Can ruminant urine-N rate and plants affect nitrate leaching and its isotopic composition?

Worldwide there is an increasing awareness of the potential risks that pasture grazing systems pose to freshwater. Excess nutrient levels, predominately nitrate (NO3−), result in reduced water quality. This study focused on further understanding how the presence or absence of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L) and bovine urine (BU) influenced both the NO3− isotopic signature and the amount of NO3− leached. Plant presence resulted in lower...