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Nitrogen balances and nitrogen-use efficiency of different organic and conventional farming systems

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Abstract

Nitrogen (N) is the most important yield-limiting factor in agricultural systems, however, N application can lead to emissions and environmental problems such as global warming (N2O) and groundwater contamination (NO3 −). This study analyses the N balance, nitrogen-use efficiency, and N loss potential of conventional farming systems (arable farming, improved arable farming, and agroforestry) and organic farming systems (mixed farming, arable farming, and agroforestry) based on long-term field experiments in southern Germany. The effects of the conversion of farm structure and N management are identified. The conventional farming systems in this study were high N-input and high N-output systems. The conventional arable farming system had the lowest nitrogen-use efficiency and the highest N surplus. An optimised N management and the use of high-yielding crop varieties improved its nitrogen-use efficiency. The establishment of conventional agroforestry resulted in the reduction of N input, N output and N surplus, while maintaining high yields. The organic mixed farming system is characterised by a relatively high N input and N output, the accumulation of soil organic nitrogen, the highest nitrogen-use efficiency, and the lowest N surplus of all analysed systems. These good results can be attributed to the intensive farm N cycle between soil–plant–animal. The shift from organic mixed farming to organic arable farming system extensified the N cycle, reduced N input, crop yield and N output. The change from organic arable farming to organic agroforestry reduced the N input, increased the biomass yield, and remained the N surplus within an optimal range.

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  1. Lehrstuhl für Ökologischen Landbau und Pflanzenbausysteme, Technische Universität München, Liesel-Beckmann-Straße 2, 85354, Freising, Germany

    Hung-Chun Lin, Julia A. Huber & Kurt-Jürgen Hülsbergen

  2. Versuchsgut Scheyern, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Prielhof 1, 85298, Scheyern, Germany

    Georg Gerl

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  1. Hung-Chun Lin
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Lin, HC., Huber, J.A., Gerl, G. et al. Nitrogen balances and nitrogen-use efficiency of different organic and conventional farming systems. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 105, 1–23 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-016-9770-5

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