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Soil N mineralization in a dairy production system with grass and forage crops

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Abstract

This paper describes the dynamics of soil N mineralization in the experimental intensive dairy farming system ‘De Marke’ on a dry sandy soil in the Netherlands. We hypothesized that knowledge of the effects of crop rotation on soil N mineralization and of the spatial and temporal variability of soil N mineralization in a farming system can be used to better synchronize N application with crop N requirements, and hence to increase the recovery of applied N and to reduce N losses. Soil N mineralization was recorded continuously in the soil layer 0–0.30 m, from 1992 to 2005, using a sequential in situ coring technique on six observation plots, of which two were located in permanent grassland and four in crop rotations with a 3 year grassland phase and an arable phase of 3 or 5 years, dominated by maize. Average annual soil N mineralization was highest under permanent grassland: 381 kg ha−1 and lowest under ≥3rd years arable crops: 184 kg ha−1. In temporary grassland, soil N mineralization increased in the order: 1st year, 2nd year, 3rd year grassland and in arable crops after grassland mineralization decreased in the order: 1st year, 2nd year, ≥3rd years. Total mineral N input, i.e. the sum of N mineralization and mineral N supply to soil, exceeded crop N requirements in 1st year maize and was lower than the requirements in 1st year temporary grassland. N mineralization in winter, outside the growing season, was 77 kg ha−1 in maize and 60 kg ha−1 in grassland. This points at the importance of a suitable catch crop to reduce the susceptibility to N leaching. Temporal and spatial variability of soil N mineralization was high and could not be related to known field conditions. This limits the extent to which N fertilization can be adjusted to soil N mineralization. Variability increased with the magnitude of soil N mineralization. Hence, situations with high soil N mineralization may be associated with high risks for N losses and to reduce these risks a strong build-up of soil organic N should be avoided. This might be achieved, for instance, by fermenting slurry before application on farmland to enhance the fraction mineral N in slurry at the expense of organic N.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plant Research International, PO Box 616, 6700 AP, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    J. Verloop & J. Oenema

  2. Wageningen UR Livestock Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands

    G. J. Hilhorst & L. B. J. Sebek

  3. Plant Production Systems, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    M. K. Van Ittersum

  4. Wageningen, The Netherlands

    H. Van Keulen

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  1. J. Verloop
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  2. G. J. Hilhorst
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  3. J. Oenema
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  4. H. Van Keulen
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  5. L. B. J. Sebek
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  6. M. K. Van Ittersum
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Correspondence to J. Verloop.

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H. Van Keulen: Deceased.

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Verloop, J., Hilhorst, G.J., Oenema, J. et al. Soil N mineralization in a dairy production system with grass and forage crops. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 98, 267–280 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-014-9610-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-014-9610-4

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