Nitrous oxide flux from nitric-acid-treated cattle slurry applied to grassland under semi-controlled conditions

Abstract

Nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes from cattle slurry after surface application to grassland were measured under semi-controlled environmental conditions during three periods in 1991. Three types of cattle slurry were examined; untreated slurry and slurries treated with nitric acid (HNO3) to pH 6.0 and 4.5. Treatment with HNO3 is a proposed technique to reduce ammonia volatilization from slurry during storage, and during and after surface application. N2O flux was determined one to four times a day for 7 to 18 days after application of 0.64 to 3.8 kg slurry/msuperscript 2. Slurry-derived fluxes were greater from treated slurries than from untreated slurries. Cumulative N2O losses ranged from