Scenario analysis using the Daisy model to assess and mitigate nitrate leaching from complex agro-environmental settings in Denmark

Muhammad Adil Rashid; Sander Bruun; Merete Elisabeth Styczen; Jens Erik Ørum; Signe Kynding Borgen; Ingrid Kaag Thomsen; Lars Stoumann Jensen

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151518

Scenario analysis using the Daisy model to assess and mitigate nitrate leaching from complex agro-environmental settings in Denmark

Muhammad Adil Rashid, Sander Bruun, Merete Elisabeth Styczen, Jens Erik Ørum, Signe Kynding Borgen, Ingrid Kaag Thomsen, Lars Stoumann Jensen

Department of Agroecology - Soil Fertility

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaper › Journal article › Research › peer-review

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Abstract

Nitrate (N) leaching from intensively managed cropping systems is of environmental concern and it varies at local scale. To evaluate the performance of agricultural practices at this scale, there is a need to develop comprehensive assessments of N leaching and the N leaching reduction potential of mitigation measures. A model-based analysis was performed to (i) estimate N leaching from Danish cropping systems, representing 20 crop rotations, 3 soil types, 2 climates and 3–4 levels of manure (slurry)-to-fertilizer ratios, but with same available N (according to regulatory N fertilization norms), and (ii) appraise mitigation potential of on-farm measures (i.e. catch crops, early sowing of winter cereals) to reduce N leaching. The analysis was performed using a process-based agro-environmental model (Daisy). Simulated average N leaching over 24 years ranged from 16 to 85 kg N/ha/y for different crop rotations. Rotations with a higher proportion of spring crops were more prone to leaching than rotations having a higher proportion of winter cereals and semi-perennial grass-clover leys. N leaching decreased with increasing soil clay content under all conditions. The effect of two climates (different regions, mainly differing in precipitation) on N leaching was generally similar, with slight variation across rotations. Supplying a part of the available N as manure-N resulted in similar N leaching as mineral fertilizer N alone during the simulation period. Among the mitigation measures, both undersown and autumn sown catch crops were effective. Effectiveness of measures also depended on their place and frequency of occurrence in a rotation. Adopting catch crops during the most leaching-prone years and with higher frequency were effective choices. This analysis provided essential data-driven knowledge on N leaching risk, and potential of leaching reduction options. These results can serve as a supplementary guiding-tool for farmers to plan management practices, and for legislators to design farm-specific regulatory measures.

Original language	English
Article number	151518
Journal	Science of the Total Environment
Volume	816
ISSN	0048-9697
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151518
Publication status	Published - 10 Apr 2022

Keywords

Catch crops
Crop modelling
Crop rotation
Environmental impact
Environmental modelling
Mitigation measures

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10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151518Licence: CC BY

1-s2.0-S0048969721065967-mainFinal published version, 717 KBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

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title = "Scenario analysis using the Daisy model to assess and mitigate nitrate leaching from complex agro-environmental settings in Denmark",

abstract = "Nitrate (N) leaching from intensively managed cropping systems is of environmental concern and it varies at local scale. To evaluate the performance of agricultural practices at this scale, there is a need to develop comprehensive assessments of N leaching and the N leaching reduction potential of mitigation measures. A model-based analysis was performed to (i) estimate N leaching from Danish cropping systems, representing 20 crop rotations, 3 soil types, 2 climates and 3–4 levels of manure (slurry)-to-fertilizer ratios, but with same available N (according to regulatory N fertilization norms), and (ii) appraise mitigation potential of on-farm measures (i.e. catch crops, early sowing of winter cereals) to reduce N leaching. The analysis was performed using a process-based agro-environmental model (Daisy). Simulated average N leaching over 24 years ranged from 16 to 85 kg N/ha/y for different crop rotations. Rotations with a higher proportion of spring crops were more prone to leaching than rotations having a higher proportion of winter cereals and semi-perennial grass-clover leys. N leaching decreased with increasing soil clay content under all conditions. The effect of two climates (different regions, mainly differing in precipitation) on N leaching was generally similar, with slight variation across rotations. Supplying a part of the available N as manure-N resulted in similar N leaching as mineral fertilizer N alone during the simulation period. Among the mitigation measures, both undersown and autumn sown catch crops were effective. Effectiveness of measures also depended on their place and frequency of occurrence in a rotation. Adopting catch crops during the most leaching-prone years and with higher frequency were effective choices. This analysis provided essential data-driven knowledge on N leaching risk, and potential of leaching reduction options. These results can serve as a supplementary guiding-tool for farmers to plan management practices, and for legislators to design farm-specific regulatory measures.",

keywords = "Catch crops, Crop modelling, Crop rotation, Environmental impact, Environmental modelling, Mitigation measures",

author = "Rashid, {Muhammad Adil} and Sander Bruun and Styczen, {Merete Elisabeth} and {\O}rum, {Jens Erik} and Borgen, {Signe Kynding} and Thomsen, {Ingrid Kaag} and Jensen, {Lars Stoumann}",

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doi = "10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151518",

language = "English",

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journal = "Science of the Total Environment",

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Scenario analysis using the Daisy model to assess and mitigate nitrate leaching from complex agro-environmental settings in Denmark. / Rashid, Muhammad Adil; Bruun, Sander; Styczen, Merete Elisabeth et al.
In: Science of the Total Environment, Vol. 816, 151518, 10.04.2022.

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaper › Journal article › Research › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Scenario analysis using the Daisy model to assess and mitigate nitrate leaching from complex agro-environmental settings in Denmark

AU - Rashid, Muhammad Adil

AU - Bruun, Sander

AU - Styczen, Merete Elisabeth

AU - Ørum, Jens Erik

AU - Borgen, Signe Kynding

AU - Thomsen, Ingrid Kaag

AU - Jensen, Lars Stoumann

PY - 2022/4/10

Y1 - 2022/4/10

N2 - Nitrate (N) leaching from intensively managed cropping systems is of environmental concern and it varies at local scale. To evaluate the performance of agricultural practices at this scale, there is a need to develop comprehensive assessments of N leaching and the N leaching reduction potential of mitigation measures. A model-based analysis was performed to (i) estimate N leaching from Danish cropping systems, representing 20 crop rotations, 3 soil types, 2 climates and 3–4 levels of manure (slurry)-to-fertilizer ratios, but with same available N (according to regulatory N fertilization norms), and (ii) appraise mitigation potential of on-farm measures (i.e. catch crops, early sowing of winter cereals) to reduce N leaching. The analysis was performed using a process-based agro-environmental model (Daisy). Simulated average N leaching over 24 years ranged from 16 to 85 kg N/ha/y for different crop rotations. Rotations with a higher proportion of spring crops were more prone to leaching than rotations having a higher proportion of winter cereals and semi-perennial grass-clover leys. N leaching decreased with increasing soil clay content under all conditions. The effect of two climates (different regions, mainly differing in precipitation) on N leaching was generally similar, with slight variation across rotations. Supplying a part of the available N as manure-N resulted in similar N leaching as mineral fertilizer N alone during the simulation period. Among the mitigation measures, both undersown and autumn sown catch crops were effective. Effectiveness of measures also depended on their place and frequency of occurrence in a rotation. Adopting catch crops during the most leaching-prone years and with higher frequency were effective choices. This analysis provided essential data-driven knowledge on N leaching risk, and potential of leaching reduction options. These results can serve as a supplementary guiding-tool for farmers to plan management practices, and for legislators to design farm-specific regulatory measures.

AB - Nitrate (N) leaching from intensively managed cropping systems is of environmental concern and it varies at local scale. To evaluate the performance of agricultural practices at this scale, there is a need to develop comprehensive assessments of N leaching and the N leaching reduction potential of mitigation measures. A model-based analysis was performed to (i) estimate N leaching from Danish cropping systems, representing 20 crop rotations, 3 soil types, 2 climates and 3–4 levels of manure (slurry)-to-fertilizer ratios, but with same available N (according to regulatory N fertilization norms), and (ii) appraise mitigation potential of on-farm measures (i.e. catch crops, early sowing of winter cereals) to reduce N leaching. The analysis was performed using a process-based agro-environmental model (Daisy). Simulated average N leaching over 24 years ranged from 16 to 85 kg N/ha/y for different crop rotations. Rotations with a higher proportion of spring crops were more prone to leaching than rotations having a higher proportion of winter cereals and semi-perennial grass-clover leys. N leaching decreased with increasing soil clay content under all conditions. The effect of two climates (different regions, mainly differing in precipitation) on N leaching was generally similar, with slight variation across rotations. Supplying a part of the available N as manure-N resulted in similar N leaching as mineral fertilizer N alone during the simulation period. Among the mitigation measures, both undersown and autumn sown catch crops were effective. Effectiveness of measures also depended on their place and frequency of occurrence in a rotation. Adopting catch crops during the most leaching-prone years and with higher frequency were effective choices. This analysis provided essential data-driven knowledge on N leaching risk, and potential of leaching reduction options. These results can serve as a supplementary guiding-tool for farmers to plan management practices, and for legislators to design farm-specific regulatory measures.

KW - Catch crops

KW - Crop modelling

KW - Crop rotation

KW - Environmental impact

KW - Environmental modelling

KW - Mitigation measures

U2 - 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151518

DO - 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151518

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 34762963

SN - 0048-9697

VL - 816

JO - Science of the Total Environment

JF - Science of the Total Environment

M1 - 151518

ER -