Dynamics of Soil CH4 and CO2 Fluxes from Cattle Urine with and Without a Nitrification Inhibitor, and Dung Deposited onto a UK Grassland Soil
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Food production systems associated with livestock management are significant sources of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Livestock excreta is one of the primary sources GHG emissions from grazing livestock. Against this context, a field experiment was established in a UK grassland to establish the extent of soil CH4, CO2, and N2O fluxes upon the deposition of (i) cattle urine (U), (ii) urine + DCD (U + DCD), (iii) artificial urine (AU), and dung (D), and compared with a (iv) control, where neither urine nor dung was applied. Applications of excreta were made at three periods during the grazing season; early-, mid, and late-season. Soil N2O emissions data have been published already; hence this paper summarizes the emissions of soil-borne CH4 and CO2 emissions, and explores in particular, the effects of the addition of DCD, a nitrification inhibitor used to reduce direct and indirect N2O emissions from urine patches, on these C-GHGs. Soil moisture, soil temperature, and nitrate (NO3−) and ammonium (NH4+) availability and C addition were key controls of both soil CH4 and CO2 emissions. The dung treatment stimulated the production and subsequent emissions of soil CH4 and CO2, a significantly high net CH4 and CO2-based GWP. The findings of the current study lay a foundation for an in-depth understanding of the magnitude and dynamics of soil-borne soil CH4 and CO2 upon urine and dung deposition during three different seasons. This study implies that the use of DCD may have the potential to reduce C-GHGs from the urine and dung of grazing animals.
Source: Methane
Authors: Jerry Dlamini, David Chadwick, Laura Cardenas
Institutions: North-West University, Bangor University, Rothamsted Research
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,207
OpenAlex ID: W7124733322