1. Effects of water infiltration on grass yields and soil nitrogen supply of Dutch peat soils
- Author
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Hoving, I.E., van Middelkoop, J.C., Massop, H.T.L., van den Akker, J.J.H., van Houwelingen, K.M., Hoving, I.E., van Middelkoop, J.C., Massop, H.T.L., van den Akker, J.J.H., and van Houwelingen, K.M.
- Abstract
Despite the large proportion of surface water and high ditch water levels, Dutch peat soils have a high nitrogen supply due to peat oxidation. To reduce land subsidence and GHG emissions, raising groundwater levels can reduce oxygen entry and so peat oxidation. To this end, field experiments with submerged drains for water infiltration were carried out from 2003 to 2021. Grass yields were determined up to and including 2014 with and without nitrogen (N) fertilization. N yields of the unfertilized fields represent the soil N supply (SNS). Under fertilized conditions grass yields were not influenced, or hardly influenced, by submerged drains. Where submerged drains provided extra water infiltration during summer, the SNS was reduced. This yield-reducing effect was compensated by a higher N utilization.
- Published
- 2024