Risk of nitrate leaching at grassland renovation in spring versus autumn in the Netherlands

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference paperAcademic

Abstract

In the Netherlands farmers renovate grassland when the botanical composition has deteriorated. This is done by destroying the sward followed by tillage and reseeding. Farmers prefer renovation in August over renovation in spring due to a higher success rate and reduced loss of production. The risk of nitrogen (N) loss by leaching, however, is expected to be higher in August because of high N mineralization from the old sward. In the Netherlands grassland renovation in the period 1 June–31 August is only allowed with a reduction on the N application standard of 50 kg ha –1. To assess how much this and other measures reduce the risk of N leaching, a field experiment was laid out. The treatments were reduction of tillage or N fertilization, mechanical destruction, and use of a nitrification inhibitor, compared with regular renovation in August, renovation in spring, and cultivation of maize. Observations were soil-mineral N in autumn, and nitrate concentration in groundwater the following February. All measures reduced the risk of nitrate leaching. The risk of nitrate leaching with grassland renovation in August was, however, still higher than no renovation, renovation in spring, or cultivation of maize. The highest risk of N leaching was found on the treatment with renovation in August by mechanical destruction of the sward.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationWhy grasslands?
Subtitle of host publicationProceedings of the 30th General Meeting of the European Grassland Federation Leeuwarden, the Netherlands 9-13 June 2024
EditorsC.W. Klootwijk, M. Bruinenberg, M. Cougnon, N.J. Hoekstra, R. Ripoll-Bosch, S. Schelfhout, R.L.M. Schils, T. Vanden Nest, N. van Eekeren, W. Voskamp-Harkema, A. van den Pol-van Dasselaar
Place of PublicationLeiden
PublisherBrill
Pages762-764
ISBN (Electronic)9789090384948
Publication statusPublished - 2024
Event30th General Meeting of the European Grassland Federation (EGF2024): Why grasslands? - Leeuwarden, Netherlands
Duration: 9 Jun 202413 Jun 2024

Publication series

NameGrassland Science in Europe
Volume29

Conference/symposium

Conference/symposium30th General Meeting of the European Grassland Federation (EGF2024)
Country/TerritoryNetherlands
CityLeeuwarden
Period9/06/2413/06/24

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