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Nitrogen dynamics after low-emission applications of dairy slurry or fertilizer on perennial grass: a long term field study employing natural abundance of δ15N

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Abstract

Background

Defining the long-term effects of liquid dairy manure (LDM) applied by a recommended low emission method is important to ensure sustainable grass production and dairy operations. We used natural abundance δ15N and conventional measurements in a long term field experiment to better understand the long-term fate of N applied as LDM, mineral fertilizer (MIN) and both (ALT).

Methods

We investigated the effects of long-term applications of LDM (with low-emission trailing shoe), MIN, and alternating LDM and MIN (ALT) on grass N uptake, soil N stocks, N losses and δ15N natural abundance in grass, soil and fine heavy fraction (silt + clay size heavy soil). Nominal annual rates of total N were 200 and 400 kg ha−1 for MIN and 400 and 800 kg ha−1 for LDM.

Results

MIN and LDM (at 400 kg N ha−1) had similar NUE but LDM accumulated more total soil N (13% of applied) with less losses than MIN; ALT had high yields and losses. Herbage δ15N of MIN declined to near MIN levels after 10–15 years, indicating influence of pre trial management. Herbage δ15N of LDM was consistently lower than applied LDM, implying uptake of depleted urine N. High rates of enriched LDM had little effect on soil δ15N suggesting soil N was quite stable and enriched N was lost by non discriminating pathways like leaching. The physically protected fine heavy fraction contained most soil N.

Conclusion

Clearer understanding of long-term N dynamics can improve sustainability of heavily fertilized perennial grasses on dairy farms.

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Abbreviations

LDM:

Liquid dairy manure

MIN:

Mineral fertilizer

TAN:

Total ammoniacal nitrogen

TN:

Total nitrogen

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. Dr. J.E. Compton of USEPA, Corvallis, OR, for her invaluable advice and insights that greatly improved the manuscript. Several technicians carried out this project over its long history including F. Bounaix, X. Wu, A. Friesen, D. Babuin and many students assisted with field and laboratory work. The project was funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Agassiz Research and Development Centre, Box 1000, Agassiz, V0M1A0, BC, Canada

    H. Zhang, D. E. Hunt & S. Bittman

  2. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, 5403 1 Ave S, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 4B1, Canada

    B. Ellert

  3. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Quebec Research and Development Centre, 2560 Hochelaga Blvd, Quebec, QC, G1V 2J3, Canada

    E. Maillard & D. A. Angers

  4. USDA-ARS Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit, University Park, PA, 16802, USA

    P. J. A. Kleinman

  5. USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, Las Cruces, NM, 88003, USA

    S. Spiegal

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  1. H. Zhang
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Correspondence to S. Bittman.

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Responsible Editor: Zucong Cai.

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Core Ideas

• Long term NUE of 65% for both low-emission LDM and MIN (at 400 kg N ha-1), but LDM accumulated more soil N (13% of applied) and MIN had greater N losses.

• Using natural abundance δ15N, effect of pre-trial management on MIN and Control herbage was evident for 10-15 years.

• Weak effect of enriched LDM on herbage δ15N suggests substantial plant uptake of depleted urine N which was likely helped by low-emission application.

• Weak effect of large amounts of enriched LDM on soil δ15N suggests stable soil N and loss of added enriched N by non-discriminating processes like leaching.

• Most soil N was in physically protected fine heavy fraction.

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Zhang, H., Hunt, D.E., Ellert, B. et al. Nitrogen dynamics after low-emission applications of dairy slurry or fertilizer on perennial grass: a long term field study employing natural abundance of δ15N. Plant Soil 465, 415–430 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-021-04998-7

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