Synnøve Rivedal
Research Station Manager
(+47) 975 85 474
synnove.rivedal@nibio.no
Place
Fureneset
Visiting address
Fure, 6967 Hellevik i fjaler
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
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.
Authors
Alice Budai Daniel Rasse Thomas Cottis Erik J. Joner Vegard Martinsen Adam O'Toole Hugh Riley Synnøve Rivedal Ievina Sturite Gunnhild Søgaard Simon Weldon Samson ØpstadAbstract
Carbon content is a key property of soils with importance for all ecosystem functions. Measures to increase soil carbon storage are suggested with the aim to compensate for agricultural emissions. In Norway, where soils have relatively high carbon content because of the cold climate, adapting management practices that prevent the loss of carbon to the atmosphere in response to climate change is also important. This work presents an overview of the potential for carbon sequestration in Norway from a wide range of agricultural management practices and provides recommendations based on certainty in the reported potential, availability of the technology, and likelihood for implementation by farmers. In light of the high priority assigned to increased food production and degree of self-sufficiency in Norway, the following measures were considered: (1) utilization of organic resources, (2) use of biochar, (3) crop diversification and the use of cover crops, (4) use of plants with larger and deeper root systems, (5) improved management of meadows, (6) adaptive grazing of productive grasslands (7) managing grazing in extensive grasslands, (8) altered tillage practices, and (9) inversion of cultivated peat with mineral soil. From the options assessed, the use of cover crops scored well on all criteria evaluated, with a higher sequestration potential than previously estimated (0.2 Mt CO2-equivalents annually). Biochar has the largest potential in Norway (0.9 Mt CO2-equivalents annually, corresponding to 20% of Norwegian agricultural emissions and 2% of total national emissions), but its readiness level is not yet achieved despite interest from industry to apply this technology at large scale. Extensive grazing and the use of deep-rooted plants also have the potential for increasing carbon storage, but there is uncertainty regarding their implementation and the quantification of effects from adapting these measures. Based on the complexities of implementation and the expected impacts within a Norwegian context, promising options with substantial payoff are few. This work sheds light on the knowledge gaps remaining before the presented measures can be implemented.
