Improving nitrogen recovery from green manure on contrasting soil types under cold climate conditions

Summary

We evaluated the effects of various strategies for green manure management, including biogas production and using the herbage-based digestate as fertilizer, on the yield and N recovery of a subsequent spring barley crop. Of the various green manure herbage measures tested, the digestate strategy was be the most promising option with regard to reduced risk of N losses and improved N recovery by a subsequent spring barley crop. Removal of the herbage reduces the risk of N losses from the crop rotation, since such losses are highly dependent upon the N input and weather conditions. This study suggests that
fundamental model changes are needed for simulating the effects of low temperatures on N mineralization from fresh plant material.