Koci, Jack, Nelson, Paul N., and Rowlings, David (2014) Tropical dairy pasture yield and nitrogen cycling: effects of fertiliser rate and a nitrification inhibitor. In: Abstracts from the National Soil Science Conference. From: National Soil Science Conference, 23-27 November 2014, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

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Abstract

In the dairy industry of north Queensland, an intensive and N-loaded production system, little is known about losses of N to the environment, and management practices that may reduce those losses. Such research is vital, given the proximity to environmentally sensitive areas such as the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, and increasing economic constraints on dairy production. This study sought to determine the effect on pasture yield and N losses, of N fertiliser application rate and a nitrification inhibitor, 3, 4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP). The experiment was a factorial design with two fertiliser rates (industry standard, 57 kg N/ha as urea per application versus half that), two DMPP rates (with and without) and 4 replicates, carried out on a dairy farm on the Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, over one year. Applying urea at half the industry standard rate, together with DMPP, provided similar pasture yields and much lower losses of N to the environment than applying urea alone at the standard rate. While it was not possible to accurately allocate losses to particular mechanisms, most appeared to be lost in deep drainage, with losses as runoff and N2O small. Mean losses in deep drainage were lowered by reducing N rate and by application of DMPP. The findings indicate good potential for farmers to use DMPP-treated urea as a means of reducing fertiliser rates and losses to the environment without loss of productivity.

Item ID:	34392
Item Type:	Conference Item (Abstract / Summary)
Related URLs:	Organisation
Date Deposited:	06 Aug 2014 05:31
FoR Codes:	07 AGRICULTURAL AND VETERINARY SCIENCES > 0701 Agriculture, Land and Farm Management > 070101 Agricultural Land Management @ 10% 07 AGRICULTURAL AND VETERINARY SCIENCES > 0703 Crop and Pasture Production > 070306 Crop and Pasture Nutrition @ 40% 07 AGRICULTURAL AND VETERINARY SCIENCES > 0799 Other Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences > 079902 Fertilisers and Agrochemicals (incl Application) @ 50%
SEO Codes:	82 PLANT PRODUCTION AND PLANT PRIMARY PRODUCTS > 8298 Environmentally Sustainable Plant Production > 829802 Management of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Plant Production @ 30% 83 ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND ANIMAL PRIMARY PRODUCTS > 8304 Pasture, Browse and Fodder Crops > 830406 Sown Pastures (excl. Lucerne) @ 30% 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9609 Land and Water Management > 960904 Farmland, Arable Cropland and Permanent Cropland Land Management @ 40%
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