SyNE: An improved indicator to assess nitrogen efficiency of farming systems

Godinot, Olivier; Carof, Matthieu; Vertès, Françoise; Leterme, Philippe

doi:10.1016/j.agsy.2014.01.003

Cited by 52 publications

(67 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…In summary, indicators such as the chain N surplus (Godinot et al 2014;Mu et al 2016) or the N footprint (Leach et al 2012) may better capture differences between products or production systems than the more common indicators based on farmgate N budgets. However, there are conceptual differences between the N footprint and the N surplus indicators, and it is unclear which one is most appropriate.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, one common indicator is the N surplus (N input -N output), which is often reported per unit cropland area (Nevens et al 2006;Oenema 2006;Dalgaard et al 2012), and sometimes per unit product (Dalgaard et al 1998;Schröder et al 2003;Mihailescu et al 2014;Mu et al 2016), or inversely, as product quantity per unit N surplus (''eco-efficiency'', Nevens et al 2006;Beukes et al 2012). Another indicator often constructed from farm-gate N budgets is the N use efficiency (NUE), defined as N output/N input (Schröder et al 2003;Godinot et al 2014;Gerber et al 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Nitrogen flows on organic and conventional dairy farms: a comparison of three indicators

Einarsson

Cederberg

Kallus

2017

Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst

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This paper analyzes nitrogen (N) flows on organic and conventional dairy farms in Sweden, and compares three indicators for the N pollution associated with the milk: (1) the farm-gate N surplus, (2) the chain N surplus, and (3) the N footprint. We find that, compared to indicators based on N surplus, the N footprint is a more understandable indicator for the N pollution associated with a product. However, the N footprint is not a replacement for the often-used farmgate N surplus per unit area, since the two indicators give different information. An uncertainty analysis shows that, despite the large dataset, 1566 conventional and 283 organic farms, there is substantial uncertainty in the indicator values, of which a large part is due to possible bias in estimates of biological N fixation (BNF). Hence, although the best estimate is that conventional milk has 10-20% higher indicator values than organic, it is conceivable that improved estimates of BNF will change that conclusion. All three indicators simplify reality by aggregating N flows over time and space, and of different chemical forms. Thus, they hide many complexities with environmental relevance, which means that they can be misleading for decision-makers. This motivates further research on the relation between N surpluses and N footprints, and actual environmental damages.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nitrogen flows on organic and conventional dairy farms: a comparison of three indicators

Einarsson

Cederberg

Kallus

2017

Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…These indicators are developed at the farm gate level. This doesn't take account of symbiotic N fixation, atmospheric N deposition or changes in soil organic matter stocks and hence does not consider all inputs and outputs (Godinot et al 2014). Gourley et al (2012) argue that while farm-level N balance and NUE can greatly assist management decision, P balance and use efficiency is less useful unless combined with soil fertility levels to account for accumulation or depletion trends.…”

Section: Phosphorusmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hence, the approach could be developed further if soil test results for sample farms could be incorporated into the analysis. In addition, the environmental impact of the feed grown offfarm but imported into these systems and the output value of manures exported from systems could be explored further in the context of developing the approach towards a full life cycle analysis (Gerber et al 2014;Godinot et al 2014). …”

Section: Phosphorusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developing the EU Farm Accountancy Data Network to derive indicators around the sustainable use of nitrogen and phosphorus at farm level

Buckley

Wall

Moran

et al. 2015

Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst

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“…The efficiency of the use of nitrogen is important to meet the dual needs of increasing productivity and reducing pollution due to nitrogen losses [3]. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is commonly used to estimate the utilization situation of N in crops at the farm scale and is defined as the ratio of N output and input [4]. Improving NUE and decreasing N loss are critical for sustainable agriculture [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Ammonia Volatilization Losses and Nitrogen Utilization during the Rice Growing Season in Alkaline Salt-Affected Soils

Huang

Zhang

et al. 2017

Sustainability

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Abstract:The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of different fertilizer types and application rates on ammonia volatilization loss and to explore nitrogen distribution and nitrogen use efficiency using the 15 N isotope tracing technique in different alkaline salt-affected conditions in the Songnen Plain, Northeast China. The results showed a decreasing trend in ammonia volatilization loss from ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate, but not that from urea, as the electrical conductivity gradient increased, whereas the reverse trend was found as the pH gradient increased. Ammonia volatilization loss increased in moderately salt-affected soil compared with that in slightly salt-affected soil, particularly during the tillering stage, regardless of the N fertilizer rate. The percentage of N absorbed by rice plants increased from urea but decreased from the soil as the amount of nitrogen was increased. Interestingly, the N retention rate in soil decreased and rice grain yield and nitrogen agronomic efficiency increased as the amount of nitrogen increased in both salt-affected soil conditions. The nitrogen application amount of highest N physiological efficiency was 225 kg·N/ha. Considering high rice production and a minimal environmental threat, we should fully consider controlling ammonia volatilization losses by adjusting the fertilizer type and the crop stage when the fertilizer is applied.

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SyNE: An improved indicator to assess nitrogen efficiency of farming systems

Cited by 52 publications

References 41 publications

Nitrogen flows on organic and conventional dairy farms: a comparison of three indicators

Nitrogen flows on organic and conventional dairy farms: a comparison of three indicators

Developing the EU Farm Accountancy Data Network to derive indicators around the sustainable use of nitrogen and phosphorus at farm level

Assessment of Ammonia Volatilization Losses and Nitrogen Utilization during the Rice Growing Season in Alkaline Salt-Affected Soils

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