Summary
This narrative review examines the potential of ribwort plantain as an alternative forage crop to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from grazing dairy systems in temperate northern climates, particularly relevant to United Kingdom agriculture's Net Zero 2050 targets. The authors synthesise evidence for three distinct pathways through which plantain may improve nitrogen use efficiency and reduce nitrous oxide emissions: lowering urinary nitrogen concentration, enhancing nitrogen utilisation within ruminants, and promoting biological nitrification inhibition in soils. The review identifies outstanding research questions necessary for farmers to confidently adopt plantain into grazing platforms.
UK applicability
Directly applicable to United Kingdom dairy farming, particularly Northern Ireland where the study context is set. The findings address policy drivers (UK Net Zero 2050 targets) and environmental challenges specific to temperate grazing systems, though the review notes that further research is needed before farmers can confidently implement these alternatives at scale.
Key measures
Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), urinary nitrogen concentration, nitrogen leaching from urine patches, animal performance metrics, forage production, nitrogenous emissions (nitrous oxide), soil nitrogen retention
Outcomes reported
This review synthesised evidence on how ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata) affects nitrogen use efficiency, nitrogenous emissions, animal performance, and forage production in grazing dairy systems. The paper identified three mechanisms by which plantain may reduce environmental impact: reducing urinary nitrogen concentration, improving nitrogen utilisation efficiency within dairy cows, and enhancing soil nitrogen retention through root exudate-mediated biological nitrification inhibition.
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