Effects of Tillage, Simulated Cattle Grazing and Soil Moisture on N sub(2)O Emissions from a Winter Forage Crop

Effects of tillage, simulated cattle grazing and soil moisture on nitrous oxide (N sub(2)O) emissions from a winter forage crop are investigated. During winter, soils can remain wet for long periods and under these conditions grazing of forage crops is likely to result in soil damage by animal tread...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Plant and soil 2008-08, Vol.309 (1), p.131-131
Main Authors: Thomas, S M, Beare, M H, Francis, G S, Barlow, HE, Hedderley, DI
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Effects of tillage, simulated cattle grazing and soil moisture on nitrous oxide (N sub(2)O) emissions from a winter forage crop are investigated. During winter, soils can remain wet for long periods and under these conditions grazing of forage crops is likely to result in soil damage by animal treading causing compaction and changes to soil porosity, soil gas diffusion and soil moisture conditions that are likely to enhance N sub(2)O emissions from grazed crops, notably under urine patches. The findings support hypothesis that the use of no- tillage practices to establish winter forage crops out of pasture reduces soil compaction by grazing. This results in lower emissions of N sub(2)O from urine patches compared with forage crops established with conventional and minimum tillage systems where livestock treading occurs.
ISSN:0032-079X