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

Leaching of dissolved organic nitrogen in long-term organic and conventional crop rotations in Denmark

Binbin Zhang; Sihui Yan; Ji Chen; Jim Rasmussen; Peter Sørensen; Shufang Wu; Jørgen E. Olesen

European Journal of Agronomy · 2025

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Summary

This study investigates dissolved organic nitrogen leaching from long-term organic and conventional arable crop rotations at Danish experimental sites, contributing to understanding of nitrogen loss pathways often overlooked in conventional nutrient budgeting. By comparing managed systems over extended periods, the paper likely demonstrates that DON constitutes a non-trivial fraction of total nitrogen leaching and that its magnitude may differ between organic and conventionally managed systems. The findings add nuance to assessments of nitrogen use efficiency and environmental impact of organic versus conventional farming.

UK applicability

The findings are broadly applicable to UK arable systems, particularly in regions with similar temperate climates and tile-drained soils; they are relevant to UK policy debates around nitrate leaching, organic farming incentives under agri-environment schemes, and farm-level nitrogen management under post-Brexit agricultural regulation.

Key measures

Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) concentrations (mg N/L); leaching losses (kg N/ha); crop rotation type (organic vs conventional); potentially total nitrogen leaching and inorganic nitrogen fractions

Outcomes reported

The study measured dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) losses through leaching under contrasting long-term organic and conventional crop rotation systems in Denmark. It likely quantified DON concentrations and fluxes in drainage water and assessed how management practices influence nitrogen loss pathways.

Theme
Farming systems, soils & land use
Subject
Nitrogen cycling & water quality
Study type
Research
Study design
Field trial
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
Denmark
System type
Arable cereals
DOI
10.1016/j.eja.2024.127482
Catalogue ID
NRmo3f02hq-02x

Topic tags

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