Effects of ageing and cultivation of grassland on soil nitrogen

Nitrogen losses from agriculture in the Netherlands have to be strongly decreased because of national and international policy (e.g. Nitrate Directive). The cultivation of grassland when grassland is renewed or converted into arable land may enhance net nitrogen mineralization and, thereby, nitrogen losses via leaching and denitrification. These nitrogen losses can be decreased by adjustment of management, but a good insight into the soil processes during ageing and after cultivation of grassland is required. A literature study was carried out to quantify the effects of ageing and cultivation... Mehr ...