N and P losses from two crop rotations on a clay soil with applications of liquid manure

• In Sweden, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) leaching losses and mitigation strategies for cropping systems using liquid manure have been studied on sandy soils, e.g. at Mellby experimental field in southern Sweden (Halmstad, 7.2 oC and 803 mm) (Torstensson & Aronsson, 2000). In 2008, a corresponding experiment was established on a clay soil in a neighbouring field (Lilla Böslid; 30% clay) in order to enable estimations of leaching and recommendations relating to the use of pig and cattle slurry for clay soils in this region. The field consists of 36 separately tile-drained plots with flow-proportional water sampling for estimations of nutrient leaching. Two crop rotations, representing pig and dairy production, are being studied, including control plots (Table 1). The main objectives of the studies, which started in 2010, are to: 1) quantify P leaching from this soil, 2) determine how N and P leaching is affected by time of slurry application to different crops (with and without incorporation) and 3) identify possibilities for improving N and P use efficiency on farms with intensive livestock production. Transport of dissolved dinitrous oxide in drainage water is also being measured in a connected project together with Halmstad University. The study is being funded by the Swedish Farmers' Foundation for Agricultural Research.

Subject headings

LANTBRUKSVETENSKAPER  -- Lantbruksvetenskap, skogsbruk och fiske -- Markvetenskap (hsv//swe)

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES  -- Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries -- Soil Science (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

kon (subject category)