Optimising grass-legume mixtures based on growth strategies for high N-yield and low N loss in fertilised grasslands

Barneze, Arlete S.; Oram, Natalie J.; Weewer, Willeke; Abalos, Diego; De Deyn, Gerlinde B.

Optimising grass-legume mixtures based on growth strategies for high N-yield and low N loss in fertilised grasslands

Barneze, Arlete S. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5781-0424; Oram, Natalie J.; Weewer, Willeke; Abalos, Diego; De Deyn, Gerlinde B.. 2025 Optimising grass-legume mixtures based on growth strategies for high N-yield and low N loss in fertilised grasslands. Plant and Soil. 19, pp. 10.1007/s11104-025-07736-5

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07736-5

Abstract/Summary

•Aims: Managed grasslands are important agro-ecosystems, consisting of grass monocultures with high nitrogen (N) fertiliser inputs. This management results in low N use efficiency and high N losses to the environment. Growing mixtures of plant species with diverse N acquisition strategies can reduce N losses and maintain high grassland productivity, yet determining the best mixture remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to investigate how grass-legume mixtures with contrasting growth strategies affect plant productivity, N use efficiency, N uptake, and soil mineral N, and how these effects depend on the N-fertilisation level. •Methods: Two complementing field experiments were established: the first determined how monocultures and mixtures (two and four grass-legume mixtures) with contrasting growth strategies (fast- vs . slow-growing) affect productivity and N-cycling. The second determined the effect of fertilisation level on productivity and N-cycling in monocultures and two-species mixtures. •Results: We found that productivity and N uptake of the four-species mixture was as high as the most productive monoculture and two-species mixtures. This was associated with an increase in legume N fixation and high N use efficiency of the plant community. Fast-growing grass and legume combination increased productivity and reduced soil mineral N, thus reducing the risk of N loss at both N-fertilisation levels, while combining a fast-growing grass with a slow-growing legume promoted high legume N fixation under low N-fertilisation. •Conclusions: This study shows that productivity and N-cycling decreases via complementarity effects when growing mixtures of fast- and slow-growing grasses and a fast-growing legume at moderate level of N-fertilisation.

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1007/s11104-025-07736-5

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Biodiversity and Land Use (2025-)

ISSN:

0032-079X

Additional Information:

Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.

Additional Keywords:

grass-legume mixtures, growth strategies, managed grassland, nitrogen cycling, nitrogen use efficiency, plant productivity