Summary
This combined mesocosm and field study investigated whether plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.), a temperate forage species with nitrification-inhibiting secondary compounds, could reduce reactive nitrogen losses from dairy grasslands on peat soils. The presence of plantain significantly reduced nitrous oxide fluxes by 39% in field conditions and lowered potential nitrification rates in mesocosm experiments, though the relationship between plantain quantity and outcome was not consistently linear. The findings suggest plantain inclusion represents a management option for mitigating nitrogen losses in high-emission dairy systems on organic soils.
UK applicability
These results are directly applicable to United Kingdom dairy farming on peat soils, particularly in regions with high water tables and intensive grassland use where nitrous oxide emissions are a significant concern. The use of plantain as a forage species is compatible with UK temperate climate conditions and existing grazing systems, offering a potential on-farm mitigation strategy without requiring major system redesign.
Key measures
Potential nitrification rates; soil nitrate concentrations; nitrous oxide flux reductions (%); nitrogen use efficiency; herbage composition by plantain share (100%, 66%, 33%, 0%)
Outcomes reported
The study measured potential nitrification rates, soil nitrate concentrations, nitrous oxide fluxes, and nitrogen use efficiency across four treatment levels of plantain versus perennial ryegrass in both controlled mesocosm and field settings on peat soils.
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