Summary
This controlled greenhouse mesocosm study evaluated six cover crop treatments to identify optimal legume-cereal proportions for reducing N₂O emissions whilst maintaining agronomic benefits. The majority of emissions occurred post-incorporation, with roots contributing substantially more (57%) than shoots (31%) to total fluxes. A 33% vetch–66% rye mixture emerged as the optimal balance, maintaining N₂O emissions at levels comparable to rye monoculture whilst improving total biomass and nitrogen yield.
UK applicability
UK growers adopting cover crop mixtures for autumn/winter soil protection and spring fertility could apply these findings to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from arable systems. However, the study was conducted in controlled greenhouse conditions; field validation under UK soil and climate conditions would strengthen the transferability of the 33:66 vetch-to-rye ratio recommendation.
Key measures
N₂O emissions (post-incorporation and during growth), soil mineral N content, total dry biomass, nitrogen yield, fine and very fine root proportion, root length density, root C:N ratio, contribution of roots and shoots to total N₂O flux
Outcomes reported
The study measured N₂O fluxes, soil mineral nitrogen content, and biomass accumulation across six cover crop treatments during both the growing and post-incorporation phases. It quantified the relative contribution of roots versus shoots to total N₂O emissions and assessed the relationship between root traits and greenhouse gas production.
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