Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Effect of the application of cattle urine with or without the nitrification inhibitor DCD, and dung on greenhouse gas emissions from a UK grassland soil

L. M. Cardenas, T. H. Misselbrook, C. J. Hodgson, N. Donovan, S. L. Gilhespy, Keith A. Smith, M.S. Dhanoa, David R. Chadwick

Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment · 2016

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Summary

This field trial quantified greenhouse gas emissions separately from cattle urine and dung applications on UK grassland, addressing significant gaps in spatiotemporal emission data from grazed pastoral systems. The research tested the nitrification inhibitor DCD as a potential mitigation strategy and generated emission factors intended to improve agricultural greenhouse gas inventory methodologies. The findings provide evidence for management practices that could reduce emissions from pastoral livestock production.

UK applicability

The study was conducted on UK grassland under UK conditions, making its findings directly applicable to UK pastoral farming systems and inventory reporting under the IPCC framework. Results inform mitigation options available to UK livestock farmers and contribute to evidence for agricultural policy related to emissions reduction.

Key measures

N₂O and CH₄ emission factors (kg N₂O-N/kg N excreted; kg CH₄/kg dry matter) from cattle urine and dung; cumulative emissions over measurement periods; effect of DCD application on emission reduction

Outcomes reported

The study measured nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄) emissions from grassland soil following separate applications of cattle urine and dung at different times during the grazing season. It evaluated the effectiveness of the nitrification inhibitor DCD in reducing emissions from urine application.

Theme
Climate & resilience
Subject
Climate & greenhouse gas mitigation
Study type
Research
Study design
Field trial
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
United Kingdom
System type
Pasture-based livestock
DOI
10.1016/j.agee.2016.10.025
Catalogue ID
BFmobghqjf-497lvk

Topic tags

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