Manure applications elevate nitrogen accumulation and loss
Monday, January 4, 2016 - 16:11
in Earth & Climate
Nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient for plant growth, and nitrogen fertilization - including the application of manures - is a major management strategy in agriculture across the globe. However, the overuse and misuse of manures has resulted in the accumulation of surplus N in soil and its eventual migration to soil layers and groundwater. The authors of a new study found that the environmental risks of manure applications in high-input greenhouse environments may outweigh the benefits, and recommend that the role of manures be reexamined.