Simulation of a regional soil nitrogen balance in Swiss croplands

Nitrogen (N) management in cropping systems needs adjustments because constraints to crop production are mostly related to high inputs and low recovery of N fertilizers. We used the DayCent model to predict regional N inputs, outputs, and balances of Swiss soils under (1) a range of N fertilizer input levels (0–300% of recommended crop-specific rates) and (2) organic fertilization, reduced tillage or cover cropping at the recommended input of N....