Nitrogen losses by denitrification and leaching in grassland

In this study nitrogen losses by denitrification and leaching have been quantified in a natural grassland, comparing the losses produced by a mineral fertilization (calcium ammonium nitrate) and an organic fertilization (cow slurry). It has been stated that in the edafoclimatic conditions of the Basque Country denitrification losses are more important than those produced by leaching, spring and autumn being the seasons with a greater risk of losses. These losses are great and immediately occurring after mineral fertilization and small but distributed along the time when organic fertilization is applied.