scholarly journals Very Low Nitrogen Leaching in Grazed Ley-Arable-Systems in Northwest Europe

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2155
Author(s):  
Hendrik P. J. Smit ◽  
Thorsten Reinsch ◽  
Christof Kluß ◽  
Ralf Loges ◽  
Friedhelm Taube
Keyword(s):  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
C Sequestration ◽  
Winter Precipitation ◽  
Catch Crop ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Leaching Losses ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Permanent Grassland ◽  
Northwest Europe

High input dairy farms that are located on sandy soils in northwest Europe are predisposed to substantial nitrate leaching during a surplus of winter precipitation. Leys within integrated crop-livestock systems play an important role in soil fertility, soil C sequestration and soil N mineralization potentials. Therefore, leys are a feasible option that can be utilized to reduce local N losses to the environment, especially following maize grown for silage. We hypothesize that grass-clover leys ensure low nitrate leaching losses even when grazed intensively. The extent to which NO3-leaching occurred across seven different pasture management systems in terms of their sward composition, cutting, grazing, fertilization and combinations thereof was investigated in integrated animal-crop grazing systems over three winter periods (2017/2018, 2018/2019 and 2019/2020). The observed grazed systems were comprised of cut-used- and grazed grass-clover swards (0, 1 and 2 years after establishment following cereals), a catch crop grazed late in the year as well as a cut-used permanent grassland for comparison. Overall, all treatments resulted in nitrate leaching losses that did not exceed the WHO-threshold (25 mg nitrate/L). The highest level of NO3-leaching was observed in the catch crop system and the lowest in cut-used permanent grassland, with NO3-N losses of 19.6 ± 5.3 and 2.1 ± 0.3 kg NO3-N ha−1 year−1. Annual herbage yields were in the range of 0.9 to 12.4 t DM ha−1 and nitrogen yields varied between 181 ± 51 and 228 ± 66 kg N ha−1 during the study period. The highest herbage-N-yields were observed from the 1- and 2-year-old grass-clover leys. The highest N-field-balance was observed for the grazed leys and the lowest for the cut-used permanent grassland. However, no correlation was found between the highly positive field-N-balance and the amount of NO3-leached. This indicates a high N carry-over from grass-clover swards to the subsequent cash crop unit instead of increasing the risk of groundwater contamination from grazed leys in integrated animal crop-systems and underlines the eco-efficiency of dairy farming based on grazed ley systems.

scholarly journals Environmental Impact of Rotationally Grazed Pastures at Different Management Intensities in South Africa

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1214
Author(s):  
Hendrik P. J. Smit ◽  
Thorsten Reinsch ◽  
Pieter A. Swanepoel ◽  
Ralf Loges ◽  
Christof Kluß ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
N2o Emissions ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Enteric Fermentation ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Grazed Pastures ◽  
Soil C And N

Nitrogen fertilization, irrigation and concentrate feeding are important factors in rotational pasture management for dairy farms in South Africa. The extent to which these factors affect environmental efficiency is subject to current and intense debate among scientists. A three-year field study was conducted to investigate the yield response of different N-fertilizer treatments (0 (N0), 220 (N20), 440 (N40), 660 (N60) and 880 (N80) kg N ha−1 year−1) on grazed pastures and to calculate the carbon footprint (CF) of milk produced. Excessive N-fertilization (N60 and N80) did not increase herbage dry matter and energy yields from pastures. However, N80 indicated the highest N-yield but at the same time also the highest N surpluses at field level. A maximum fertilizer rate of 220 kg ha−1 year−1 (in addition to excreted N from grazing animals) appears sufficient to ensure adequate herbage yields (~20 t DM ha−1 year−1) with a slightly positive field-N-balance. This amount will prevent the depletion of soil C and N, with low N losses to the environment, where adequate milk yields of ~17 t ECM ha−1 with a low CF (~1.3 kg CO2 kg ECM−1) are reached. Methane from enteric fermentation (~49% ± 3.3) and N2O (~16% ± 3.2) emissions from irrigated pastures were the main contributors to the CF. A further CF reduction can be achieved by improved N-fertilization planning, low emission irrigation techniques and strategies to limit N2O emissions from pasture soils in South Africa.

Soil mineral nitrogen and nitrate leaching losses in soil tillage systems combined with a catch crop

1999 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Stenberg ◽  
Helena Aronsson ◽  
Börje Lindén ◽  
Tomas Rydberg ◽  
Arne Gustafson
Keyword(s):  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
Mineral Nitrogen ◽  
Soil Tillage ◽  
Catch Crop ◽  
Soil Mineral ◽  
Soil Mineral Nitrogen ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
Leaching Losses

A review of nitrogen losses due to leaching and surface runoff under intensive pasture management in Australia

Soil Research ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy L. Burkitt
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Dairy Industry ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Pasture Production

This paper reviews the literature on nitrate leaching and nitrogen (N) runoff under intensive dairy pasture systems in Australia and draws comparisons with research undertaken under similar climates and farming systems internationally, with the aim to inform future research in this area. An Australian nitrate-leaching study suggests that annual nitrate-leaching loads are lower (3.7–14.5 kg N ha–1 year–1 for nil N and 6–22 kg N ha–1 year–1 for 200 kg N ha–1 applied) than the range previously measured and modelled on New Zealand dairy farms (~18–110 kg N ha–1 year–1). It is likely that nitrate-leaching rates are higher in New Zealand because of the prevalence of free-draining soils and higher average stocking rates. However, this review highlights that there are insufficient Australian nitrate-leaching data, particularly following urine application, to undertake a rigorous comparison. Median N surpluses on Australian dairy farms are higher (198 kg N ha–1) than values for an average New Zealand farm (135 kg N ha–1). Given the facts that many soils used for intensive pasture production in Australia are lightly textured or free-draining clay loams receiving average rainfall of >800 mm year–1, that herd sizes have risen in the last 10 years and that water quality is a concern in some dairy catchments, nitrate leaching could be an issue for the Australian dairy industry. Australian data on surface runoff of N are more available, despite its overall contribution to N losses being low (generally <5 kg N ha–1 year–1), except under border-check flood irrigation or hump-and-hollow surface drainage (3–23 kg N ha–1 year–1). More research is needed to quantify surface N runoff and leaching following effluent application and to examine dissolved organic forms of N loss, particularly in view of the continued intensification of the Australian dairy industry.

scholarly journals Long-term nutrient fertilization and the carbon balance of permanent grassland: any evidence for sustainable intensification?

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dario A. Fornara ◽  
Elizabeth - Anne Wasson ◽  
Peter Christie ◽  
Catherine J. Watson
Keyword(s):  
C Sequestration ◽  
Pig Slurry ◽  
Liquid Manure ◽  
Cattle Slurry ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Permanent Grassland ◽  
C Balance ◽  
C Stocks ◽  
Nutrient Fertilization

Abstract. Sustainable grassland intensification aims to increase plant yields while maintaining soils’ ability to act as sinks rather than sources of atmospheric CO2. High biomass yields, however, from managed grasslands can be only maintained through long-term nutrient fertilization, which can significantly affect soil carbon (C) storage and cycling. Key questions remain about (1) how long-term inorganic vs. organic fertilization influences soil C stocks, and (2) how soil C gains (or losses) contribute to the long-term C balance of managed grasslands. Using 43 years of data from a permanent grassland experiment we show that soils not only act as significant C sinks but have not yet reached C saturation. Even unfertilized-control soils showed C sequestration rates of 0.35 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 (i.e. 35 g C m−2 yr−1; 0–15 cm depth) between 1970 and 2013. High application rates of liquid manure (i.e. cattle slurry) further increased soil C sequestration to 0.86 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 (i.e. 86 g C m−2 yr−1) and a key cause of this C accrual was greater C inputs from cattle slurry. However, average coefficients of ‘Slurry-C retention’ suggest that 85 % of C added yearly through liquid manure is lost possibly via CO2 fluxes and organic C leaching from soils. Inorganically fertilized soils (i.e. NPK) had the lowest ‘C-gain-efficiency’ (i.e. unit of C gained per unit of N added) and lowest C sequestration (similar to control soils). Soils receiving cattle slurry showed higher C-gain and N-retention efficiencies compared to soils receiving NPK or pig slurry. We estimate that net rates of CO2-sequestration in the soil top 15 cm can offset 9-to-25 % of GHG emissions from intensive management. However, because of multiple GHG sources associated with livestock farming, the net C balance of these grasslands remains positive (9-to-12 Mg CO2-equivalent ha−1 yr−1), thus contributing to climate change. Further C-gain efficiencies (e.g. reduced enteric fermentation and use of feed concentrates, better nutrient-management) are required to make grassland intensification more sustainable.

Sowing a winter catch crop can reduce nitrate leaching losses from winter-applied urine under simulated forage grazing: a lysimeter study

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. L. Carey ◽  
K. C. Cameron ◽  
H. J. Di ◽  
G. R. Edwards ◽  
D. F. Chapman
Keyword(s):  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
Catch Crop ◽  
Leaching Losses

scholarly journals Reducing nitrate leaching losses from a Taupo pumice soil using a nitrification inhibitor eco-n

2007 ◽  
pp. 131-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.C. Cameron ◽  
H.J. Di ◽  
J.L. Moir ◽  
A.H.C. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
Nitrification Inhibitor ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
N Transfer ◽  
Management Options ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Leaching Losses ◽  
Significant Contributor ◽  
Annual Loss

The decline in water quality in Lake Taupo has been attributed to nitrogen (N) leaching from surrounding land areas. Pastoral agriculture has been identified as a significant contributor to this N transfer to the lake through animal urine deposition. There is therefore an immediate need for new management options to reduce N losses. The objective of this study was to measure the effectiveness of using a nitrification inhibitor (eco-n) to reduce nitrate leaching losses from a pasture soil of the Taupo region. A 3-year study was conducted using 20 lysimeters on Landcorp's 'Waihora' sheep and beef farm, within 10 km of Lake Taupo. The results show that animal urine patches were the main source of nitrate leaching (>95% of the total annual loss) and that eco-n significantly (P

Soil carbon sequestration in cool-temperate dryland pastures: mechanisms and management options

Soil Research ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alieta Eyles ◽  
Garth Coghlan ◽  
Marcus Hardie ◽  
Mark Hovenden ◽  
Kerry Bridle
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
C Sequestration ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Management Approaches

Permanent pastures, which include sown, native and naturalised pastures, account for 4.3 Mha (56%) of the national land use in Australia. Given their extent, pastures are of great interest with respect to their potential to influence national carbon (C) budgets and CO2 mitigation. Increasing soil organic C (SOC) mitigates greenhouse gases while providing other benefits such as pasture productivity, soil health and ecosystem services. Several management approaches have been recommended to increase C sequestration in pasture-based systems; however, results have proved variable and often contradictory between sites and years. Here, we present an overview of the processes and mechanisms responsible for C sequestration in permanent pastures. In addition, we discuss the merits of traditional and emerging pasture-management practices for increasing SOC in pastures, with a focus on dryland pasture systems of south-eastern Australia. We conclude by summarising the knowledge gaps and research priorities for soil C-sequestration research in dryland pastures. Our review confirms that soils under a range of pasture types have considerable potential for sequestration of atmospheric CO2 in Australia, and that the magnitude of this potential can be greatly modified by pasture-management practices. Although the shortage of long-term studies under Australian conditions limits our ability to predict the potential of various management approaches to sequester soil C, our review indicates that prevention of erosion through maintenance of groundcover and adoption of options that promote deep C sequestration are likely to confer broad-scale maintenance or increases in SOC in pasture soils over a decade or longer. We acknowledge that the evidence is limited; therefore, confidence in the recommended practices in different locations and climates is largely unknown.

scholarly journals Impacts of management on leaching of nitrate from pastures

1990 ◽  
pp. 207-210
Author(s):  
J.L. Brock ◽  
P.R. Ball ◽  
R.A. Carran
Keyword(s):  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Quality Factors ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Animal Products ◽  
Total N ◽  
Herbage Quality ◽  
Ammonia Volatilisation ◽  
Management Approaches

Clover-based grasslands as used in New Zealand, while considered "clean" relative to grasslands farmed intensively with fertiliser nitrogen (N), are nevertheless polluting. Recent measurements of nitrate-N down the soil profile below heavily stocked (22.5 ee/ha) pastures grazed by sheep, have shown that leaching losses under set stocking are 2-3 times those from rotational grazing (37 vs 16 kg N/ha/yr). As the input of N, its storage, and outgoings in animal products are similar in both systems, this indicates that considerably more urinary N is being lost to the aerial environment from rotationally grazed pastures, with nitrate leaching being the main avenue of loss under set stocking. Differences in sward structure are suggested as the major factor. Lower nitrate leaching from cocksfoot vs ryegrass-based pastures are thought to be associated with lower herbage quality factors reducing urinary N formation. While grazing management will not greatly influence total N losses to the environrnent, it can mfluence the avenues by which N enters the wider environment. Aquatically sensitive catchments may be better protected from leaching of nitrate by modification of the grazing management approaches. Keywords pasture management, nitrate leaching, ammonia volatilisation, pasture structure, herbage quality, groundwater pollution

scholarly journals Long-term nutrient fertilization and the carbon balance of permanent grassland: any evidence for sustainable intensification?

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 4975-4984 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dario A. Fornara ◽  
Elizabeth-Anne Wasson ◽  
Peter Christie ◽  
Catherine J. Watson
Keyword(s):  
C Sequestration ◽  
Pig Slurry ◽  
Liquid Manure ◽  
Cattle Slurry ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Permanent Grassland ◽  
C Balance ◽  
C Stocks ◽  
Nutrient Fertilization

Abstract. Sustainable grassland intensification aims to increase plant yields while maintaining the ability of soil to act as a sink rather than sources of atmospheric CO2. High biomass yields from managed grasslands, however, can be only maintained through long-term nutrient fertilization, which can significantly affect soil carbon (C) storage and cycling. Key questions remain about (1) how long-term inorganic vs. organic fertilization influences soil C stocks, and (2) how soil C gains (or losses) contribute to the long-term C balance of managed grasslands. Using 43 years of data from a permanent grassland experiment, we show that soils not only act as significant C sinks but have not yet reached C saturation. Even unfertilized control soils showed C sequestration rates of 0.35 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 (i.e. 35 g C m−2 yr−1; 0–15 cm depth) between 1970 and 2013. High application rates of liquid manure (i.e. cattle slurry) further increased soil C sequestration to 0.86 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 (i.e. 86 g C m−2 yr−1) and a key cause of this C accrual was greater C inputs from cattle slurry. However, average coefficients of slurry-C retention in soils suggest that 85 % of C added yearly through liquid manure is lost possibly via CO2 fluxes and organic C leaching. Inorganically fertilized soils (i.e. NPK) had the lowest C-gain efficiency (i.e. unit of C gained per unit of N added) and lowest C sequestration (similar to control soils). Soils receiving cattle slurry showed higher C-gain and N-retention efficiencies compared to soils receiving NPK or pig slurry. We estimate that net rates of CO2-sequestration in the top 15 cm of the soil can offset 9–25 % of GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions from intensive management. However, because of multiple GHG sources associated with livestock farming, the net C balance of these grasslands remains positive (9–12 Mg CO2-equivalent ha−1 yr−1), thus contributing to climate change. Further C-gain efficiencies (e.g. reduced enteric fermentation and use of feed concentrates, better nutrient management) are required to make grassland intensification more sustainable.

An evaluation of a strategic de-stocking regime for dairying to improve nitrogen efficiency and reduce nitrate leaching from dairy farms in nitrate-sensitive areas

2000 ◽  
pp. 105-110
Author(s):  
Cecile De Klein ◽  
Jim Paton ◽  
Stewart Ledgard
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Nitrogen Efficiency ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Leaching Losses ◽  
Sensitive Areas

Strategic de-stocking in winter is a common management practice on dairy farms in Southland, New Zealand, to protect the soil against pugging damage. This paper examines whether this practice can also be used to reduce nitrate leaching losses. Model analyses and field measurements were used to estimate nitrate leaching losses and pasture production under two strategic de-stocking regimes: 3 months off-farm or 5 months on a feed pad with effluent collected and applied back to the land. The model analyses, based on the results of a long-term farmlet study under conventional grazing and on information for an average New Zealand farm, suggested that the 3- or 5-month de-stocking could reduce nitrate leaching losses by about 20% or 35-50%, respectively compared to a conventional grazing system. Field measurements on the Taieri Plain in Otago support these findings, although the results to date are confounded by drought conditions during the 1998 and 1999 seasons. The average nitrate concentration of the drainage water of a 5-month strategic de-stocking treatment was about 60% lower than under conventional grazing. Pasture production of the 5-month strategic de-stocking regime with effluent return was estimated based on data for apparent N efficiency of excreta patches versus uniformlyspread farm dairy effluent N. The results suggested that a strategic de-stocking regime could increase pasture production by about 2 to 8%. A cost/ benefit analysis of the 5-month de-stocking system using a feed pad, comparing additional capital and operational costs with additional income from a 5% increase in DM production, show a positive return on capital for an average New Zealand dairy farm. This suggests that a strategic destocking system has good potential as a management tool to reduce nitrate leaching losses in nitrate sensitive areas whilst being economically viable, particularly on farms where an effluent application system or a feed pad are already in place. Keywords: dairying, feed pads, nitrate leaching, nitrogen efficiency, productivity, strategic de-stocking

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