Understanding the mechanisms for the lower nitrous oxide emissions from fodder beet urine compared with kale urine from dairy cows

Abstract

Purpose: Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas and is produced in the soil by nitrification and denitrification processes. Previous studies have reported apparent lower N2O emissions from dairy cow urine from fodder beet plants than from kale plants, although the underpinning mechanisms were poorly understood. Here, we report a laboratory incubation study to improve understanding of possible mechanisms underpinning different N2O emissions from two different forage plants, fodder beet (FB) and kale. Materials and methods: The treatments included two urine sources from cows grazing FB or kale and two soils (FB soil and kale soil): FB soil control, FB soil + FB urine, FB soil + kale ur..