Nitrate dynamics of grass-legume pastures

Abstract

In response to environmental concerns about NO3- leaching research has shifted toward the increased incorporation of nitrogen-fixing legumes, such as red clover, into agroecosystems to promote tighter cycling of nitrogen (N). Although more sustainable than fertilized systems, red clover still has the potential to contribute to leaching. The objective of this study was to ascertain the contribution of red clover to soil NO3- when grown in mixture with bluegrass. Soil solute samples were collected at 15 and 45 cm depth using ceramic suction lysimeters from two experimental pastures in Nova Scotia in 2009. The concentration of NO3--N in the soil solute of bluegrass-red clover mixtures was 10 to 25 times higher in Truro, and 5 to 16 times greater in Nappan, compared to the corresponding unfertilized pure bluegrass stand. Neither sub-surface irrigation nor two distinct red clover cultivar mixtures were found to significantly alter NO3- leaching patterns.