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480: Production of N2O in grass-clover pastures

Thyme, Mette and Ambus, Per (2002) Production of N2O in grass-clover pastures. Paper presented at Non-CO2 greenhouse gases: Scientific understanding, control options and policy aspects., Maastricht, Holland, 21-23 january, 2002; Published in van Ham, J; Baede, APM; Guicherit, R and Williams-Jacobse, JGFM, Eds. Non-CO2 greenhouse gases: Scientific understanding, control options and policy aspects, page pp. 149-150. Millpress, Rotterdam, Holland.

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Summary

In organic as well as conventional dairy farming, grass-clover pastures is an important component of the cropping system. This is because grass-clover is an excellent cattle fodder, and because clover has the ability of fixing atmospheric N2. When budgets for N2O emissions are made accord-ing to the IPCC guidelines it is assumed that 1.25 % of added nitrogen is emitted as N2O. This emission factor is used for all nitrogen inputs although the factor relies on experiments with fertilizer and manure, only. The emission factor for biological fixed nitrogen may be lower than 1.25 %, because nitrogen is released only slowly into the soil. However knowledge is very sparse.
On the other hand, when the effect of grazing cattle is added the situation might be different. In Denmark organic cattle are supposed to be on grazing fields for at least 150 days a year. Nitrogen returned to the system in urine and dung is likely to locally exceed the needs of the plants and is therefore at risk of being lost as N2O. Thus far, however, there have only been a few detailed estimates of total N2O emissions from grassland livestock productions, and understanding of the factors controlling N2O emissions remains unsatisfactory.

Document Language:English
Subject Areas: Environmental aspects > Air and water emissions
Research affiliation: Denmark > DARCOF II (2000-2005) > I.13 (DINOG) Dinitrogen fixation and nitrous oxide losses in grass-clover pastures
Funding Part:75-100%
Total budget (Euro):0
Orgprints ID Number:480
Contact:Ambus, Dr Per
Deposited On:13 February 2003
EPrint Type:Conference paper
Published?:Published
Peer Review Status:Not peer-reviewed

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