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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Strategic grazing management and nitrous oxide fluxes from pasture soils in tropical dairy systems

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Author(s):
Congio, Guilhermo F. S. [1] ; Chiavegato, Marilia B. [1] ; Batalha, Camila D. A. [1] ; Oliveira, Patricia P. A. [2] ; Maxwell, Thomas M. R. [3] ; Gregorini, Pablo [3] ; Da Silva, Sila C. [1]
Total Authors: 7
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Anim Sci Dept, Luiz de Queiroz Coll Agr USP ESALQ, Piracicaba, SP - Brazil
[2] Embrapa Pecuaria Sudeste, Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil
[3] Lincoln Univ, Fac Agr & Life Sci, Christchurch - New Zealand
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: Science of The Total Environment; v. 676, p. 493-500, AUG 1 2019.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

Greenhouse gases emissions are considered one of the most important environmental issues of dairy farming systems. Nitrous oxide (N2O) has particular importance owing to its global warming potential and stratospheric ozone depletion. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of two rotational grazing strategies characterized by two pre-grazing targets (95% and maximum canopy light interception: LI95% and LIMax, respectively) on milk production efficiency and N2O fluxes from soil in a tropical dairy farming system based on elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Cameroon). Results indicated that LI95% pre-grazing target provided more frequent defoliations than LIMax.Water-filled pore space, soil and chamber temperatures were affected by sampling periods (P-1 and P-2). There was a significant pre-grazing target treatment x sampling period interaction effect on soil NH4+ concentration, which was most likely associated with urinary-N discharge. During P-1, there was a greater urinary-N discharge for LI95% than LIMax (26.3 vs. 20.9 kg of urinary-N/paddock) caused by higher stocking rate, which resulted in greater N2O fluxes for LI95%. Inversely, during P-2, the soil NH4+ and N2O fluxes were greater for LIMax than LI95%. During this period, the greater urinary-N discharge (46.8 vs. 44.8 kg of urinary-N/paddock) was likely associated with longer stocking period for LIMax relative to LI95%, since both treatments had similar stocking rate. Converting hourly N2O fluxes to daily basis and relating to milk production efficiency, LI95% was 40% more efficient than LIMax (0.34 vs. 0.57 g N-N2O/kg milk .ha). In addition, LI(95% )pre-grazing target decreased urea-N loading per milk production by 34%. Strategic grazing management represented by the LI95% pre-grazing target allows for intensification of tropical pasture-based dairy systems, enhanced milk production efficiency and decreased N-N2O emission intensity. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 14/20182-9 - Grazing management strategies, performance and enteric methane emissions of dairy cows on elephant grass cv. Cameroon
Grantee:Marilia Barbosa Chiavegato
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
FAPESP's process: 16/22040-2 - Nutritive value, milk yield and greenhouse gas emissions in elephant grass cv. Cameroon subjected to strategies of rotational grazing by dairy cows
Grantee:Sila Carneiro da Silva
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants