Rialúid na mbláthán le héifeachtúlacht éinreachta agus le lorg an tseachta ar fhad ar fhoirne agus ar fhoirne na gcoimhlint

This article presents recent findings on nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from two legumes: winter oilseed rape and white clover in grassland mixtures. Winter oilseed rape, compared to other major crops under identical pedo-climatic conditions, results in very low N2O emissions both during its growing cycle and in the months following harvest. N2O emissions from grasslands containing white clover were similar regardless of clover content—35% or 19%—amounting to 6.6% and 3.2% of the dry matter harvested, respectively. Emissions appear more closely linked to nitrogen inputs, although the majority originate from the soil nitrogen pool. In grassland systems, on typical farm scales, the inclusion of legumes has a beneficial effect on non-renewable energy (NRE) and climate change (CC) balances, whether grown in pure stands or in association with cereals. In grassland systems, balances are slightly positive when comparing intensive systems (35% maize) to extensive systems (low maize, more grass with legumes), with a notable 27% improvement in the NRE balance in favour of extensive systems.