Enhancing Biological Nitrogen Fixation Through Diverse Pasture Swards
These videos have been matched automatically. Contact us if they are not relevant.
These videos have been matched automatically. Contact us if they are not relevant.
View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Diverse pastures enhance biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and yield compared to standard pastures. Strategic management can boost seasonal BNF, supporting sustainable agriculture and reducing synthetic nitrogen needs.
Area Of Science
- Agricultural Science
- Agronomy
- Soil Science
Background
- Regenerative agriculture utilizes diverse pasture species for sustainable production.
- Incorporating legumes into pastures can increase biological N fixation (BNF), reducing synthetic N fertilizer reliance.
Purpose Of The Study
- Quantify BNF in diverse vs. standard pastures.
- Assess legume performance for improved N supply and pasture quality.
- Evaluate year-round seasonal BNF through various indicators.
Main Methods
- Field study comparing diverse (9 species) and standard (ryegrass/clover) pastures.
- Assessed soil N status, nodulation, plant composition, and 15N natural abundance.
- Evaluated dry matter production and nitrogen yield.
Main Results
- Diverse pastures yielded 5.4% more dry matter and 9.3% higher N yield than standard pastures.
- Soil mineral N levels were similar between pasture types.
- BNF increased 3-fold in diverse pastures from winter to summer, compared to 1.5-fold in standard pastures.
- Optimal BNF occurred at moderate clover proportions (up to 30%) in both systems.
Conclusions
- Diverse pastures can enhance seasonal BNF and overall productivity.
- Strategic management is key to maximizing BNF benefits in diverse swards.
- These findings support the use of diverse pastures for sustainable N management in agriculture.
These videos have been matched automatically. Contact us if they are not relevant.
These videos have been matched automatically. Contact us if they are not relevant.
Related Concept Videos
Nitrogen is an essential element in biological systems, forming a crucial component of proteins, nucleic acids, and other cellular constituents. Many bacteria and archaea acquire nitrogen in the form of nitrate (NO₃⁻) or ammonia (NH₃), which are then assimilated into biomolecules through specific enzymatic pathways.Assimilatory Nitrate ReductionWhen nitrate enters the cell, it undergoes a two-step reduction process known as assimilatory nitrate reduction. Initially, the enzyme...
Nitrogen is a very important element for life because it is a major constituent of proteins and nucleic acids. It is a macronutrient, and in nature, it is recycled from organic compounds and stored in the form of ammonia, ammonium ions, nitrate, nitrite, or nitrogen gas by many metabolic processes. Many of these metabolic processes are carried out only by prokaryotes.
The largest pool of nitrogen available in the terrestrial ecosystem is gaseous nitrogen (N2) from the air, but this...
Plants have the impressive ability to create their own food through photosynthesis. However, plants often require assistance from organisms in the soil to acquire the nutrients they need to function correctly. Both bacteria and fungi have evolved symbiotic relationships with plants that help the species to thrive in a wide variety of environments.
The collective bacteria residing in and around plant roots are termed the rhizosphere. These soil-dwelling bacterial species are incredibly diverse....
Like all living organisms, plants require organic and inorganic nutrients to survive, reproduce, grow and maintain homeostasis. To identify nutrients that are essential for plant functioning, researchers have leveraged a technique called hydroponics. In hydroponic culture systems, plants are grown—without soil—in water-based solutions containing nutrients. At least 17 nutrients have been identified as essential elements required by plants. Plants acquire these elements from the...
Crop cultivation has a long history in human civilization, with records showing the cultivation of cereal plants beginning at around 8000 BC. This early plant breeding was developed primarily to provide a steady supply of food.
As humans' understanding of genetics advanced, improved crop varieties could be achieved more quickly. Artificial selection could be more directed, and crop varieties enhanced for favorable traits more quickly to produce better, more robust, or more palatable...
Nitrogen atoms, present in all proteins and DNA, are recycled between abiotic and biotic components of the ecosystem. However, the primary form of nitrogen on Earth is nitrogen gas, which cannot be used by most animals and plants. Thus, nitrogen gas must first be converted into a usable form by nitrogen-fixing bacteria before it can be cycled through other living organisms. The use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers and animal waste products in human agriculture has greatly influenced the...