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Nitrogen fertilization, irrigation and concentrate feeding are important factors in rotational pasture management for dairy farms in South Africa. The extent to which these factors affect environmental efficiency is subject to current and intense debate among scientists. A three-year field study was conducted to investigate the yield response of different N-fertilizer treatments (0 (N0), 220 (N20), 440 (N40), 660 (N60) and 880 (N80) kg N ha−1 year−1) on grazed pastures and to calculate the carbon footprint (CF) of milk produced. Excessive N-fertilization (N60 and N80) did not increase herbage dry matter and energy yields from pastures. However, N80 indicated the highest N-yield but at the same time also the highest N surpluses at field level. A maximum fertilizer rate of 220 kg ha−1 year−1 (in addition to excreted N from grazing animals) appears sufficient to ensure adequate herbage yields (~20 t DM ha−1 year−1) with a slightly positive field-N-balance. This amount will prevent the depletion of soil C and N, with low N losses to the environment, where adequate milk yields of ~17 t ECM ha−1 with a low CF (~1.3 kg CO2 kg ECM−1) are reached. Methane from enteric fermentation (~49% ± 3.3) and N2O (~16% ± 3.2) emissions from irrigated pastures were the main contributors to the CF. A further CF reduction can be achieved by improved N-fertilization planning, low emission irrigation techniques and strategies to limit N2O emissions from pasture soils in South Africa.
Hendrik Smit; Thorsten Reinsch; Pieter Swanepoel; Ralf Loges; Christof Kluß; Friedhelm Taube. Environmental Impact of Rotationally Grazed Pastures at Different Management Intensities in South Africa. Animals 2021, 11, 1214 .
AMA StyleHendrik Smit, Thorsten Reinsch, Pieter Swanepoel, Ralf Loges, Christof Kluß, Friedhelm Taube. Environmental Impact of Rotationally Grazed Pastures at Different Management Intensities in South Africa. Animals. 2021; 11 (5):1214.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHendrik Smit; Thorsten Reinsch; Pieter Swanepoel; Ralf Loges; Christof Kluß; Friedhelm Taube. 2021. "Environmental Impact of Rotationally Grazed Pastures at Different Management Intensities in South Africa." Animals 11, no. 5: 1214.
Methane emissions from ruminants are a major contributor to agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, eight different forage species were combined in binary mixtures with Lolium perenne in increasing proportions, in vitro, to determine their methane reduction potential in ruminants. Species were sampled in two consecutive years where possible. The aims were: a) to determine if mixtures with specific forages, particularly those rich in plant specialized metabolites (PSM), can reduce methane emissions compared to ryegrass monocultures, b) to identify whether there is a linear-dose effect relationship in methane emissions from the legume or herb addition, and c) whether these effects are maintained across sampling years. Results showed that all dicot species studied, including the non-tannin-containing species, reduced methane production. The tannin-rich species, Sanguisorba minor and Lotus pedunculatus, showed the greatest methane reduction potential of up to 33%. Due to concomitant reductions in the forage digestibility, Cichorium intybus yielded the lowest methane emissions per digestible forage unit. Contrary to total gas production, methane production was less predictable, with a tendency for the lowest methane production being obtained with a 67.5% share of the legume or herb partner species. Thus, linear increments in the partner species share did not result in linear changes in methane concentration. The methane reduction potential differed across sampling years, but the species ranking in methane concentration was stable.
Cecilia Loza; Supriya Verma; Siegfried Wolffram; Andreas Susenbeth; Ralf Blank; Friedhelm Taube; Ralf Loges; Mario Hasler; Christof Kluß; Carsten Malisch. Assessing the Potential of Diverse Forage Mixtures to Reduce Enteric Methane Emissions In Vitro. Animals 2021, 11, 1126 .
AMA StyleCecilia Loza, Supriya Verma, Siegfried Wolffram, Andreas Susenbeth, Ralf Blank, Friedhelm Taube, Ralf Loges, Mario Hasler, Christof Kluß, Carsten Malisch. Assessing the Potential of Diverse Forage Mixtures to Reduce Enteric Methane Emissions In Vitro. Animals. 2021; 11 (4):1126.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCecilia Loza; Supriya Verma; Siegfried Wolffram; Andreas Susenbeth; Ralf Blank; Friedhelm Taube; Ralf Loges; Mario Hasler; Christof Kluß; Carsten Malisch. 2021. "Assessing the Potential of Diverse Forage Mixtures to Reduce Enteric Methane Emissions In Vitro." Animals 11, no. 4: 1126.
The effects of climate change on agricultural ecosystems are increasing, and droughts affect many regions. Drought has substantial ecological, social, and economic consequences for the sustainability of agricultural land. Many regions of the northern hemisphere have not experienced a high frequency of meteorological droughts in the past. For understanding the implications of climate change on grassland, analysis of the long-term climate data provides key information relevant for improved grassland management strategies. Using weather data and grassland production data from a long-term permanent grassland site, our aims were (i) to detect the most important drought periods that affected the region and (ii) to assess whether climate changes and variability significantly affected forage production in the last decade. For this purpose, long-term daily weather data (1961–2019) and the standardized precipitation index (SPI), De Martonne index (IDM), water deficit (WD), dryness index (DI), yield anomaly index (YAI), and annual yield loss index (YL) were used to provide a scientific estimation. The results show that, despite a positive trend in DI and a negative trend in WD and precipitation, the time-series trends of precipitation, WD, and DI indices for 1961–2019 were not significant. Extreme dry conditions were also identified with SPI values less than −2. The measured annual forage yield (2007–2018) harvested in a four-cut silage system (with and without organic N-fertilization) showed a strong correlation with WD (R = 0.64; p ˂ 0. 05). The main yield losses were indicated for the years 2008 and 2018. The results of this study could provide a perspective for drought monitoring, as well as drought warning, in grassland in northwest Europe.
Iraj Emadodin; Daniel Corral; Thorsten Reinsch; Christof Kluß; Friedhelm Taube. Climate Change Effects on Temperate Grassland and Its Implication for Forage Production: A Case Study from Northern Germany. Agriculture 2021, 11, 232 .
AMA StyleIraj Emadodin, Daniel Corral, Thorsten Reinsch, Christof Kluß, Friedhelm Taube. Climate Change Effects on Temperate Grassland and Its Implication for Forage Production: A Case Study from Northern Germany. Agriculture. 2021; 11 (3):232.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIraj Emadodin; Daniel Corral; Thorsten Reinsch; Christof Kluß; Friedhelm Taube. 2021. "Climate Change Effects on Temperate Grassland and Its Implication for Forage Production: A Case Study from Northern Germany." Agriculture 11, no. 3: 232.
In recent years, several secondary plant metabolites have been identified that possess antimethanogenic properties. Tannin-rich forages have the potential to reduce methane emissions in ruminants while also increasing their nutrient use efficiency and promoting overall animal health. However, results have been highly inconclusive to date, with their antimethanogenic potential and effects on both animal performance and nutrition being highly variable even within a plant species. This variability is attributed to the structural characteristics of the tannins, many of which have been linked to an increased antimethanogenic potential. However, these characteristics are seldom considered in ruminant nutrition studies—often because the analytical techniques are inadequate to identify tannin structure and the focus is mostly on total tannin concentrations. Hence, in this article, we (i) review previous research that illustrate the variability of the antimethanogenic potential of forages; (ii) identify the source of inconsistencies behind these results; and (iii) discuss how these could be optimized to generate comparable and repeatable results. By adhering to this roadmap, we propose that there are clear links between plant metabolome and physiology and their antimethanogenic potential that can be established with the ultimate goal of improving the sustainable intensification of livestock.
Supriya Verma; Friedhelm Taube; Carsten Malisch. Examining the Variables Leading to Apparent Incongruity between Antimethanogenic Potential of Tannins and Their Observed Effects in Ruminants—A Review. Sustainability 2021, 13, 2743 .
AMA StyleSupriya Verma, Friedhelm Taube, Carsten Malisch. Examining the Variables Leading to Apparent Incongruity between Antimethanogenic Potential of Tannins and Their Observed Effects in Ruminants—A Review. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (5):2743.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSupriya Verma; Friedhelm Taube; Carsten Malisch. 2021. "Examining the Variables Leading to Apparent Incongruity between Antimethanogenic Potential of Tannins and Their Observed Effects in Ruminants—A Review." Sustainability 13, no. 5: 2743.
Methane is a major constituent of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ruminants, and mitigation strategies are needed to alleviate this negative environmental impact while maintaining the environmental and other benefits of grazing systems. Forages containing plant-specialized metabolites (PSM), particularly condensed tannins, may help reduce enteric methane (CH4) emissions. However, information on in vivo CH4 emissions from cows grazing mixtures that contain bioactive herbs is scarce. Accordingly, this study compared a binary mixture of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and white clover (Trifolium repens) against a diverse mixture of six additional species, including tannin-rich species like birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) and salad burnet (Sanguisorba minor), in a full-grazing dairy system. Enteric CH4 emissions were measured using the SF6 tracer technique. Cows grazing diverse mixtures increased their energy-corrected milk (ECM) yield by 4% (p < 0.001) compared with binary mixtures. However, CH4 emissions per kg ECM were also 11% greater for the diverse mixtures (p < 0.05). The very high feed quality and milk yield from both mixtures explained the low CH4 emissions recorded relative to the milk output. The addition of forbs did not provide additional benefits at these intensities, as they were maintained in low yield shares throughout.
Cecilia Loza; Thorsten Reinsch; Ralf Loges; Friedhelm Taube; José Gere; Christof Kluß; Mario Hasler; Carsten Malisch. Methane Emission and Milk Production from Jersey Cows Grazing Perennial Ryegrass–White Clover and Multispecies Forage Mixtures. Agriculture 2021, 11, 175 .
AMA StyleCecilia Loza, Thorsten Reinsch, Ralf Loges, Friedhelm Taube, José Gere, Christof Kluß, Mario Hasler, Carsten Malisch. Methane Emission and Milk Production from Jersey Cows Grazing Perennial Ryegrass–White Clover and Multispecies Forage Mixtures. Agriculture. 2021; 11 (2):175.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCecilia Loza; Thorsten Reinsch; Ralf Loges; Friedhelm Taube; José Gere; Christof Kluß; Mario Hasler; Carsten Malisch. 2021. "Methane Emission and Milk Production from Jersey Cows Grazing Perennial Ryegrass–White Clover and Multispecies Forage Mixtures." Agriculture 11, no. 2: 175.
Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from pastures can vary significantly depending on soil and environmental conditions, nitrogen (N) input, as well as the plant’s ability to take up the N. We tested the hypothesis that legume-based N sources are characterized by significantly lower emission factors than mineral N based dairy systems. Therefore, this study monitored N2O emissions for a minimum of 100 days and up to two growing seasons across a gradient of plant species diversity. Emissions were measured from both, grazed pastures and a controlled application of urine and dung using the static chamber method. About 90% of the accumulated N2O emissions occurred during the first 60–75 days. The average accumulated N2O emissions were 0.11, 0.87, 0.99, and 0.21 kg ha−1 for control, dung, urine patches, and grazed pastures, respectively. The N uptake efficiency at the excreta patch scale was about 70% for both dung and urine. The highest N2O-N emission factor was less than half compared with the IPCC default (0.3 vs. 0.77), suggesting an overestimation of N2O-N emissions from organically managed pastures in temperate climates. Plant diversity showed no significant effect on the N2O emissions. However, functional groups were significant (p < 0.05). We concluded that legume-containing pasture systems without a fertilizer addition generally appear capable of utilizing nitrogen inputs from excreta patches efficiently, resulting in low N2O emissions.
John Nyameasem; Carsten Malisch; Ralf Loges; Friedhelm Taube; Christof Kluß; Iris Vogeler; Thorsten Reinsch. Nitrous Oxide Emission from Grazing Is Low across a Gradient of Plant Functional Diversity and Soil Conditions. Atmosphere 2021, 12, 223 .
AMA StyleJohn Nyameasem, Carsten Malisch, Ralf Loges, Friedhelm Taube, Christof Kluß, Iris Vogeler, Thorsten Reinsch. Nitrous Oxide Emission from Grazing Is Low across a Gradient of Plant Functional Diversity and Soil Conditions. Atmosphere. 2021; 12 (2):223.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJohn Nyameasem; Carsten Malisch; Ralf Loges; Friedhelm Taube; Christof Kluß; Iris Vogeler; Thorsten Reinsch. 2021. "Nitrous Oxide Emission from Grazing Is Low across a Gradient of Plant Functional Diversity and Soil Conditions." Atmosphere 12, no. 2: 223.
For arable stockless farming systems, the integration of catch crops (CC) during the fallow period might be a key for closing the nitrogen (N) cycle, reducing N leaching and increasing the transfer of N to the subsequent crop. However, despite considerable research efforts, the fate of N in such integrated systems remains unclear. To address this, a two-year field experiment was carried out in northern Germany with different CC, including frost-tolerant and frost-killed CC. The experiment started following a two-year ryegrass/red clover ley, which was subsequently sown with a cereal (CE) or a grain legume (field pea, PE). This provided two contrasting systems with high residual N in autumn. The results showed high N uptake of the CC, ranging from 84 to 136 kg N ha−1 with PE as the pre-crop, and from 33 to 110 kg N ha−1 with CE. All CC reduced N leaching compared with the control, a bare fallow over autumn/winter. Of the various CC, the frost-killed CC showed higher leaching compared with the other CCs, indicating mineralisation of the CC residue in the later autumn/winter period. The process based APSIM (Agricultural Production SIMulator) model was used to simulate N cycling for a cereal grain legume rotation, including a frost-killed and a frost resistant CC. While the model simulated the biomass and the N uptake by the crops, as well as the reduction of N leaching with the use of CC well, it under-estimated N leaching from the frost-killed CC. The study showed that all CC were affective at reducing N leaching, but winter hard catch crops should be preferred, as there is a risk of increased leaching following the mineralisation of residues from frost-killed CC.
Matthias Böldt; Friedhelm Taube; Iris Vogeler; Thorsten Reinsch; Christof Kluß; Ralf Loges. Evaluating Different Catch Crop Strategies for Closing the Nitrogen Cycle in Cropping Systems—Field Experiments and Modelling. Sustainability 2021, 13, 394 .
AMA StyleMatthias Böldt, Friedhelm Taube, Iris Vogeler, Thorsten Reinsch, Christof Kluß, Ralf Loges. Evaluating Different Catch Crop Strategies for Closing the Nitrogen Cycle in Cropping Systems—Field Experiments and Modelling. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (1):394.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMatthias Böldt; Friedhelm Taube; Iris Vogeler; Thorsten Reinsch; Christof Kluß; Ralf Loges. 2021. "Evaluating Different Catch Crop Strategies for Closing the Nitrogen Cycle in Cropping Systems—Field Experiments and Modelling." Sustainability 13, no. 1: 394.
Fertilized agricultural soils serve as a primary source of anthropogenic N2O emissions. In South Africa, there is a paucity of data on N2O emissions from fertilized, irrigated dairy-pasture systems and emission factors (EF) associated with the amount of N applied. A first study aiming to quantify direct N2O emissions and associated EFs of intensive pasture-based dairy systems in sub-Sahara Africa was conducted in South Africa. Field trials were conducted to evaluate fertilizer rates (0, 220, 440, 660, and 880 kg N ha−1 year−1) on N2O emissions from irrigated kikuyu–perennial ryegrass (Pennisetum clandestinum–Lolium perenne) pastures. The static chamber method was used to collect weekly N2O samples for one year. The highest daily N2O fluxes occurred in spring (0.99 kg ha−1 day−1) and summer (1.52 kg ha−1 day−1). Accumulated N2O emissions ranged between 2.45 and 15.5 kg N2O-N ha−1 year−1 and EFs for mineral fertilizers applied had an average of 0.9%. Nitrogen in yielded herbage varied between 582 and 900 kg N ha−1. There was no positive effect on growth of pasture herbage from adding N at high rates. The relationship between N balance and annual N2O emissions was exponential, which indicated that excessive fertilization of N will add directly to N2O emissions from the pastures. Results from this study could update South Africa’s greenhouse gas inventory more accurately to facilitate Tier 3 estimates.
Hendrik P.J. Smit; Thorsten Reinsch; Pieter A. Swanepoel; Christof Kluß; Friedhelm Taube. Grazing under Irrigation Affects N2O-Emissions Substantially in South Africa. Atmosphere 2020, 11, 925 .
AMA StyleHendrik P.J. Smit, Thorsten Reinsch, Pieter A. Swanepoel, Christof Kluß, Friedhelm Taube. Grazing under Irrigation Affects N2O-Emissions Substantially in South Africa. Atmosphere. 2020; 11 (9):925.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHendrik P.J. Smit; Thorsten Reinsch; Pieter A. Swanepoel; Christof Kluß; Friedhelm Taube. 2020. "Grazing under Irrigation Affects N2O-Emissions Substantially in South Africa." Atmosphere 11, no. 9: 925.
It is unclear whether the use of multi-species swards is a suitable measure for climate change adaptation by achieving high and stable dry matter (DM) production and good forage quality in grazing systems. The objective of the study is to evaluate whether a complex rather than a simple grass clover mixture enhances performance under nitrogen (N)-deficient conditions due to greater diversity in plant functional traits. During a four-year field experiment, a three-species and a seven-species grass clover mixture were compared under one cutting-for-conservation and two simulated grazing (defoliation every three or four weeks) treatments. The results revealed a similarity in the DM yields of both seed mixtures, indicating that in the given conditions the species in the simple mixture already offered crucial yield-determining functional traits. Different growth patterns, however, led to higher intra-annual yield stability in the complex mixture. In the cutting-for-conservation system, DM yields were higher, but this came at the expense of reduced metabolisable energy and crude protein contents and lower inter-annual yield stability. We conclude that higher seeding costs for multi-species mixtures are compensated by greater yield stability while offering the potential for additional eco-system services like enhanced carbon sequestration and diverse food for pollinators.
Heike Lorenz; Thorsten Reinsch; Christof Kluß; Friedhelm Taube; Ralf Loges. Does the Admixture of Forage Herbs Affect the Yield Performance, Yield Stability and Forage Quality of a Grass Clover Ley? Sustainability 2020, 12, 5842 .
AMA StyleHeike Lorenz, Thorsten Reinsch, Christof Kluß, Friedhelm Taube, Ralf Loges. Does the Admixture of Forage Herbs Affect the Yield Performance, Yield Stability and Forage Quality of a Grass Clover Ley? Sustainability. 2020; 12 (14):5842.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHeike Lorenz; Thorsten Reinsch; Christof Kluß; Friedhelm Taube; Ralf Loges. 2020. "Does the Admixture of Forage Herbs Affect the Yield Performance, Yield Stability and Forage Quality of a Grass Clover Ley?" Sustainability 12, no. 14: 5842.
Worldwide, sandy coastlines are affected by extensive wind and water erosion. Both soil quality and periodic drought present major problems for sand dune restoration projects. Hence, soil amendments are needed to improve soil quality and enhance soil restoration efficiency. The jellyfish population has increased in some aquatic ecosystems and is often considered as a nuisance because of their negative impacts on marine ecosystem productivity as well as coastal attractiveness. Thus, development of new products derived from jellyfish biomass has received attention from researchers although utilization is still at a preliminary stage. Herein, our main objective was to test seed germination, seedling establishment, and seedling vitality of annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) when supplied with organic soil amendment from two different jellyfish species (Aurelia aurita and Cyanea capillata) in comparison with an unfertilized control and mineral fertilizer treatment. We hypothesized that jellyfish dry matter as an organic soil amendment would improve seed germination and seedling establishment in sand dune environments. Germination and seedling growth experiments were conducted in the laboratory and greenhouse. The results indicate that jellyfish enhanced seedling growth and establishment in sand dune soil significantly (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01) under water scarcity conditions. Therefore, jellyfish may have potential for an auxiliary role in sand dune restoration projects in coastal areas in the future.
Iraj Emadodin; Thorsten Reinsch; Raffaele-Romeo Ockens; Friedhelm Taube. Assessing the Potential of Jellyfish as an Organic Soil Amendment to Enhance Seed Germination and Seedling Establishment in Sand Dune Restoration. Agronomy 2020, 10, 863 .
AMA StyleIraj Emadodin, Thorsten Reinsch, Raffaele-Romeo Ockens, Friedhelm Taube. Assessing the Potential of Jellyfish as an Organic Soil Amendment to Enhance Seed Germination and Seedling Establishment in Sand Dune Restoration. Agronomy. 2020; 10 (6):863.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIraj Emadodin; Thorsten Reinsch; Raffaele-Romeo Ockens; Friedhelm Taube. 2020. "Assessing the Potential of Jellyfish as an Organic Soil Amendment to Enhance Seed Germination and Seedling Establishment in Sand Dune Restoration." Agronomy 10, no. 6: 863.
Land-use extensification by shifting from conventional to organic arable farming is often discussed as a measure for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agricultural land. Doubts about the benefits arise when emissions are calculated per product unit, particularly where high yields are possible under conventional management. Among the non-CO2 GHG emissions, nitrous oxide (N2O) is the main contributor from arable land and is controlled by soil type, environmental conditions and management. In order to investigate how land-use change from conventional to organic farming would perform under highly productive site conditions in northwest Germany, and how this would affect the important greenhouse gases N2O and methane (CH4), an on-farm field research was conducted over two experimental years. Two site-specific organic crop rotations, (i) with 25% legumes (grass + clover - winter wheat – winter rye – oats) and (ii) with 40% legumes (grass + clover – winter wheat – winter rye – spring field peas – winter rye), were compared with (iii) a conventional arable rotation (winter oilseed rape – winter wheat – winter wheat – sugar beet – winter wheat) and two reference systems, (iv) extensive grassland and (v) a beech forest), which were chosen as the baseline. The results showed that organic farming had lower N2O emissions of 0.7 N2O–N ha−1 year−1 than the conventional rotation, with 2.1 kg N2O–N ha−1 year−1 (p < 0.05), but higher emissions than the extensive grassland (0.3 kg N2O ha−1 year−1) and beech forest (0.4 kg N2O ha−1 year−1). CH4 emissions were a negligible part of total GHG emissions (as CO2 equivalents) in the two arable systems, and considerable uptake of CH4 from the forest soils showed this was a GHG sink in the first experimental year. Organic systems produced up to 40% lower crop yields, but the emissions per product unit in rotation (iii) was not superior to (ii) during the two experimental years. Thus, arable organic farming showed the ability to produce agricultural commodities with low N2O emissions per unit area, and no differences in product-related emissions compared with conventional farming. Conventional and organic systems both showed potential for further mitigation of N2O emissions by controlling the field level nitrogen surplus to a minimum, and by the optimized timing of the removal of the grass–clover ley phase.
Lars Biernat; Friedhelm Taube; Ralf Loges; Christof Kluß; Thorsten Reinsch. Nitrous Oxide Emissions and Methane Uptake from Organic and Conventionally Managed Arable Crop Rotations on Farms in Northwest Germany. Sustainability 2020, 12, 3240 .
AMA StyleLars Biernat, Friedhelm Taube, Ralf Loges, Christof Kluß, Thorsten Reinsch. Nitrous Oxide Emissions and Methane Uptake from Organic and Conventionally Managed Arable Crop Rotations on Farms in Northwest Germany. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (8):3240.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLars Biernat; Friedhelm Taube; Ralf Loges; Christof Kluß; Thorsten Reinsch. 2020. "Nitrous Oxide Emissions and Methane Uptake from Organic and Conventionally Managed Arable Crop Rotations on Farms in Northwest Germany." Sustainability 12, no. 8: 3240.
Iran has different climatic and geographical zones (mountainous and desert areas), mostly arid and semi-arid, which are suffering from land degradation. Desertification as a land degradation process in Iran is created by natural and anthropogenic driving forces. Meteorological drought is a major natural driving force of desertification and occurs due to the extended periods of low precipitation. Scarcity of water, as well as the excessive use of water resources, mainly for agriculture, creates negative water balances and changes in plant cover, and accelerates desertification. Despite various political measures having been taken in the past, desertification is still a serious environmental problem in many regions in Iran. In this study, drought and aridity indices derived from long-term temperature and precipitation data were used in order to show long-term drought occurrence in different climatic zones in Iran. The results indicated the occurrence of severe and extremely severe meteorological droughts in recent decades in the areas studied. Moreover, the De Martonne Aridity Index (IDM) and precipitation variability index (PVI) showed an ongoing negative trend on the basis of long-term data and the conducted regression analysis. Rapid population growth, soil salinization, and poor water resource management are also considered as the main anthropogenic drivers. The percentage of the rural population in Iran is decreasing and the urban area is growing fast. Since the 1970s, the usage of groundwater in Iran has increased around fourfold and the average annual decrease in the groundwater table has been around 0.51 m. The results of the study provide a better ex-post and ex-ante understanding of the occurrence of droughts as key driving forces of the desertification in Iran. Additionally, they can enable policymakers to prepare proper regional-based strategic planning in the future. Desertification cannot be stopped or managed completely, but could be mitigated by the adoption of some proposed sustainable land management strategies.
Iraj Emadodin; Thorsten Reinsch; Friedhelm Taube. Drought and Desertification in Iran. Hydrology 2019, 6, 66 .
AMA StyleIraj Emadodin, Thorsten Reinsch, Friedhelm Taube. Drought and Desertification in Iran. Hydrology. 2019; 6 (3):66.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIraj Emadodin; Thorsten Reinsch; Friedhelm Taube. 2019. "Drought and Desertification in Iran." Hydrology 6, no. 3: 66.
Ruminant livestock in agriculture is one of the largest contributors to anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. One GHG mitigation strategy is to maintain or increase soil carbon stocks. However, the estimation of the impact of agricultural production systems on soil carbon stocks is often difficult due to lack of data regarding the above- and belowground allocation of the net primary production of plants. Hence, in a 7-year field experiment in northern Germany, the aboveground net primary productivity and carbon budget of three different forage production systems (a crop rotation (grass-clover, maize and winter wheat); continuous maize; and continuous grassland) were quantified, with belowground net primary productivity being determined in two production years. While the net primary production was similar across all systems and ranged between 12.2 and 13.3 t organic matter ha−1, the belowground fraction of the NPP was higher in grasslands with up to 35%, compared to 18 and 23% in continuous maize and the crop rotation. Accordingly after deduction of harvest removal also the carbon inputs as predicted by the soil carbon model were much higher in grassland and carbon stocks are projected to increase by +413 kg C ha−1 a−1 in fertilized grasslands, yet are projected to decrease by −183 kg C ha−1 a−1 in unfertilized continuous maize. However, the best option with respect to both carbon inputs and harvestable yields was the crop rotation, obtaining almost identical yields with the continuous maize with nearly balanced carbon stocks independent of the fertilization.
Ralf Loges; Inga Bunne; Thorsten Reinsch; Carsten Malisch; Christof Kluß; Antje Herrmann; Friedhelm Taube. Forage production in rotational systems generates similar yields compared to maize monocultures but improves soil carbon stocks. European Journal of Agronomy 2018, 97, 11 -19.
AMA StyleRalf Loges, Inga Bunne, Thorsten Reinsch, Carsten Malisch, Christof Kluß, Antje Herrmann, Friedhelm Taube. Forage production in rotational systems generates similar yields compared to maize monocultures but improves soil carbon stocks. European Journal of Agronomy. 2018; 97 ():11-19.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRalf Loges; Inga Bunne; Thorsten Reinsch; Carsten Malisch; Christof Kluß; Antje Herrmann; Friedhelm Taube. 2018. "Forage production in rotational systems generates similar yields compared to maize monocultures but improves soil carbon stocks." European Journal of Agronomy 97, no. : 11-19.
Anja Nüsse; Deborah Linsler; Ralf Loges; Thorsten Reinsch; Friedhelm Taube; Bernard Ludwig. Effect of grassland harvesting frequency and N-fertilization on stocks and dynamics of soil organic matter in the temperate climate. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science 2018, 64, 1925 -1931.
AMA StyleAnja Nüsse, Deborah Linsler, Ralf Loges, Thorsten Reinsch, Friedhelm Taube, Bernard Ludwig. Effect of grassland harvesting frequency and N-fertilization on stocks and dynamics of soil organic matter in the temperate climate. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science. 2018; 64 (14):1925-1931.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnja Nüsse; Deborah Linsler; Ralf Loges; Thorsten Reinsch; Friedhelm Taube; Bernard Ludwig. 2018. "Effect of grassland harvesting frequency and N-fertilization on stocks and dynamics of soil organic matter in the temperate climate." Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science 64, no. 14: 1925-1931.
Thorsten Reinsch; Ralf Loges; Christof Kluß; Friedhelm Taube. Renovation and conversion of permanent grass-clover swards to pasture or crops: Effects on annual N 2 O emissions in the year after ploughing. Soil and Tillage Research 2018, 175, 119 -129.
AMA StyleThorsten Reinsch, Ralf Loges, Christof Kluß, Friedhelm Taube. Renovation and conversion of permanent grass-clover swards to pasture or crops: Effects on annual N 2 O emissions in the year after ploughing. Soil and Tillage Research. 2018; 175 ():119-129.
Chicago/Turabian StyleThorsten Reinsch; Ralf Loges; Christof Kluß; Friedhelm Taube. 2018. "Renovation and conversion of permanent grass-clover swards to pasture or crops: Effects on annual N 2 O emissions in the year after ploughing." Soil and Tillage Research 175, no. : 119-129.
Summary Plant maturity substantially influences the yield and quality performance of grasses. Grass phenology is often not considered objectively to evaluate the new genotypes prior to registration. Measuring the mean stage by count (MSC) is time consuming, and simplified approaches are, therefore, required. Twenty diploid, intermediate heading Lolium perenne L. genotypes were evaluated in a 2-year field study in Northern Germany for yield and the content of Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), Acid Detergent Lignin (ADL), and digestible organic matter (DOM). Data from the first and second cut, each comprising three sampling dates, were included in this study. A simplified maturity index (SMI8), expressing the percentage of tillers at or beyond the boot stage, from MSC was derived. This index resulted in similar correlations with yield and quality parameters compared to MSC but is easier to use and less laborious. The SMI8 reduced the variations among genotypes, as for the first cut NDF and ADF content, where the genotype effect disappeared after considering SMI8 as the covariable. Moreover, the ranking of the genotypes was slightly modified for most studied traits, indicating that a large part of the variations in the studied parameters was caused by variations in maturity.
Heba Salama; Marc Loesche; Antje Herrmann; Friedhelm Taube; Martin Gierus. A simplified maturity index to quantify the development stage of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and its relationship with yield and nutritive value. Die Bodenkultur: Journal of Land Management, Food and Environment 2017, 68, 89 -101.
AMA StyleHeba Salama, Marc Loesche, Antje Herrmann, Friedhelm Taube, Martin Gierus. A simplified maturity index to quantify the development stage of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and its relationship with yield and nutritive value. Die Bodenkultur: Journal of Land Management, Food and Environment. 2017; 68 (2):89-101.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHeba Salama; Marc Loesche; Antje Herrmann; Friedhelm Taube; Martin Gierus. 2017. "A simplified maturity index to quantify the development stage of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and its relationship with yield and nutritive value." Die Bodenkultur: Journal of Land Management, Food and Environment 68, no. 2: 89-101.
Due to their high emission potential, the reporting of CO2 emissions from peatlands requires exact emission factors for different land use categories. Recently used emission factors are mainly based on CO2 flux measurements by chamber techniques or the micrometeorological eddy covariance (EC) method. However, evidence about the reliability and comparability of annual CO2 balances based on these methods is scarce. Therefore, manual chamber measurements of ecosystem respiration (RECO) and net ecosystem exchange (NEE) were conducted for two years (March 2012–April 2014) to model annual balances of two sites on fen soils with different land use intensity in northern Germany: an unutilized and rewetted grassland (UG) and an intensively utilized wet grassland (GW). Simultaneously, EC measurements of NEE were conducted on the sites. Two reasons for occasionally great deviations in NEE between the methods could be observed: (1) the accordance of both methods was most hampered during transition periods such as the beginning of the growing season and the onset of regrowth after a grassland defoliation due to different spatial scales of EC and chamber measurements and (2) RECO and gross primary production (GPP) partitioned from EC NEE measurements were systematically lower than those from the chamber-based model, which could be a result of the EC energy balance gap. Differences were more pronounced for the managed site GW as a result of more frequent regrowth periods. It is concluded that the EC and chamber method can show comparable results for the CO2 exchange of grasslands on fen soils when the limitations of both methods are known and considered for the reporting of emission factors. These limitations are due to energy balance closure and potentially biased footprints for EC and a restricted representativeness especially during early stages of plant development for the chamber method.
Arne Poyda; Thorsten Reinsch; R. Howard Skinner; Christof Kluß; Ralf Loges; Friedhelm Taube. Comparing chamber and eddy covariance based net ecosystem CO2exchange of fen soils. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science 2017, 180, 252 -266.
AMA StyleArne Poyda, Thorsten Reinsch, R. Howard Skinner, Christof Kluß, Ralf Loges, Friedhelm Taube. Comparing chamber and eddy covariance based net ecosystem CO2exchange of fen soils. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science. 2017; 180 (2):252-266.
Chicago/Turabian StyleArne Poyda; Thorsten Reinsch; R. Howard Skinner; Christof Kluß; Ralf Loges; Friedhelm Taube. 2017. "Comparing chamber and eddy covariance based net ecosystem CO2exchange of fen soils." Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science 180, no. 2: 252-266.
Regions in north-western Europe characterized by high density of livestock/biogas plants and extensive silage maize production are facing major environmental challenges due to excessive residual soil mineral nitrogen (N) in autumn and hence nitrate leaching. Winter catch crops (CC) have potential to accumulate residual N; however, the N uptake potential after maize harvest in autumn and spring remains unclear. Therefore, a two-year field trial (April 2012–April 2014) was conducted at three sites, to quantify the combined effects of four consecutive CC sowing dates (10 Sep; 20 Sep; 30 Sep and 15 Oct) and two CC species (rye, Secale cereale. L. and Italian ryegrass, Lolium multiflorum Lam.) on DM accumulation and N uptake of CC above- and belowground in autumn and spring, and to derive functional relationships. The results clearly showed that rye was more effective in accumulating biomass and nitrogen than Italian ryegrass. The better performance of rye was related to increased growth intensity of roots and shoot, a different allocation pattern and higher N uptake efficiency. An exponential function of temperature sum (Tsum) produced a reliable prediction of above- and belowground biomass and N. To achieve an agronomically relevant N uptake of 20 kg N ha−1, rye required 278 °Cd Tsum, which corresponds to a sowing date latest in the second decade of September. Under favourable growing conditions, a biomass accumulation of up to 5 Mg DM ha−1, corresponding to 83 kg N ha−1 above- and belowground, seems achievable under the given environmental conditions. In continuous maize grown under the environmental conditions of Northern Germany, however, catch crops will not reach a relevant N uptake on the long-term average.
Martin Komainda; Friedhelm Taube; Christof Kluß; Antje Herrmann. Above- and belowground nitrogen uptake of winter catch crops sown after silage maize as affected by sowing date. European Journal of Agronomy 2016, 79, 31 -42.
AMA StyleMartin Komainda, Friedhelm Taube, Christof Kluß, Antje Herrmann. Above- and belowground nitrogen uptake of winter catch crops sown after silage maize as affected by sowing date. European Journal of Agronomy. 2016; 79 ():31-42.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMartin Komainda; Friedhelm Taube; Christof Kluß; Antje Herrmann. 2016. "Above- and belowground nitrogen uptake of winter catch crops sown after silage maize as affected by sowing date." European Journal of Agronomy 79, no. : 31-42.
SummaryTwoin vitromethods were tested to establish their potential to predict the metabolizable energy (ME) content of forage legumes: the Tilley and Terry (TT) method and the pepsin-cellulase method (CM). Different samples of white clover (Trifolium repensL.), red clover (Trifolium pratenseL.), kura clover (Trifolium ambiguumM. Bieb.), lucerne (Medicago sativaL.), and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatusL.) were derived from field trials with several defoliation systems at two sites. The CM was more precise due to its repeatability within and between analysis runs, but eventually overestimated the ME contents of the samples, as it was shown for the standard samples with knownin vivodigestibility. ME contents were found to be consistently higher based on CM, with a difference of up to 1.5 MJ ME/kg DM compared to TT. Although white clover was, in general, the species with the highest ME content, the influence of legume species over all cuts and defoliation systems was inconsistent. Such observations may influence the method of choice for ME estimation for large datasets.
Martin Gierus; Birgit Eickler; Reinhard Resch; Ralf Loges; Friedhelm Taube; Erich M. Poetsch. Using in vitro methods to estimate metabolizable energy content of five forage legumes harvested under different defoliation systems / Einsatz von in vitro Methoden zur Schätzung der umsetzbaren Energie in fünf Futterleguminosen aus unterschiedlichen Nutzungssystemen. Die Bodenkultur: Journal of Land Management, Food and Environment 2016, 67, 121 -131.
AMA StyleMartin Gierus, Birgit Eickler, Reinhard Resch, Ralf Loges, Friedhelm Taube, Erich M. Poetsch. Using in vitro methods to estimate metabolizable energy content of five forage legumes harvested under different defoliation systems / Einsatz von in vitro Methoden zur Schätzung der umsetzbaren Energie in fünf Futterleguminosen aus unterschiedlichen Nutzungssystemen. Die Bodenkultur: Journal of Land Management, Food and Environment. 2016; 67 (3):121-131.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMartin Gierus; Birgit Eickler; Reinhard Resch; Ralf Loges; Friedhelm Taube; Erich M. Poetsch. 2016. "Using in vitro methods to estimate metabolizable energy content of five forage legumes harvested under different defoliation systems / Einsatz von in vitro Methoden zur Schätzung der umsetzbaren Energie in fünf Futterleguminosen aus unterschiedlichen Nutzungssystemen." Die Bodenkultur: Journal of Land Management, Food and Environment 67, no. 3: 121-131.
Summary The objective of this study was to quantify the proteolytic activity of a set of 10 diploid early intermediate heading cultivars of Lolium perenne under rumenlike conditions. A field experiment was conducted in Northern Germany, where the perennial ryegrass cultivars were grown during two growing seasons. Leaves of the first and second cut were sampled in the field, sterilized with 800 ml. l−1 ethanol solution and incubated for 0, 6, and 24 h under rumenlike conditions (darkness, 39°C, pH 6.5) without the presence of rumen microbes. Results revealed that the leaf protein content declined with increasing incubation time, confirming the involvement of plant-mediated proteolysis in the degradation process. Gel electrophoresis illustrated that the decrease in protein content is probably mainly caused by the loss of the large subunit of Rubisco (ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase), which was entirely degraded during the incubation time. Although differences among harvests and years were evident, genetic variation among the 10 diploid perennial grass samples concerning protein degradation rates and degradation characteristics was not detected.
Martin Gierus; Marc Loesche; Heba Salama; Antje Herrmann; Friedhelm Taube. Protein degradation rate as affected by plant proteases among fresh samples of perennial ryegrass cultivars (Lolium perenne L.) / Einfluss pflanzlicher Proteasen auf den Proteinabbau bei unterschiedlichen Englischen Raigrass Sorten (Lolium perenne L.). Die Bodenkultur: Journal of Land Management, Food and Environment 2016, 67, 61 -68.
AMA StyleMartin Gierus, Marc Loesche, Heba Salama, Antje Herrmann, Friedhelm Taube. Protein degradation rate as affected by plant proteases among fresh samples of perennial ryegrass cultivars (Lolium perenne L.) / Einfluss pflanzlicher Proteasen auf den Proteinabbau bei unterschiedlichen Englischen Raigrass Sorten (Lolium perenne L.). Die Bodenkultur: Journal of Land Management, Food and Environment. 2016; 67 (2):61-68.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMartin Gierus; Marc Loesche; Heba Salama; Antje Herrmann; Friedhelm Taube. 2016. "Protein degradation rate as affected by plant proteases among fresh samples of perennial ryegrass cultivars (Lolium perenne L.) / Einfluss pflanzlicher Proteasen auf den Proteinabbau bei unterschiedlichen Englischen Raigrass Sorten (Lolium perenne L.)." Die Bodenkultur: Journal of Land Management, Food and Environment 67, no. 2: 61-68.