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Lin, H.-C.* ; Huber, J.A.* ; Gerl, G. ; Huelsbergen, K.*

Nitrogen balances and nitrogen-use efficiency of different organic and conventional farming systems.

Nutr. Cycl. Agroecosyst. 105, 1-23 (2016)
DOI
Open Access Green as soon as Postprint is submitted to ZB.
Nitrogen (N) is the most important yield-limiting factor in agricultural systems, however, N application can lead to emissions and environmental problems such as global warming (N2O) and groundwater contamination (NO3 (-)). This study analyses the N balance, nitrogen-use efficiency, and N loss potential of conventional farming systems (arable farming, improved arable farming, and agroforestry) and organic farming systems (mixed farming, arable farming, and agroforestry) based on long-term field experiments in southern Germany. The effects of the conversion of farm structure and N management are identified. The conventional farming systems in this study were high N-input and high N-output systems. The conventional arable farming system had the lowest nitrogen-use efficiency and the highest N surplus. An optimised N management and the use of high-yielding crop varieties improved its nitrogen-use efficiency. The establishment of conventional agroforestry resulted in the reduction of N input, N output and N surplus, while maintaining high yields. The organic mixed farming system is characterised by a relatively high N input and N output, the accumulation of soil organic nitrogen, the highest nitrogen-use efficiency, and the lowest N surplus of all analysed systems. These good results can be attributed to the intensive farm N cycle between soil-plant-animal. The shift from organic mixed farming to organic arable farming system extensified the N cycle, reduced N input, crop yield and N output. The change from organic arable farming to organic agroforestry reduced the N input, increased the biomass yield, and remained the N surplus within an optimal range.
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Publication type Article: Journal article
Document type Scientific Article
Keywords Nitrogen Balance ; Nitrogen-use Efficiency ; Organic Farming ; Conventional Farming ; Agroforestry; Robinia-pseudoacacia L; North China Plain; Biomass Production; Cropping Systems; Central Korea; N-2 Fixation; Nutrient Use; Agroforestry; Alder; Land
ISSN (print) / ISBN 1385-1314
e-ISSN 1573-0867
Journal Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems
Quellenangaben Volume: 105, Issue: 1, Pages: 1-23 Article Number: , Supplement: ,
Publisher Springer
Publishing Place Dordrecht
Reviewing status Peer reviewed
Institute(s) Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology (BIOP)