Grass-clover response to cattle slurry N-rates: Yield, clover proportion, protein concentration and estimated N2-fixation

Thers, Henrik; Jensen, Johannes L.; Rasmussen, Jim; Eriksen, Jørgen

doi:10.1016/j.fcr.2022.108675

Cited by 9 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…The legume proportion was, in general, lower for fertilized than unfertilized grass–clover and decreased with sward age, especially for fertilized grass–clover (Figure 3), which partly was due to a large reduction in red‐clover appearance (Figure 2). An increase in grass proportion at the cost of clover with increased N application and sward age has also been found in other studies (Schils & Snijders, 2004; Thers et al., 2022). The reduction in herbage red‐clover yield with increasing sward age is related to its tolerance to frequent defoliation and poor overwintering (Hakala & Jauhiainen, 2007) and has also been observed in other studies (e.g., Jing et al., 2017).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

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Similar root and stubble biomass carbon in grass–clover leys irrespective of yield, species composition, sward age, and fertilization

Jensen,

Giannini‐Kurina,

Eriksen

2024

J. Plant Nutr. Soil Sci.

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BackgroundCrop‐ and site‐specific quantification of non‐harvestable aboveground residues and root biomass is essential for predicting management‐induced changes in soil C storage.AimsThe aim of this study was to quantify stubble and root biomass C from productive grass–clover leys used for cutting as affected by fertilization and sward age.MethodsBased on an organic long‐term dairy crop rotations experiment with 4 years of grass–clover in a six‐course rotation, we examined the effects of fertilization (unfertilized and 300 kg total‐N ha−1 in cattle slurry) and sward age (1–4‐year‐old) on herbage yield and composition, stubble biomass, and composition and root biomass of grass–clover ley.ResultsLey duration and fertilization altered plant community composition and aboveground productivity but did not affect stubble and root biomass C.ConclusionsThe results question the use of yield‐dependent allometric functions for grass–clover ley used in simulation models and life cycle assessments for C accounting in agricultural systems. For predictions of soil C changes, we recommend the use of a fixed stubble‐derived C input from grass–clover ley regardless of sward age and fertilization‐induced differences in species composition, and herbage yield. Likewise, a fixed root‐derived C input for 1‐year‐old grass–clover, irrespective of fertilization, may be implemented. However, the contribution of continuous rhizodeposition and fine root turnover to root‐derived C input need to be accounted for.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

“…For more details about the experiment and previous results, see Eriksen et al (2015), Thers et al (2022), andJensen et al (2022).…”

Section: The Organic Dairy Crop Rotation Experimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Similar root and stubble biomass carbon in grass–clover leys irrespective of yield, species composition, sward age, and fertilization

Jensen,

Giannini‐Kurina,

Eriksen

2024

J. Plant Nutr. Soil Sci.

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“…The N uptake derived from biologically fixed N accounts for 61.0 ± 16.0% of host plant requirement (varying from 38.0% to 74.0% among different taxa; Peoples et al., 2021). An experiment documented that the N uptake in clover was increased from 225.1 to 275.8 kg N ha −1 year −1 in the context of the SNF rising from 18.4 to 31.7 g N m −2 year −1 (Thers et al., 2022).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disentangling the variability of symbiotic nitrogen fixation rate and the controlling factors

Yao,

Han,

Dong

et al. 2024

Global Change Biology

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Symbiotic nitrogen (N) fixation (SNF), replenishing bioavailable N for terrestrial ecosystems, exerts decisive roles in N cycling and gross primary production. Nevertheless, it remains unclear what determines the variability of SNF rate, which retards the accurate prediction for global N fixation in earth system models. This study synthesized 1230 isotopic observations to elucidate the governing factors underlying the variability of SNF rate. The SNF rates varied significantly from 3.69 to 12.54 g N m−2 year−1 across host plant taxa. The traits of host plant (e.g. biomass characteristics and taxa) far outweighed soil properties and climatic factors in explaining the variations of SNF rate, accounting for 79.0% of total relative importance. Furthermore, annual SNF yield contributed to more than half of N uptake for host plants, which was consistent across different ecosystem types. This study highlights that the biotic factors, especially host plant traits (e.g. biomass characteristics and taxa), play overriding roles in determining SNF rate compared with soil properties. The suite of parameters for SNF lends support to improve N fixation module in earth system models that can provide more confidence in predicting bioavailable N changes in terrestrial ecosystems.

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“…Thus, with regards to the high N fertilization, this recommendation should be adjusted for mixtures and should also not be combined with grazing, as the combination of grazing and slurry application generally results in highest leaching rates in grasslands (Eriksen et al, 2015), whereas cutting generally produced the lowest leaching rates (Wachendorf et al, 2004). Accordingly, in a cut system, even N application rates of up to 300 kg N ha −1 did not increase N leaching in grass‐clover swards of up to 4 years in age, even after the transition to an arable follow‐on crop, while at the same time the continuous slurry application in the grass clover resulted in higher yield benefits effects for a follow‐on crop if the grassland duration was longer than 2 years (Thers et al, 2024). However, N applications in excess of 200 kg N ha −1 did also not increase yields, but rather reduced legume shares and N fixation only (Thers et al, 2022).…”

Section: Considerations For the Successful Implementation Of Grasslan...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Accordingly, in a cut system, even N application rates of up to 300 kg N ha −1 did not increase N leaching in grass‐clover swards of up to 4 years in age, even after the transition to an arable follow‐on crop, while at the same time the continuous slurry application in the grass clover resulted in higher yield benefits effects for a follow‐on crop if the grassland duration was longer than 2 years (Thers et al, 2024). However, N applications in excess of 200 kg N ha −1 did also not increase yields, but rather reduced legume shares and N fixation only (Thers et al, 2022). The ability to maintain fertilizer levels of around 200 kg N ha −1 (in the absence of livestock) without increasing leaching is especially important as reducing fertilizer amounts also reduces C sequestration, thereby resulting in a trade‐off between C accumulation and N losses, as well as yields (Allard et al, 2007).…”

Section: Considerations For the Successful Implementation Of Grasslan...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The importance of multi‐species grassland leys to enhance ecosystem services in crop rotations

Malisch,

Finn,

Eriksen

et al. 2024

Grass and Forage Science

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The ongoing simplification of agricultural production systems has resulted in several negative consequences, ranging from losses in soil organic carbon and biodiversity to a high dependency on external inputs to maintain high yields. We identify how grassland leys in crop rotations may help to mitigate these effects, by conserving soil organic carbon and enhancing nutrient efficiency. In particular, grasslands containing legumes enhance these benefits by providing nitrogen, and displacement of mineral N fertilizer. In crop rotations, these grasslands may transfer some of the acquired nitrogen to arable follow‐on crops, thereby reducing the necessity for external inputs, while at the same time providing additional benefits, such as improvement of soil quality and reduction of weed pressure. However, there are still considerable knowledge gaps about how to optimize the community composition of grassland leys to best enhance the supply of these ecosystem services. Although the benefits of multi‐species grasslands for the grassland crop have been shown repeatedly and across a large gradient of environments, further research is required to determine the benefits for follow‐on crops, particularly across different environmental conditions. Here, we emphasize the importance of multi‐site research, such as in the research network LegacyNet. Finally, we present management techniques that are optimized for both ecosystem services and agronomic performance in mechanically cut and grazed systems. For the latter, we consider how the inclusion of bioactive plant species can enhance animal health and lower methane emissions in grazing ruminants.

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Grass-clover response to cattle slurry N-rates: Yield, clover proportion, protein concentration and estimated N2-fixation

Cited by 9 publications

References 26 publications

Similar root and stubble biomass carbon in grass–clover leys irrespective of yield, species composition, sward age, and fertilization

Similar root and stubble biomass carbon in grass–clover leys irrespective of yield, species composition, sward age, and fertilization

Disentangling the variability of symbiotic nitrogen fixation rate and the controlling factors

The importance of multi‐species grassland leys to enhance ecosystem services in crop rotations

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