Articles | Volume 13, issue 17
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-13-4975-2016
© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-13-4975-2016
© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Long-term nutrient fertilization and the carbon balance of permanent grassland: any evidence for sustainable intensification?
Dario A. Fornara
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute (AFBI), Newforge Lane, Belfast, BT9 5PX, UK
Elizabeth-Anne Wasson
Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute (AFBI), Newforge Lane, Belfast, BT9 5PX, UK
Peter Christie
Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing
210008, China
Catherine J. Watson
Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute (AFBI), Newforge Lane, Belfast, BT9 5PX, UK
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Cited
47 citations as recorded by crossref.
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- The role of mycorrhiza in food security and the challenge of climate change I. Ortas https://doi.org/10.52804/ijaas2022.311
- Long-term effects of slurry and fertilizer applications on soil extractable potassium and the soil potassium balance for a temperate grassland J. Holland et al. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021859626100550
- No saturation of soil carbon under long-term extreme manure additions H. Heinemann et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-024-07146-z
- Composition and carbon utilization of soil microbial communities subjected to long-term nitrogen fertilization in a temperate grassland in northern China Y. Li et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2017.11.009
- Enhancing soil carbon in solar farms through active land management: a systematic review of the available evidence F. Carvalho et al. https://doi.org/10.1088/2752-664X/ad8ce4
- Evidence of low response of soil carbon stocks to grassland intensification D. Fornara et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2019.106705
- Manure application in managed grasslands can contribute to soil organic carbon sequestration: evidence from field experiments across Japan S. Matsuura et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-021-01795-x
- Global warming potential of a Mediterranean irrigated forage system: Implications for designing the fertilization strategy A. Pulina et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2018.05.002
- Transforming soil phosphorus fertility management strategies to support the delivery of multiple ecosystem services from agricultural systems K. Macintosh et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.08.272
- The impact of environmental policy on soil quality: Organic carbon and phosphorus levels in croplands and grasslands of the European Natura 2000 network A. Hagyó & G. Tóth https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.06.003
- Why does mineral fertilization increase soil carbon stocks in temperate grasslands? C. Poeplau et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2018.06.003
- How does grassland management affect physical and biochemical properties of temperate grassland soils? A review study S. Mayel et al. https://doi.org/10.1111/gfs.12512
- Estimating the impacts of organic manures on grass yield, soil carbon storage and N2O emissions using the DNDC model and the impact of future climate change scenarios X. Meng et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2026.110729
- Effects of Management and Climatic Variability on Indicator Species and Biomass Production in Carpathian Mountain Grasslands I. Ghețe et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15020269
- Long‐term belowground effects of grassland management: the key role of liming J. Heyburn et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.1585
- Effect of Grasslands Fertilisation on Soil Organic Matter Quality and Nutrients Status J. Plisková et al. https://doi.org/10.2478/agri-2023-0011
- Simulation and validation of long-term changes in soil organic carbon under permanent grassland using the DNDC model M. Khalil et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2019.114014
- Ruminant livestock farmers and industry are leading innovation to deliver human nutrition and improved environmental outcomes through sector lifecycle collaboration: a review of case studies E. Maree et al. https://doi.org/10.1093/af/vfae050
- Assessment of nitrous oxide emission factors for arable and grassland ecosystems M. O’Neill et al. https://doi.org/10.1080/1943815X.2020.1825227
- Responses of carbon cycling and soil organic carbon content to nitrogen addition in grasslands globally H. Liu et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2023.109164
- Improving estimates of soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and their long-term temporal changes in agricultural soils in Ireland M. Khalil & B. Osborne https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2018.02.038
- Influence of slurry acidification with H2SO4 on soil pH, N, P, S, and C dynamics: Incubation experiment Y. Zireeni et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envadv.2023.100447
- Grassland contribution to soil organic carbon stock under climate change scenarios in Basque Country (Spain) Á. Doblas-Rodrigo et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-022-01877-4
- Bioaccumulation and potential ecotoxicological effects of trace metals along a management intensity gradient in volcanic pasturelands C. Parelho et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128601
- Hydrochar as a One Health solution to mitigate antibiotic resistance genes from slurry in grassland soils I. Ikoyi et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1800404
- Guiding phosphorus stewardship for multiple ecosystem services G. Macdonald et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/ehs2.1251
- Use of CLEANED to Assess the Productive, Environmental, and Economic Impact of Dairy Farms in the Peruvian Amazon L. Oré et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14223224
- Grassland soil organic carbon stocks along management intensity and warming gradients C. Poeplau https://doi.org/10.1111/gfs.12537
- Greenhouse-gas budgets for irrigated dairy pasture and a winter-forage kale crop J. Laubach & J. Hunt https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2017.04.013
- Sustainable intensification to coordinate agricultural efficiency and environmental protection: a systematic review based on metrological visualization X. Lyu et al. https://doi.org/10.1080/1747423X.2021.1922524
- Improving phosphorus sustainability in intensively managed grasslands: The potential role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi D. Fornara et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135744
- The effects of irrigation on carbon balance in an irrigated grazed pasture system in New Zealand D. Giltrap et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2020.102851
- Effects of grassland management on plant C:N:P stoichiometry: implications for soil element cycling and storage J. Heyburn et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.1963
- Effects of nutrient fertilization and soil tillage on soil CO2 emissions in a long-term grassland experiment J. Holland et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2024.106232
- Long-term nitrogen and phosphorus amendments reshape arbuscular mycorrhizal regulation of hyphosphere microbial communities and functions in grassland soils D. LI et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedsph.2026.05.014
- Integrating large mammalian herbivores into Dynamic Global Vegetation Models: Status and next steps Y. Cheng et al. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.70409
- Soil legacy effects of climatic stress, management and plant functional composition on microbial communities influence the response of Lolium perenne to a new drought event N. Legay et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-017-3403-x
- No-till permanent meadow promotes soil carbon sequestration and nitrogen use efficiency at the expense of productivity F. Castelli et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-017-0462-6
- Mitigation strategy synergies in Irish dairy production: a 6-year empirical life cycle assessment L. Vergara et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2026.1768097
- Restoring nutrient circularity in a nutrient-saturated area in Germany requires systemic change B. van der Wiel et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-021-10172-3
- Long-term biomass removal in grasslands reduces plant and soil phosphorus, increases carbon:phosphorus stoichiometry, but does not lead to microbial phosphorus limitation A. Simpson et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2025.110017
- Carbon dioxide fluxes and carbon balance of an agricultural grassland in southern Finland L. Heimsch et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-3467-2021
- Effects of nutrient fertilization on root decomposition and carbon accumulation in intensively managed grassland soils D. Fornara et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3103
- An unconventional approach to evaluating the environmental role of a productive system: An environmental assessment of beef farms in North-West Italy D. Biagini & M. Betta https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176100
- The Effects of Manure Application and Herbivore Excreta on Plant and Soil Properties of Temperate Grasslands—A Review A. Brummerloh & K. Kuka https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13123010
47 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Pig Slurry Management in Mediterranean Agriculture Under Real Farming Conditions: A Case Study in Southern Spain M. Sepúlveda-García et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/land15091624
- Tree cover influences the soil C balance in Mediterranean cork oak-based silvopastoral systems A. Pulina et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2021.105234
- The role of mycorrhiza in food security and the challenge of climate change I. Ortas https://doi.org/10.52804/ijaas2022.311
- Long-term effects of slurry and fertilizer applications on soil extractable potassium and the soil potassium balance for a temperate grassland J. Holland et al. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021859626100550
- No saturation of soil carbon under long-term extreme manure additions H. Heinemann et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-024-07146-z
- Composition and carbon utilization of soil microbial communities subjected to long-term nitrogen fertilization in a temperate grassland in northern China Y. Li et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2017.11.009
- Enhancing soil carbon in solar farms through active land management: a systematic review of the available evidence F. Carvalho et al. https://doi.org/10.1088/2752-664X/ad8ce4
- Evidence of low response of soil carbon stocks to grassland intensification D. Fornara et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2019.106705
- Manure application in managed grasslands can contribute to soil organic carbon sequestration: evidence from field experiments across Japan S. Matsuura et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-021-01795-x
- Global warming potential of a Mediterranean irrigated forage system: Implications for designing the fertilization strategy A. Pulina et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2018.05.002
- Transforming soil phosphorus fertility management strategies to support the delivery of multiple ecosystem services from agricultural systems K. Macintosh et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.08.272
- The impact of environmental policy on soil quality: Organic carbon and phosphorus levels in croplands and grasslands of the European Natura 2000 network A. Hagyó & G. Tóth https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.06.003
- Why does mineral fertilization increase soil carbon stocks in temperate grasslands? C. Poeplau et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2018.06.003
- How does grassland management affect physical and biochemical properties of temperate grassland soils? A review study S. Mayel et al. https://doi.org/10.1111/gfs.12512
- Estimating the impacts of organic manures on grass yield, soil carbon storage and N2O emissions using the DNDC model and the impact of future climate change scenarios X. Meng et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2026.110729
- Effects of Management and Climatic Variability on Indicator Species and Biomass Production in Carpathian Mountain Grasslands I. Ghețe et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15020269
- Long‐term belowground effects of grassland management: the key role of liming J. Heyburn et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.1585
- Effect of Grasslands Fertilisation on Soil Organic Matter Quality and Nutrients Status J. Plisková et al. https://doi.org/10.2478/agri-2023-0011
- Simulation and validation of long-term changes in soil organic carbon under permanent grassland using the DNDC model M. Khalil et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2019.114014
- Ruminant livestock farmers and industry are leading innovation to deliver human nutrition and improved environmental outcomes through sector lifecycle collaboration: a review of case studies E. Maree et al. https://doi.org/10.1093/af/vfae050
- Assessment of nitrous oxide emission factors for arable and grassland ecosystems M. O’Neill et al. https://doi.org/10.1080/1943815X.2020.1825227
- Responses of carbon cycling and soil organic carbon content to nitrogen addition in grasslands globally H. Liu et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2023.109164
- Improving estimates of soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and their long-term temporal changes in agricultural soils in Ireland M. Khalil & B. Osborne https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2018.02.038
- Influence of slurry acidification with H2SO4 on soil pH, N, P, S, and C dynamics: Incubation experiment Y. Zireeni et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envadv.2023.100447
- Grassland contribution to soil organic carbon stock under climate change scenarios in Basque Country (Spain) Á. Doblas-Rodrigo et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-022-01877-4
- Bioaccumulation and potential ecotoxicological effects of trace metals along a management intensity gradient in volcanic pasturelands C. Parelho et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128601
- Hydrochar as a One Health solution to mitigate antibiotic resistance genes from slurry in grassland soils I. Ikoyi et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1800404
- Guiding phosphorus stewardship for multiple ecosystem services G. Macdonald et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/ehs2.1251
- Use of CLEANED to Assess the Productive, Environmental, and Economic Impact of Dairy Farms in the Peruvian Amazon L. Oré et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14223224
- Grassland soil organic carbon stocks along management intensity and warming gradients C. Poeplau https://doi.org/10.1111/gfs.12537
- Greenhouse-gas budgets for irrigated dairy pasture and a winter-forage kale crop J. Laubach & J. Hunt https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2017.04.013
- Sustainable intensification to coordinate agricultural efficiency and environmental protection: a systematic review based on metrological visualization X. Lyu et al. https://doi.org/10.1080/1747423X.2021.1922524
- Improving phosphorus sustainability in intensively managed grasslands: The potential role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi D. Fornara et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135744
- The effects of irrigation on carbon balance in an irrigated grazed pasture system in New Zealand D. Giltrap et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2020.102851
- Effects of grassland management on plant C:N:P stoichiometry: implications for soil element cycling and storage J. Heyburn et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.1963
- Effects of nutrient fertilization and soil tillage on soil CO2 emissions in a long-term grassland experiment J. Holland et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2024.106232
- Long-term nitrogen and phosphorus amendments reshape arbuscular mycorrhizal regulation of hyphosphere microbial communities and functions in grassland soils D. LI et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedsph.2026.05.014
- Integrating large mammalian herbivores into Dynamic Global Vegetation Models: Status and next steps Y. Cheng et al. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.70409
- Soil legacy effects of climatic stress, management and plant functional composition on microbial communities influence the response of Lolium perenne to a new drought event N. Legay et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-017-3403-x
- No-till permanent meadow promotes soil carbon sequestration and nitrogen use efficiency at the expense of productivity F. Castelli et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-017-0462-6
- Mitigation strategy synergies in Irish dairy production: a 6-year empirical life cycle assessment L. Vergara et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2026.1768097
- Restoring nutrient circularity in a nutrient-saturated area in Germany requires systemic change B. van der Wiel et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-021-10172-3
- Long-term biomass removal in grasslands reduces plant and soil phosphorus, increases carbon:phosphorus stoichiometry, but does not lead to microbial phosphorus limitation A. Simpson et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2025.110017
- Carbon dioxide fluxes and carbon balance of an agricultural grassland in southern Finland L. Heimsch et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-3467-2021
- Effects of nutrient fertilization on root decomposition and carbon accumulation in intensively managed grassland soils D. Fornara et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3103
- An unconventional approach to evaluating the environmental role of a productive system: An environmental assessment of beef farms in North-West Italy D. Biagini & M. Betta https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176100
- The Effects of Manure Application and Herbivore Excreta on Plant and Soil Properties of Temperate Grasslands—A Review A. Brummerloh & K. Kuka https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13123010
Saved (final revised paper)
Latest update: 26 Sep 2026
Short summary
This study demonstrates that intensively managed agricultural grasslands can sequester significant amounts of carbon in soils, especially under long-term applications of cattle slurries. There is also evidence that soil carbon sequestration can contribute to offset between 9 % and 25 % of total greenhouse gas emissions associated with the management of permanent grassland. However, to make livestock-based grassland systems more sustainable, further carbon-gain efficiencies are required.
This study demonstrates that intensively managed agricultural grasslands can sequester...
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