions were lower than those produced by the MS (where the pastures were fertilized with N).