Summary
This field study applied an advanced triple stable isotope tracing technique to simultaneously resolve multiple nitrogen transformation pathways in a UK grassland soil. By distinguishing three separate 15N labels, the authors overcame limitations of conventional single-label approaches and quantified the relative contributions of nitrification, denitrification, and mineralisation. The methodological innovation and empirical data on soil N cycling mechanisms in temperate grasslands offer practical value for optimising nutrient management and predicting nitrogen losses in pastoral systems.
UK applicability
The findings are directly applicable to UK grassland and dairy farming systems, informing management practices that could reduce nitrogen losses and greenhouse gas emissions whilst maintaining productivity. The soil conditions, climate, and grassland management studied reflect widespread UK farming contexts.
Key measures
15N abundance in soil mineral nitrogen pools, nitrous oxide (N₂O) and dinitrogen (N₂) gas emissions, nitrogen mineralisation rates, nitrification rates, denitrification rates
Outcomes reported
The study quantified simultaneous nitrogen transformation pathways (nitrification, denitrification, and mineralisation) in grassland soil using three distinct 15N labels. The triple-labelling approach enabled differentiation of competing soil N processes with greater precision than single-label methods.
Topic tags
Dig deeper with Pulse AI.
Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.