N2O‐Freisetzung auf gemähtem Dauergrünland in Abhängigkeit von Standort und N‐Düngung

Abstract

N2O Emissions from True Meadows Dependent on Location and N Fertilization Agricultural production is thought to be a main anthropogenic emitter of nitrous oxide (N2O), which contributes to global warming and the destruction of the ozone layer. There is still considerable uncertainty about the amount of N2O emission, and the site‐specific parameters that affect N2O emission. From October 1995 until March 1998 experiments were conducted at established field plots (true meadows) at three different sites, i.e. low mountain range (Eifel), lowland (Niederrhein), and moist meadows (Münsterland). Plots were fertilized with calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) at nitrogen equivalents ranging from 0 to 360 kg N ha–1. N2O fluxes were measured throughout the whole year using the closed‐chamber method. In addition, data on temperature, water‐filled pore space and precipitation were collected. N2O emission rates (mg N2O‐N ha–1 h–1) were highest either after fertilizer application or in winter during frost, depending on the experimental site and N dosage. The annual amount of N losses due to N2O emission was dependent on the experimental site and the type and dosage of fertilizer. Disregarding the 360 kg N ha–1 level of the CAN treatments, the N losses in this experiment were less than 1.5 kg N2O‐N ha–1 yr–1. At low fertilizer dosage there was no reliable correlation between the amount of N that was applied and the amount of N2O that was emitted. However, with high fertilizer levels the N2O emissions increased gradually. Finally, N2O emissions were more influenced by the amount of CAN than by the site.