Summary
This multi-site field study quantified nitrous oxide emissions from six types of livestock manures applied to UK arable and grassland soils under realistic management conditions. Direct N2O emission factors ranged from −0.52% to 2.30% of applied nitrogen, with poultry manure producing higher emissions than farmyard manure or slurry in autumn applications, whilst spring application method and nitrification inhibitor use significantly influenced emissions. The findings provide country-specific Tier 2 emission factors to reduce uncertainty in UK agricultural greenhouse gas inventory reporting.
UK applicability
These findings are directly applicable to UK farming practice and policy, as the study was conducted across representative UK soil types and climatic conditions using typical manure application methods. The derived emission factors have been adopted into the UK national agriculture greenhouse gas inventory, making the results highly relevant for UK agricultural emissions accounting and climate reporting.
Key measures
Direct N2O emission factors (% of total nitrogen applied); ammonia emissions; nitrate leaching losses; effect of application method (bandspread vs. surface broadcast); effect of nitrification inhibitor (Dicyandiamide)
Outcomes reported
The study measured direct and indirect nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from six types of livestock manures (pig slurry, cattle slurry, cattle and pig farmyard manure, poultry layer manure, and broiler litter) applied to arable and grassland soils across six UK field sites between 2011 and 2013. Country-specific N2O emission factors were derived to improve the accuracy of the UK national agricultural greenhouse gas inventory.
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