@misc{10481/105765,
year = {2025},
month = {1},
url = {https://hdl.handle.net/10481/105765},
abstract = {A better understanding of the role of plant composition and N cycle on agroecosystems is necessary, as these will be affected by future developments in agriculture
intensification. To explore the effect of plant diversity on yield and carbon (C) and nitrogen
(N) balances in forage mixtures, identifying potential co-benefits between functions. We
analyzed results from a field experiment where plants of three forage species (a grass, a
legume, and a non-legume forb) were cultivated in monocultures and mixtures. Three
years after sward establishment, dry matter yield, together with δ
15N, δ
13C, and C and
N content in plant and soil material were measured. In addition, we analyzed a second
scenario to investigate the effect of fertigation with pig slurry (δ
15N = +8.4‰) on the C and
N balances of forage species. Results support the hypothesis that C and N allocation is
affected by plant diversity. Plant composition affected N source (% N derived from air, % N
derived from soil, and % N transferred in mixtures). In addition, sown diversity increased
yield and modulated C and N balances. The δ
15N of samples was affected by both plant
composition and fertigation. These results are consistent with previous work showing
strong plant composition effects on N-balances, and the potential role that legumes play in
enhancing nitrogen sources (derived from the atmosphere) into forage mixture systems.
This study contributes to the prediction of suitable sown plant community composition
and N management for the optimum agriculture with increased productivity and at the
same time reduced environmental impact},
organization = {Ministerio de Medioambiente - Spain (D-SPRING:
A418/2007/2-08.2; and OPS: 209/PC08/3-08.2)},
organization = {Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) - (PRIMA Call 2020, Section 2/PCI 2021-121982)},
organization = {MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 (TED2021-130503B-I00)},
publisher = {MDPI},
keywords = {Plant diversity},
keywords = {Forage mixtures},
keywords = {Carbon and nitrogen balance},
keywords = {Stable isotope},
title = {Sown Diversity Effects on the C and N Cycle and Interactions with Fertilization},
doi = {10.3390/agronomy15020287},
author = {Aljazairi López, Salvador and Ribas, Angela and Llurba, Rosa and Ferrio, Juan Pedro and Voltas, Jordi and Nogués, Salvador and Sebastiá, Maria Teresa},
}