Summary
This field study (2011–2013) across six UK sites derived country-specific emission factors for nitrous oxide from livestock manures applied to arable and grassland soils. Direct N2O EFs varied substantially (−0.52 to 2.30% of N applied) depending on manure type, application method, incorporation practice, and climate. The findings—particularly that poultry manure produced higher autumn EFs than farmyard manure and slurry, and that the nitrification inhibitor DCD reduced spring slurry emissions by 45%—have been incorporated into the UK national agriculture greenhouse gas inventory as robust Tier 2 estimates.
UK applicability
These findings directly inform UK national agricultural greenhouse gas inventory reporting and reduce uncertainty in regional N2O estimates. The country-specific emission factors derived are intended for enhanced UK climate reporting and may support policy decisions on manure management practices to mitigate agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.
Key measures
Nitrous oxide emission factors (% of total N applied); ammonia emissions; nitrate leaching; manure composition; application method effects; nitrification inhibitor efficacy
Outcomes reported
The study calculated direct nitrous oxide emission factors (EFs) from field measurements of six manure types applied to arable and grassland soils, ranging from −0.52 to 2.30% of total nitrogen applied. Indirect N2O losses from ammonia emissions and nitrate leaching were also quantified to inform UK national greenhouse gas inventory estimates.
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