Publication Date
1997
Description
The objective of this study was to estimate the annual input of nitrogen through biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) to a grass-clover pasture (Lolium perenne L. - Trifolium repens L.) grazed by dairy cows. The input was estimated by combining measurements of BNF in non-grazed plots, BNF in urine affected plots and estimates of the proportion of the pasture affected by urine. Total BNF in non-grazed plot was 75 and 256 kg N ha-1 in 1994 and 1995, respectively. Urine affected BNF both by decreasing the proportion of clover and by decreasing the proportion of N derived from the atmosphere. The average annual reduction in BNF in the grazed pasture due to animal urination was estimated to 14-21%.
Citation
Vinther, F P.; Søegaard, K; and Aaes, O, "Biological Nitrogen Fixation in a Grass-Clover Pasture Grazed by Dairy Cows" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1997-2023). 9.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session10/9
Included in
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Biological Nitrogen Fixation in a Grass-Clover Pasture Grazed by Dairy Cows
The objective of this study was to estimate the annual input of nitrogen through biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) to a grass-clover pasture (Lolium perenne L. - Trifolium repens L.) grazed by dairy cows. The input was estimated by combining measurements of BNF in non-grazed plots, BNF in urine affected plots and estimates of the proportion of the pasture affected by urine. Total BNF in non-grazed plot was 75 and 256 kg N ha-1 in 1994 and 1995, respectively. Urine affected BNF both by decreasing the proportion of clover and by decreasing the proportion of N derived from the atmosphere. The average annual reduction in BNF in the grazed pasture due to animal urination was estimated to 14-21%.
