Summary
This field study (2011–2013) measured N2O emissions from six types of livestock manure applied to UK arable and grassland soils under representative management practices, generating robust country-specific emission factors for the national greenhouse gas inventory. Direct N2O EFs varied substantially (−0.52 to 2.30% of applied nitrogen), with poultry manure consistently producing higher emissions than farmyard manure and slurry, whilst application method and the nitrification inhibitor Dicyandiamide (DCD) showed context-dependent effects on emissions.
UK applicability
The findings directly support UK national agricultural greenhouse gas inventory reporting and Tier 2 country-specific emission factor derivation, reducing uncertainty in regional N2O inventory estimates. The study's use of representative UK soil types, manure types and application methods at six sites enhances the applicability of results to UK farming conditions.
Key measures
Nitrous oxide emission factors (% of total nitrogen applied); ammonia emissions; nitrate leaching losses; direct and indirect N2O losses
Outcomes reported
The study calculated direct and indirect N2O emission factors from livestock manures (pig slurry, cattle slurry, cattle FYM, pig FYM, poultry layer manure and broiler litter) applied to UK arable and grassland soils. Results ranged from -0.52 to 2.30% of total nitrogen applied, with variability driven by manure type, application method, incorporation, and climatic conditions.
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