Summary
This field-based study examined whether introducing botanical diversity into intensive grassland swards can reduce nitrous oxide emissions, a potent greenhouse gas from managed pastures. The findings suggest that multi-species mixtures may offer a practical means of lowering agricultural N2O emissions whilst maintaining productivity in intensively farmed grassland systems. The research contributes evidence for climate-mitigation strategies within sustainable intensification of grassland-based livestock farming.
UK applicability
The study was conducted under UK conditions and directly addresses emissions from intensive grassland management, which is a dominant farming system across the United Kingdom. The findings are directly applicable to UK grassland farmers and policy-makers seeking to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions whilst maintaining livestock productivity.
Key measures
Nitrous oxide emissions (N2O flux); herbage yield and botanical composition; soil conditions in intensive grassland systems
Outcomes reported
The study measured nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from intensively managed grassland swards under different botanical compositions. It evaluated whether multi-species plant mixtures could reduce N2O emissions relative to monoculture or simpler grassland swards without compromising herbage productivity.
Topic tags
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