Abstract
Replacement of high-input N fertilized pastures with low-input grass-legume pastures may provide a mitigation option to reduce agricultural N2O emissions. This study examined the relationship between N-cycling rates and N2O production and evolution from the root zone of grass-clover pastures of various ages (production year 1, 2 and 8). The experimental approach included cross-labelling pasture monoliths with 15N-enriched substrates to identify sources of N2O, in combination with assessment of gross N mineralization and nitrification. Nitrous oxide emissions were generally low, fluctuating between 82 and 136μg N2O–N m−2 d−1, independent of pasture age. The 15N labelling indicated that at least 50% of the N2O was derived from the soil NH +4 pool, approaching 100% in June. In the two year old pasture the NH +4 pool contributions to N2O emissions varied significantly with sampling time. Emission rates of N2O correlated positively with soil NH +4 concentrations and the NH +4 supply as expressed by gross mineralization. The N2O emissions showed a significant inverse relationship with soil NO −3 , but was not correlated with the supply of NO −3 as expressed by gross nitrification. The ratio N2O vs. nitrification averaged 0.05% (range 0.004 to 0.29%) and varied with sampling time showing the lowest value in wet soil conditions.
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Ambus, P. Relationship Between Gross Nitrogen Cycling and Nitrous Oxide Emissionin Grass-clover Pasture. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 72, 189–199 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-005-1269-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-005-1269-4