Estimation of N2-fixation by grass–white clover mixtures in cut or grazed swards

Abstract. Formulation of nitrogen balances on farms requires accurate information on all inputs of the nutrient. N₂-fixation by legumes, particularly forage legumes, is an important input which is difficult to measure. Simple regression models have been established from the literature for predicting N₂-fixation by grass–white clover ( Trifolium repens ) mixtures using dry matter yields.
Linear relationships were obtained between the N₂- fixation (N_fix) and the extra dry matter production of mixed swards (M_d) compared with pure grass swards. Nitrogen fixation was given by N_fix= A + 0.067M_d where A is the intercept having a value of 6.8 for cut swards and -168.1 for grazed swards. A common slope was adopted because the F statistics showed that slopes fitted separately were not significantly different. The value of the negative intercept represents the supply of N to the grazed sward from soil and excreta-derived N. The regression equation for the cut sward gave reasonable predictions (r²= 0.953) of values of N₂-fixed for experimental data not used in establishing the relationship. For grazed grass, the approach over-estimated the N₂- fixation by an average of 15%.     

Assessment of tillage strategies to decrease nitrate leaching in the Brimstone Farm Experiment, Oxfordshire, UK

Tillage may influence nitrate losses from agricultural soils. Losses of nitrate were measured in drainflow at 60 cm depth and in combined surface runoff and interflow in the A horizon (=surface layer flow) on hydrologically sealed plots with a two-year comparison (1988–1990) of shallow-tine cultivation vs. mouldboard ploughing. Ploughing increased concentrations and loadings of nitrate in drainflow and surface layer flow, especially in the first year. After these two years the shallow-tined plots were ploughed to plant winter beans (Vicia faba L.), and nitrate in drainflow then increased over the next three winters, slightly exceeding that from the plots which had been ploughed throughout for winter cereals. The composition of the surface layer flow did not show this effect, however. Calculations of net winter mineralisation of soil organic nitrogen showed that shallow-tine cultivation may have decreased mineralisation slightly compared with ploughing in the first two years. These calculations did not indicate any increase in mineralisation for two winters after the minimally cultivated plots were ploughed in autumn 1990, probably because the soil was then very dry. This increase was apparently delayed until the fifth winter (1992/1993), which was much wetter than any since autumn 1990. In the previous eight years (1980–1988) half of the plots had been ploughed and half had been direct drilled. Averaged over the five winters 1988/1989–1992/1993, the five measures of nitrate loss in drainflow from plots previously direct drilled were 6–57% more than from plots previously ploughed, and winter mineralisation was 20% more, with no evidence of any decline in either with time. The nitrate produced by mineralisation of organic matter conserved by the eight years of direct drilling was mainly lost by leaching or denitrification; it was of little or no benefit to the crops. The results suggest that in the long term more nitrate is leached from land subject to periods of minimal or zero tillage and ploughing than from land ploughed every year.     

The Impact of Tax Incentives: Do Initial Economic Conditions Matter?

Do the returns to business tax incentives differ according to the initial economic conditions of the area providing tax relief? Past research studies have provided conflicting answers to this question. Bartik (1991) concluded that rates of return to business tax incentives are likely to be greater for less affluent areas than for wealthier areas offering equivalent incentives. In contrast, Fisher and Peters (1998) determined that tax incentives tend only to offset higher taxes on businesses located in low income areas. This study examines this issue using a unique data set that allows for a fresh look at this issue. We find that the returns to subsidized investment are greater in lower unemployment and higher income areas. This suggests that tax incentives reinforce pre‐existing economic differences across areas.     

Identification of an Assemblage of Indicator Organisms to Assess Timing and Source of Bacterial Contamination in Groundwater

Bacterial contamination of drinking water wells is a commonproblem in many rural areas. Some of this contamination may berelated to manure spreading or housing of livestock; another source is on-site septic systems. Current indicator organisms are able to detect the presence of fecal contamination, but where there may be more than one potential source of fecal material, the current indicators are unable to ascertain the origin. This laboratory investigation was undertaken to determine the longevity and reliability of a selected suite of indicator organisms. Total coliform, fecal coliform, fecal streptococci and Clostridium perfringens were monitoredin a simulated contaminated groundwater environment for 6 months. All four indicator organisms were present at the end of6 months. The number of fecal streptococi bacteria decreased most noticeably, allowing assessment of relative age of contamination. C. perfringens was found to be a reliableindicator of contamination from animal manure. Fecal material from 28 different animals and three septic systems were assessed for the presence of the indicator organisms. Totalcoliform, fecal coliform and fecal streptococci were present in the fecal material of all animals tested including reptiles.C. perfringens was detected in feces from all but two of the animals assessed. Using an assemblage of indicator organisms provides more information regarding source and timingof contamination than just testing for total coliform and fecalcoliform bacteria.