Advanced search
Start date
Betweenand
Related content
(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Assessing the benefits and wider costs of different N fertilisers for grassland agriculture

Full text
Author(s):
Carswell, Alison [1] ; Shaw, Rory [2] ; Hunt, John [1] ; Rafael Sanchez-Rodriguez, Antonio [2, 3] ; Saunders, Karen [1] ; Cotton, Joseph [2] ; Hill, Paul W. [2] ; Chadwick, Dave R. [2] ; Jones, Davey L. [2] ; Misselbrook, Tom H. [1]
Total Authors: 10
Affiliation:
[1] Rothamsted Res, Sustainable Agr Sci, North Wyke, Devon - England
[2] Bangor Univ, Sch Environm Nat Resources & Geog, Bangor, Gwynedd - Wales
[3] Univ Cordoba, Dept Agron, ETSIAM, Cordoba - Spain
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: ARCHIVES OF AGRONOMY AND SOIL SCIENCE; v. 65, n. 5, p. 625-639, APR 16 2019.
Web of Science Citations: 1
Abstract

Fertiliser nitrogen (N) is essential for maintaining agronomic outputs for our growing population. However, the societal, economic and environmental impacts of excess reactive N from fertiliser is rarely assessed. Here the agronomic, economic and environmental efficacy of three N-fertiliser sources, ammonium-nitrate (AN), urea (U), and inhibited-urea (IU; with NPBT) were evaluated at two grassland sites. Dry matter yield and herbage quality were measured at each silage-cut. Additionally, NH3-N and N2O-N losses were measured and used to calculate the effective N source cost and externality costs, which account for associated environmental and societal impacts. We found no effect of different N sources on yield or herbage quality. However, NH3-N emissions were significantly reduced under the IU treatment, by 48-65%. No significant differences in cumulative N2O emissions were observed. Incorporating externality costs increased fertiliser prices by 1.23-2.36, 6.51-16.4, and 3.17-4.17 times the original cost, for AN, U and IU, respectively, transforming U from the cheapest, to the most expensive of the N sources examined. However, with no apparent yield differences between N-fertiliser sources there is no economic incentive for the land-manager to use the more environmentally and socially acceptable option, unless externality costs are incorporated into fertiliser prices at the point of sale. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 15/50305-8 - A virtual joint centre to deliver enhanced nitrogen use efficiency via an integrated soil-plant systems approach for the UK & Brazil
Grantee:Ciro Antonio Rosolem
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants