Åsmund Mikalsen Kvifte
Research Scientist
(+47) 954 71 247
asmund.kvifte@nibio.no
Place
Fureneset
Visiting address
Fure, 6967 Hellevik i fjaler
Abstract
Manures are potentially both a source of nutrients for plants and a source of pollution. Manure produced depends on animal densities and type rather than plants need. Over time, this has enriched soils with P and organic N. The challenge is maximal nutrient recycling and minimal pollution from the manure used for plant production. To investigate the optimal seasonal distribution of manure, field experiments were carried out in 2022 and 2023 on grassland in three agricultural regions in Norway. Three distributions of cattle slurry at 30 kg P ha–1 were tested, with or without additional N fertilizer. These were compared with control treatments without slurry: no fertilizer, and compound NPK and NK fertilizers. Different distributions had little effect on grass yield and uptake of P and N. Applying a larger proportion of manure in spring increased grass yield, while additional mineral N fertilizer significantly increased yield but reduced N use efficiency. Slurry alone gave a P surplus, while added mineral N fertilizer allowed a net mining of P. There seems therefore to be a trade-off regarding whether the efficient use of N or P is to be prioritized. The decision should likely depend on required yields as well as local pollution risks.
Abstract
More than 2/3rds of Norway’s agricultural area are grassland, and more than half of it is over 5 years old. Renewing old grassland increases annual yield but causes yield loss during renewal. Parts of the increased yield is due to replacement of low-productive species with high production species and cultivars, replacing biodiversity with productivity. Finding the optimal rate of renewal requires long term experiments to compare the sustainability of different strategies. Therefore, three field experiments were established to investigate the effect of difference renewal and harvest strategies on grass yield and quality, on similar mineral soil at Særheim (58.5°N, 5.6°E) in 1968 and Fureneset (61.3°N,5.0°E) in 1974, and on peat soil at Svanhovd (69.5°N,30.0°E) in 1968. Until 1991, the experiment included non-renewed treatments, and renewal every 3rd or 6th year. It was cut either two or three times a year, with autumn grazing on parts of the two-cut regime. The experiment was simplified in 1992, with the establishment of another non-renewed treatment, all treatments being cut 3 times a year (2 at Svanhovd), no grazing but contrasting slurry and compound fertilizer applications. This phase lasted until 2011, followed by period with no renewal and minimal registration. The third phase started in 2016, with renewal of all treatments at Fureneset and Særheim, except the permanent grassland from 1968/1974. Duration between renewals was doubled, and fertilizer applications revised. Presenting results from the third phase, we show that five to six years are required to recoup and significantly over-yield the non-renewed grassland. We will use soil chemical and physical properties, fertilizer application and yield gaps as well as ecological succession from sown seed mixture in 2017 till 2022 grassland to discuss the why we needed six years for all renewed treatments to over-yield permanent grassland from 1974.
Abstract
In Norway, the effect of drainage on grassland yields has received little attention for decades. Low level of drainage may be a reason for low grassland production. Therefore, a drainage experiment was established in a western Norwegian ley, on a sandy silt soil with a high capacity for water storage. The plots had six and twelve meters drain spacing, as well as undrained. There were two or three cuts, and fertilization of 190 or 290 kg N yr-1 ha-1. Drainage intensity gave a small significant increase in yield. N loss in drainage water increased with drainage intensity. The yield increase is likely too small to justify drainage, but the intervention might still be worthwhile due to increased N efficiency and a more manageable risk of compaction. A precise quantification of the hydrological effects is hard due to inherent soil variability.
Division of Environment and Natural Resources
Nutrient balances and use efficiencies for the Timebekken catchment
Grass-based livestock production is important for economy in Rogaland, but concerns are increasingover soil nutrient surplus that contribute to degraded water quality in downstream water bodies. Inthis project, we will improve the understanding of nutrient balances and use efficiencies in Rogalandby measuring grass yield, nutrient contents in grass and total nutrient removal through cropregistration and nutrient analyses in 15 representative fields over two years in the Timebekkencatchment.
Division of Environment and Natural Resources
Climate- and environmentally friendly use of animal manure
There is a need to update knowledge about the utilization and loss of nitrogen and phosphorus from livestock manure in order to assist the authorities and the agricultural industry in meeting climate and environmental targets. There is a major focus on the use of phosphorus, phosphorus content in soil and runoff to waterways in connection with the revision of the fertilizer regulations. The time and method of spreading livestock manure, as well as the total amount of manure used, are important factors that influence the loss. Reduced ammonia volatilization and runoff of nitrogen reduces indirect nitrous oxide losses from livestock manure, but also direct and indirect nitrous oxide emissions through reduced use of mineral fertiliser. The project includes a literature compilation and field measurements to measure the utilization of nutrients at different spreading times for livestock manure in different parts of the country. In the project, field measurements will be made on the effect of different spreading times on the utilization of nitrogen and phosphorus for plant growth. The field measurements are carried out in Rogaland, Vestland and Trøndelag county.