Impact de la destruction de prairie sur le reliquat d'azote et la gestion de la fertilisation azotee

Impact of the destruction of grassland on soil nitrogen residue and the management of nitrogen fertilization. When permanent grassland is destroyed, the mineralization of organic matter accumulated in the soil leads to a substantial enrichment of soil mineral nitrogen for several years after the destruction occurs. Results show that, following the destruction of grassland in early spring, yields of maize silage were high for a period of two years. Furthermore, the residual nitrogen in the soil after harvest far exceeded the expected values for the crop. Results from other studies show that the risk of nitrogen loss is high following the destruction of permanent pasture before winter even in colder climates. Reducing the risk of nitrogen loss between two cultures requires not only a more accurate control of fertilization by carrying out soil analyses, but also the application of a generalized ban on grassland destruction before winter and the carrying of appropriate crop sequences to remove nitrogen available in large quantities over as long a period as possible.