Carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide fluxes from a legume-based grassland during contrasting seasons in eastern Finland

Author(s):  
Yuan Li ◽  
Panu Korhonen ◽  
Perttu Virkajärvi ◽  
Narasinha J. Shurpali

<p>Legumes facilitate soil carbon (C) sequestration and mitigation of nitrous oxide (N<sub>2</sub>O) emissions. They have an important role in improving model predictions of future feedbacks from the high-latitude carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) and N<sub>2</sub>O fluxes and climate driving the response of northern ecosystems to warming. Legume based grasslands are an important part of the economy as high protein fodder for the cattle and thus, they are crucial for meat and dairy industries in Europe. However, there is a lack of regionally based, ecosystem scale field experimental data on legume based grasslands. Therefore, using the eddy covariance technique, we measured CO<sub>2</sub> and N<sub>2</sub>O fluxes from a grassland site, growing timothy (<em>Phleum pratense</em> L.) and red clover (<em>Trifolium pratense</em> L.), treated with mineral nitrogen (MinN) or with digestate residue (OrgN) in eastern Finland during two growing seasons (May – Sep 2017 and 2018). Results showed that higher mean seasonal temperature (2018) increased net ecosystem CO<sub>2</sub> exchange (NEE) and total dry matter (DM) and decreased N<sub>2</sub>O emissions. Specifically, NEE was 8.3 and 12.1 Mg ha<sup>-1</sup> in 2017 and 2018, respectively with no differences between treatments over the two years. The DM yield was 5.9 and 4.9 Mg ha<sup>-1</sup> for MinN and OrgN, respectively, in 2017, while it was 6.3 and 6.8 Mg ha<sup>-1</sup> in 2018. Cumulative N<sub>2</sub>O fluxes were 0.01 (100-year global warming potential CO<sub>2</sub>-equivalent) and -0.6 Mg CO<sub>2</sub> ha<sup>-1</sup> in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Summing up the seasonal NEE, N<sub>2</sub>O flux and DM yield, the seasonal C balance was 2.1 and -1.3 Mg ha<sup>-1</sup> for MinN and OrgN treatments in 2017, and it was -2.5 and -3.5 Mg ha<sup>-1</sup>, respectively, in 2018. Our observations from two climatically contrasting seasons suggest that the legume based grasslands in the boreal region have a strong C sequestration potential and the addition of organic fertilizer turns the systems to a larger sink in in the warmer year.</p>

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Honghong Li ◽  
Petri Penttinen ◽  
Hannu Mikkola ◽  
Kristina Lindström

A three-year field experiment was established to assess intercropping for sustainable forage production in Finland. In split-plot design, fertilizer treatment with unfertilized control, organic fertilizer, and synthetic fertilizer was the main plot factor, and crop treatment with fallow, red clover (Trifolium pratense), timothy (Phleum pratense), and a mixture of red clover and timothy was the sub-plot factor. Dry matter, carbon and nitrogen yields in mixture plots were highest with relatively high N% and the optimum C:N ratio (p < 0.05). Fertilization increased annual yields of mixture and timothy but not that of red clover. Soil NO3-N changed over time (p < 0.05) and was highest in fallow, followed by red clover, mixture, and timothy (p < 0.05), and the decrease during late growing season was smaller in the mixture and timothy plots. At the end of the experiment, soil C/NO3-N ratio was higher in timothy and mixture while lower in red clover and fallow plots (p < 0.05), and the relationship between soil DNA and NO3-N content may indicate that the potential nitrogen loss was lower in mixture and timothy than that in fallow and red clover plots.


Author(s):  
Denes DEAK ◽  
Ioan ROTAR ◽  
Florin PACURAR ◽  
Anca BOGDAN

Seeded lawns is one of the most important links in the process of improving the forage base, ensure feed quality with high productivity. Mixtures of red clover crops (Trifolium pratense) with perennial grasses (Lolium multiflorum, Phleum pratense and Poa pratensis) has high productivity due to better utilization of ecological niches of the biotope (ROTAR I.et al.). These crops has advantages like high content of protein because of the red clover, economy-based fertilizer nitrogen from atmospheric nitrogen fixation by bacteria Rhizobium spp. located in the root of legumes. These seeded pastures get a balanced feed nutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids), have a high palatability. The species Trifolium pratense has a greater capacity to restore the soil structure and also the enrichment of the macro-elements, like phosphorus and potassium (CARLIER L., et. al). Our experience took place in the village Simonesti, Cobătesti village of the Harghita county. The experimental field was located respecting the experimental technique rules in randomized blocks with a technique that includes three variants based on red clover plus a perennial grass (Lolium multiflorum, Poa pratensis and Phleum pratense). Every version was fertilized with two types of fertilizer: one liquid (gull) and one solid (stable manure) in four different doses in all three variants. The doses were: V1 = 0 gull; V2 = 5 t / ha gull; V3 = 10 t / ha gull; V4 = 20 t / ha gulle and V1 = 0 stable manure; V2 = 10 t / ha stable manure; V3 = 30 t / ha stable manure and V4 = 50 t / ha stable manure. In our studies we present the influence of fertilization with gull and stable manure on yield of green mass of all three variants. In general, both gull fertilization with manure favors grasses at the expense of installing legumes. The higher doses of fertilizer increase, the share of participant of grasses increases.


1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 1101-1103 ◽  
Author(s):  
LUCIUS BELZILE

The influence of timothy (Phleum pratense L.) on winter survival of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) was studied in an experiment conducted in 1984–1985 and repeated in 1985–1986. The results indicate that the presence of timothy can help to improve red clover persistence. When the winter was favorable to the survival of legumes, the red clover population was higher in pure than in mixtured clover populations. However, when the winter was unfavorable to legumes, the red clover population was higher in populations mixed with timothy than in a pure clover population.Key words: Red clover-timothy mixture, winter survival, stand, yield


2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 309-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. T. Kunelius ◽  
K. B. McRae ◽  
S. A. E. Fillmore ◽  
G. Dürr

Late-maturing cultivars of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and timothy (Phleum pratense L.) may be grown in short-term rotations with other crops and harvested for hay and silage. Harvesting forage in mid-summer is often advantageous for field curing, but the quality of mature forage may be low. We studied how harvests at different developmental stages affected yield, composition of herbage, and species persistence. The late-maturing single-cut red clover cultivar Altaswede and late timothy cultivar Farol were grown alone and in combination with and without applied N. Total forage, and red clover and timothy dry matter yields, increased between the first (27 June) and third (11 July) dates of harvest. Timothy grown alone or combined with red clover and fertilized with N produced greater forage yields than red clover alone or red clover + timothy without applied N. The in vitro digestibility of dry matter declined from 670 to 625 g kg−1 and crude protein from 134 to 109 g kg−1 between 27 June and 11 July. Water soluble carbohydrates in forage were low (36–66 g kg−1) in cuts 1 and 2. Macronutrient and micronutrient concentrations were generally highest at the first date of harvest on 27 June. Nutrient concentrations in cut 2 were similar for the three harvest schedules. We conclude that growing late-maturing single-cut red clover combined with late timothy produced high yields with good nutritional quality even at advanced stages of maturity. Single-cut red clover persisted for the first production year making this combination suited for short-term rotations that involve late harvesting of the primary growth. Key words: Red clover, Trifolium pratense, timothy, Phleum pratense, composition


2005 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Kimpinski ◽  
L.M. Edwards ◽  
C.E. Gallant ◽  
H.W. Johnson ◽  
J.A. MacLeod ◽  
...  

A field study assessing the influence of the previous crop, the crop sequence, and aldicarb treatments on root lesion nematode populations and crop yields was carried out in Prince-Edward-Island, Canada. The most recent crop had the greatest impact on nematode numbers. The crop sequences had an influence in some cases on root lesion nematode populations (primarily Pratylenchus penetrans) and on crop yields. In commercial barley (Hordeum vulgare) fields, root lesion nematodes in roots were greatest when barley followed a red clover (Trifolium pratense) timothy (Phleum pratense) ley, and stunt nematodes (Tylenchorhynchus spp., primarily T. dubius, and Merlinius spp.) were more common when barley followed barley. The combined dry weight of foliage and grain was larger when barley was planted after potato (Solanumtuberosum) and smaller when barley followed barley or a red clover-timothy mixture. Under experimental field conditions, root lesion nematode populations were largest in barley roots when barley followed potato and grain yields were smallest when barley followed barley. Changes in nematode populations in potato were not associated with crop sequences. Potato tuber yields were higher in the sequences that began with wheat (Triticum aestivum) or barley than in the sequences that began with potato or soybean (Glycine max). Aldicarb reduced the numbers of root lesion nematodes in roots with concomitant yield increases in potato and soybean.


1983 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 903-912 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. A. PAPADOPOULOS ◽  
B. D. McKERSIE

Protein hydrolysis was examined during wilting and ensiling of first and second cut herbage of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.), orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) and timothy (Phleum pratense L.). During a 24-h wilting period, protein was hydrolyzed to soluble non-protein nitrogen (SNPN) more extensively in first cut than in second cut herbage. In both cuts the amount of protein hydrolysis occurring during wilting was greatest in alfalfa and least in red clover. After 30 days ensiling at 30 °C, SNPN content, expressed as percent of total nitrogen, was influenced by forage species, dry matter (DM) content, and cut. The extent of protein hydrolysis during ensiling was highest in alfalfa and lowest in red clover. In first cut silages, protein hydrolysis increased with DM content, but in the second cut silages, protein hydrolysis decreased as DM content increased. The amount of protein hydrolyzed during wilting or ensiling was not correlated with plant proteinase activity measured using azocasein as substrate. Consequently, the properties of the plant proteolytic enzymes associated with each species as well as the management of the forage prior to ensiling appear to influence the extent of proteolysis.Key words: Proteolysis, silage, haylage, proteinase


Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 842
Author(s):  
Victor P. Rueda-Ayala ◽  
Mats Höglind

This study aimed at identifying optimal sward conditions for successful establishment of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) through sod-seeding two typical Norwegian grassland systems dominated by timothy (Phleum pratense L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), respectively. A total of four sod-seeding trials were implemented, two in late summer (SUM) and two in spring (SPR), one for each sward type and time point for reseeding. The sward coverage status was the basis for threshold definition, and image analysis techniques were used for objective coverage estimation of living plants, dead material and bare soil. Plots with different coverage levels (0–100% of the soil covered by vegetation) were created by spraying a broad-spectrum herbicide (glyphosate) in a spot-wise pattern, mimicking common types of patchiness caused by stressful weather events, e.g., frost or mechanical damage from wheels or hoofs. Seed germination and emergence started similarly in all coverage ranges. However, as time progressed clover seedlings started to die at a coverage dependent rate, and at the final harvest red clover dry matter (RCDM) was the lowest on plots with the highest pre-seeding coverage level. Dose-response curves explained these relationships and allowed estimating the effective-coverage ( E C o v 80 ), being the initial sward coverage at which 80% of all established red clover plants contributed significantly to the total biomass. Above 2500 kg ha−1 RCDM were produced on timothy ( E C o v 80 : 15–50%) in SUM, while less than 1000 kg ha−1 RCDM were produced on ryegrass ( E C o v 80 : ± 10 % ), indicating better conditions for clover establishment in timothy compared with ryegrass. In SPR, an E C o v 80 : 10–15% allowed a good red clover estabishment in ryegrass at cut 3, while RCDM was important and significant in timothy even between E C o v 80 20 and 60%, at cut 2 and cut 3, respectively. These thresholds for sod-seeding mark the challenges to introduce red clover in dense swards and could be applicable for grassland renovation with other desirable legume and grasses species. Our findings represent particular soil and climatic characteristics of the study site, thus should be taken with caution. Due to the lack of experimentally and sytematically determined thresholds for reseeding, future studies could benefit from our experimental approach, as a base for more complex, multi-site and multi-seasonal investigations, and farmers could use these thresholds for decision making on successful grassland renovation, to avoid wasting seed resources and yield loses.


1979 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
UMESH C. GUPTA

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. ’Saranac’), red clover (Trifolium pratense L. ’Lakeland’), and timothy (Phleum pratense L. ’Climax’) were grown at two locations on Charlottetown fine sandy loam soils in Prince Edward Island. The pH values of the soils were 5.6 and 5.7, respectively. The three levels of lime were 0, 2.24 and 4.48 metric tonnes/ha and the Mo treatments included no Mo, Mo added as foliar spray and Mo added to the soils. In the first sampling, applications of 0.44 kg Mo/ha as foliar spray to soil limed to pH 5.9 and 6.3 in the three crops resulted in tissue Mo concentrations of greater than 10 ppm which when fed to livestock could produce Mo toxicity. With soil applications of 0.88 kg Mo/ha, tissue Mo concentrations of greater than 10 ppm occurred only in alfalfa and red clover limed to soil pH 5.6, 5.9 and 6.3. The tissue Mo levels in the second sampling decreased sharply when compared to those in the first sampling. The differences in Mo concentrations in second, third and fourth samplings were very small. There was a significant interaction (Mo × lime) because the increases of Mo concentration in red clover due to liming were much greater at higher rates of Mo than at lower rates of Mo. In the case of a suspected Mo deficiency, addition of about 0.2 kg Mo/ha as foliar spray or of 0.4 kg Mo/ha applied to the soil should alleviate a Mo deficiency problem. Residual effects at these levels of Mo should last for 2–3 yr from the crop sufficiency point of view. Molybdenum applied as foliar spray increased timothy yields by 15–17% at one location.


2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Moloney ◽  
H. Sheridan ◽  
J. Grant ◽  
E.G. O’Riordan ◽  
P. O’Kiely

AbstractBinary- and multi-species sown mixtures may increase herbage yield and/or reduce inorganic nitrogen (N) requirement compared to perennial ryegrass (PRG) (Lolium perenne L.) swards. A split-plot design was used to compare yields of binary- and multi-species mixtures to single-species swards of three grasses and red clover managed for intensive silage production under varying N application rates. Perennial and Italian (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) ryegrasses had greater annual yields when grown as single species receiving 360 kg N/ha per year than in binary mixtures with red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) receiving 0 kg N/ha per year, whereas timothy (Phleum pratense L.) produced equally high yields in both situations. When no inorganic N was applied, the annual dry matter yield of Mix 1 (10,738 kg/ha; PRG, timothy, red clover and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and Mix 2 (11,679 kg/ha; PRG, timothy, red clover, ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) and chicory (Cichorium intybus L.)) was greater than that of a PRG sward (PRG/0N; 5,885 kg/ha) and derived more from the contribution of legumes than herbs. This yield advantage of mixtures declined as inorganic N input increased, as did the legume and herb proportions in the multi-species swards. When averaged across rates of inorganic N input, Mix 2 had a greater annual yield than Mix 1 (12,464 vs. 11,893 kg/ha). Mix 2 receiving no inorganic fertiliser N and both Mix 1 and Mix 2 receiving 120 kg N/ha per year matched the annual yield achieved by PRG receiving 360 kg N/ha per year. Our results indicate that the yield performance of binary- and multi-species grassland swards should be measured in situ rather than predicted from single-species swards of constituent species.


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