Free Standard AU & NZ Shipping For All Book Orders Over $80!
Register      Login
Crop and Pasture Science Crop and Pasture Science Society
Plant sciences, sustainable farming systems and food quality
REVIEW

Nitrogen from Australian dryland pastures

J. F. Angus A B C and M. B. Peoples A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A CSIRO Sustainable Agriculture National Research Flagship, CSIRO Plant Industry, GPO Box 1600, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.

B EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: john.angus@csiro.au

Crop and Pasture Science 63(9) 746-758 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP12161
Submitted: 16 April 2012  Accepted: 30 July 2012   Published: 10 December 2012

Abstract

Legume-based pastures, particularly those containing a large proportion of lucerne (alfalfa, Medicago sativa), have a prodigious capacity to fix atmospheric N2. Budgets of N show that permanent pastures in south-eastern Australia, when growing with no management limitations, can supply more N than is removed in animal products and can eventually lead to excess soil N. For a mixed crop–livestock farm, legume-dominant ley pastures occupying ~40% of the land area can maintain a stable N balance. The actual performance of pastures on farms normally falls below the potential. Pastures are being replaced by crops in the wheat-sheep zone and, to a lesser extent, in the high-rainfall zone. Pasture productivity, as indicated by the area topdressed, the mean stocking rate, input of superphosphate and sale of pasture legume seed has decreased in the period 1990–2010. It is therefore likely that N2 fixation by pastures is falling sharply in the wheat–sheep zone and is static or falling slightly in the high-rainfall zone. Reversing the decrease in N2 fixation by pastures will become important if the real price of N fertilisers increases, as seems likely because the efficiency of fertiliser synthesis is approaching a maximum and the reserves of natural gas feedstock will eventually be depleted. Increased N2 fixation by pastures will depend on more profitable grazing industries, improved management methods and genotypes, and re-adoption of ley pastures by farmers. There is evidence that profitability of grazing enterprises is approaching that of crops so investment in pasture science is likely to lead to increased N2 fixation.

Additional keywords: high-rainfall zone, N2 fixation, nitrogen fertilisers.


References

ABARE (2004) ‘Prime lamb industry. Australian lamb 04.3.’ (Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics: Canberra)

ABARES (2011) ‘Agricultural commodity statistics 2011.’ (Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Science: Canberra)

Anderson GC, Fillery IRP, Dunin FX, Dolling PJ, Asseng S (1998) Nitrogen and water flows under pasture-wheat and lupin-wheat rotations in deep sands in Western Australia 1. Drainage and nitrate. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 49, 345–361.
Nitrogen and water flows under pasture-wheat and lupin-wheat rotations in deep sands in Western Australia 1. Drainage and nitrate.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXisFGqsbk%3D&md5=5a2d10dfb1bdf308e3d5ccbb3251e252CAS |

Angus JF (2001) Nitrogen supply and demand in Australian agriculture. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 41, 277–288.
Nitrogen supply and demand in Australian agriculture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXkt1CrsbY%3D&md5=6bc2f63475c9af917c6e06b78f8e746dCAS |

Angus JF, van Herwaarden AF, Fischer RA, Howe GN, Heenan DP (1998) The source of mineral nitrogen for cereals in southeastern Australia. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 49, 511–522.
The source of mineral nitrogen for cereals in southeastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXisFGqt74%3D&md5=8fe31b606665fc670cb6d699769c56e2CAS |

Angus JF, Gault RR, Good AJ, Hart AB, Jones TJ, Peoples MB (2000) Lucerne removal before a cropping phase. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 51, 877–890.
Lucerne removal before a cropping phase.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Angus JF, Bolger TP, Kirkegaard JA, Peoples MB (2006) Nitrogen mineralisation in relation to previous crops and pastures. Australian Journal of Soil Research 44, 355–365.
Nitrogen mineralisation in relation to previous crops and pastures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XmtFKgsL4%3D&md5=b467288e006e1b4686eaec1f9c7d19b7CAS |

Armstrong RD, McCosker K, Johnson S, Walsh K, Millar G, Kuskopf B, Standley J, Probert M (1999) Legume and opportunity cropping systems in central Queensland. 1. Legume growth, nitrogen fixation and water use. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 50, 909–924.
Legume and opportunity cropping systems in central Queensland. 1. Legume growth, nitrogen fixation and water use.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Ball R, Keeney DR, Thoebald PW, Nes P (1979) Nitrogen balance in urine-affected areas of a New Zealand pasture. Agronomy Journal 71, 309–314.
Nitrogen balance in urine-affected areas of a New Zealand pasture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE1MXktVCmsL0%3D&md5=ac525c50bf20b0c07ffd4b529c8b14bdCAS |

Birch HF (1958) The effect of soil drying on humus decomposition and nitrogen availability. Plant and Soil 10, 9–31.
The effect of soil drying on humus decomposition and nitrogen availability.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaG1MXjs1ehug%3D%3D&md5=1c16ac9a997847d10dd566306f527878CAS |

Bolger TP, Angus JF, Peoples MB (2003) Nitrogen mineralisation from root residues of subterranean clover and lucerne. Biology and Fertility of Soils 38, 296–300.
Nitrogen mineralisation from root residues of subterranean clover and lucerne.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXotVarsr4%3D&md5=e39793b376ec2422a4283cde879d3da4CAS |

Boon KF, Kiefert L, Ctainsh GH (1998) Organic matter content of rural dusts in Australia. Atmospheric Environment 32, 2817–2823.
Organic matter content of rural dusts in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXks1Ghsbw%3D&md5=8d39213b93d6024247cff69932c3d74aCAS |

Bouton JH (2012) Breeding lucerne for persistence. Crop & Pasture Science 63, 95–106.
Breeding lucerne for persistence.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bowman AM, Peoples MB, Smith W, Brockwell J (2002) Factors affecting nitrogen fixation by dryland lucerne in central-western New South Wales. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 42, 439–451.
Factors affecting nitrogen fixation by dryland lucerne in central-western New South Wales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bowman AM, Smith W, Peoples MB, Brockwell J (2004) Survey of the productivity, composition and estimated inputs of nitrogen by pastures in central-western New South Wales. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 44, 1165–1175.
Survey of the productivity, composition and estimated inputs of nitrogen by pastures in central-western New South Wales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Chalk PM (1998) Dynamics of biologically fixed N in legume-cereal rotations: a review. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 49, 303–316.
Dynamics of biologically fixed N in legume-cereal rotations: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXisFGqsbs%3D&md5=23a823672fd60bfd6c93900151eddfcbCAS |

Christian CS (1944) Summer-rainfall pastures and the cattle industry. Journal of the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science 10, 25–30.

Clarke AL, Russell JS (1977) Crop sequential practices. In ‘Soil factors in crop production in a semi-arid environment’. (Eds JS Russell, EL Greacen) pp. 279–300. (University of Queensland Press: St Lucia)

Crockford RH, Khanna PK (1997) Chemistry of throughfall, stemflow and litterfall in fertilized and irrigated Pinus radiata. Hydrological Processes 11, 1493–1507.
Chemistry of throughfall, stemflow and litterfall in fertilized and irrigated Pinus radiata.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Dalal RC, Mayer RJ (1986) Long term trends in fertility of soils under continuous cultivation and cereal cropping in southern Queensland. V. Rate of loss of total nitrogen from the soil profile and changes in carbon: nitrogen ratios. Australian Journal of Soil Research 24, 493–504.
Long term trends in fertility of soils under continuous cultivation and cereal cropping in southern Queensland. V. Rate of loss of total nitrogen from the soil profile and changes in carbon: nitrogen ratios.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Dart PJ (1986) Nitrogen fixation associated with non-legumes in agriculture. Plant and Soil 90, 303–334.
Nitrogen fixation associated with non-legumes in agriculture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL28Xhs1Ghur8%3D&md5=91ada642d222ef0b7fe0e40cc229ab5dCAS |

Dean CA, Sun W, Dong Z, Caldwell CD (2006) Soybean nodule hydrogen metabolism affects soil hydrogen uptake and the growth of rotation crops. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 86, 1355–1359.
Soybean nodule hydrogen metabolism affects soil hydrogen uptake and the growth of rotation crops.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Dear BS, Virgona JM, Sandral GA, Swan AD, Orchard BA (2007) Lucerne, phalaris and wallaby grass in short-term pasture phases in two eastern Australian wheatbelt environments. 1. Importance of initial pasture density on their persistence and recruitment, and on the presence of weeds. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 58, 113–121.

Dear BS, Virgona JM, Sandral GA, Swan AD, Morris S (2009) Changes in soil mineral nitrogen, nitrogen leached, and surface pH under annual and perennial pasture species. Crop & Pasture Science 60, 975–986.
Changes in soil mineral nitrogen, nitrogen leached, and surface pH under annual and perennial pasture species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXhtFCntr%2FP&md5=f9363c967e3804784e7be432678c0344CAS |

Dear BS, Peoples MB, Hayes RC, Swan AD, Chan KY, Oates AA, Morris SG, Orchard BA (2010) Effect of gypsum on establishment, persistence and productivity of lucerne and annual pasture legumes on two grey Vertosols in southern New South Wales. Crop & Pasture Science 61, 435–449.
Effect of gypsum on establishment, persistence and productivity of lucerne and annual pasture legumes on two grey Vertosols in southern New South Wales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Dillon PJ (1988) Evaluation of the sources of nitrate in groundwater near Mount Gambier, South Australia. CSIRO Water Resources Series 1, Canberra. pp. 1–66.

Dong Z, Wu L, Kettlewell B, Caldwell CD, Layzell DB (2003) Hydrogen fertilization of soils – is this a benefit of legumes in rotation? Plant, Cell & Environment 26, 1875–1879.
Hydrogen fertilization of soils – is this a benefit of legumes in rotation?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXmt1eksg%3D%3D&md5=e7e42d7e844d7218274fbc6d1d9e686cCAS |

Donnelly JR, Freer M (1974) Prediction of body composition of live sheep. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 25, 825–834.
Prediction of body composition of live sheep.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

DPI (2011) Department of Primary Industries, NSW. Available at: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/farm-business/budgets [Verified 9 October 2012]

Ellington A, Reeves TG, Boundy KA, Brooke HD (1979) Increasing yield and soil fertility with pasture/wheat/grain-legume rotations and direct drilling. Abstracts. Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science 2, 509

FIFA (2011) Fertiliser Industry Federation of Australia. Available at: www.fifa.asn.au

Fillery IRP (2001) The fate of biologically fixed nitrogen in legume-based dryland farming systems: a review. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 41, 361–381.
The fate of biologically fixed nitrogen in legume-based dryland farming systems: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXkt1Crtro%3D&md5=927b27d6ea0bfe0168b5196b4ba78d13CAS |

Flood RG, Martin PJ (2001) Nitrogen accumulation and distribution at anthesis and maturity in ten wheat cultivars grown at three sites in north-western Victoria. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 41, 533–540.
Nitrogen accumulation and distribution at anthesis and maturity in ten wheat cultivars grown at three sites in north-western Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Freer M, Dove H, Nolan JV (Eds) (2007) ‘Nutrient requirements of domesticated ruminants.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)

French RJ, Schultz JE (1984) Water use efficiency of wheat in a Mediterranean-type environment. I. The relation between yield, water use and climate. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 35, 743–764.
Water use efficiency of wheat in a Mediterranean-type environment. I. The relation between yield, water use and climate.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Gault RR, Peoples MB, Turner GL, Lilley DM, Brockwell J, Bergersen F (1995) Nitrogen fixation by irrigated lucerne during the first three years after establishment. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 46, 1401–1425.
Nitrogen fixation by irrigated lucerne during the first three years after establishment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Gourley CJP, Dougherty WJ, Weaver DM, Aarons SR, Awty IM, Gibson DM, Hannah MC, Smith AP, Peverill KI (2012) Farm-scale nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur balances and use efficiencies on Australian dairy farm. Animal Production Science 52, 929–944.

Harris GH, Hesterman OB (1990) Quantifying the nitrogen contribution from alfalfa to soil and two succeeding crops using nitrogen-15. Agronomy Journal 82, 129–134.
Quantifying the nitrogen contribution from alfalfa to soil and two succeeding crops using nitrogen-15.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3cXhtFOku7w%3D&md5=b2c1a89bee0cd78d1e296040835a8471CAS |

Harris RH, Scammell GJ, Müller WJ, Angus JF (2002) Crop productivity in relation to species of previous crops and management of previous pastures. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 53, 1271–1283.
Crop productivity in relation to species of previous crops and management of previous pastures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Helyar KR, Cullis BR, Furniss K, Kohn GD, Taylor AC (1997) Changes in the acidity and fertility of a red earth soil under wheat – annual pasture rotations. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 48, 561–586.
Changes in the acidity and fertility of a red earth soil under wheat – annual pasture rotations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Herridge DF, Peoples MB, Boddey RM (2008) Marschner review: global inputs of biological nitrogen fixation in agricultural systems. Plant and Soil 311, 1–18.
Marschner review: global inputs of biological nitrogen fixation in agricultural systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhtVyju73M&md5=5e11ed4363e5bcb8c28e77a8b834b225CAS |

Hossain SA, Waring SA, Strong WM, Dalal RC, Weston EJ (1995) Estimates of nitrogen fixation by legumes in alternate cropping systems at Warra, Queensland, using 15N dilution and natural 15N abundance techniques. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 46, 493–505.
Estimates of nitrogen fixation by legumes in alternate cropping systems at Warra, Queensland, using 15N dilution and natural 15N abundance techniques.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Jenkinson DS (1990) The turnover of organic carbon and nitrogen in soil. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences 329, 361–368.
The turnover of organic carbon and nitrogen in soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3MXkslSgtb0%3D&md5=24217b9902c1fa1f0a46426ec996c391CAS |

Jenkinson DS (2001) The impact of humans on the nitrogen cycle, with focus on temperate arable agriculture. Plant and Soil 228, 3–15.
The impact of humans on the nitrogen cycle, with focus on temperate arable agriculture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXhtlWktbc%3D&md5=1d23ece88106d07b0a13142c64e7b8f6CAS |

Jenkinson DS, Coleman K (2008) The turnover of organic carbon in subsoils. Part 2. Modelling carbon turnover. European Journal of Soil Science 59, 400–413.
The turnover of organic carbon in subsoils. Part 2. Modelling carbon turnover.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Jenny H (1941) ‘Factors in soil formation.’ (McGraw Hill: New York)

Jensen ES, Peoples MB, Boddey RM, Gresshoff PM, Hauggaard-Nielsen H, Alves BJR, Morrison MJ (2012) Legumes for mitigation of climate change and provision of feedstock for biofuel and biorefineries. A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 32, 329–364.
Legumes for mitigation of climate change and provision of feedstock for biofuel and biorefineries. A review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XksVOgt78%3D&md5=ec840f21b9faeb82316c06e3e1342bbdCAS |

Khan DF, Peoples MB, Schwenke GD, Felton WL, Chen D, Herridge DF (2003) Effects of below-ground nitrogen on N balances of field-grown fababean, chickpea and barley. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 54, 333–340.
Effects of below-ground nitrogen on N balances of field-grown fababean, chickpea and barley.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

King WMcG, Dowling PM, Michalk DL, Kemp DR, Millar GD, Packer IJ, Priest SM, Tarleton JA (2006) Sustainable grazing systems for the Central Tablelands of New South Wales. 1. Agronomic implications of vegetation – environment associations within a naturalised temperate perennial grassland. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46, 439–456.
Sustainable grazing systems for the Central Tablelands of New South Wales. 1. Agronomic implications of vegetation – environment associations within a naturalised temperate perennial grassland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Kirkby CA, Kirkegaard JA, Richardson AE, Wade LJ, Blanchard C, Batten G (2011) Stable soil organic matter: a comparison of C : N : P : S ratios in Australian and other world soils. Geoderma 163, 197–208.
Stable soil organic matter: a comparison of C : N : P : S ratios in Australian and other world soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXnt1amsr0%3D&md5=2c34b73d7ddbf3ff444e5aee8fc09937CAS |

Kirkegaard JA, Peoples MB, Angus JF, Unkovich MJ (2011) Diversity and evolution of rainfed farming systems in southern Australia. In ‘Rainfed farming systems’. (Eds P Tow, I Cooper, I Partridge, C Birch) pp. 715–754. (Springer: Dordrecht, The Netherlands)

Ladd JN, Amato M (1986) The fate of nitrogen from legume and fertilizer sources in soils successively cropped with wheat under field conditions. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 18, 417–425.
The fate of nitrogen from legume and fertilizer sources in soils successively cropped with wheat under field conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Ladd JN, Oades JM, Amato M (1983a) Distribution and recovery of nitrogen from legume residues decomposing in soils in the field. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 15, 231–238.
Distribution and recovery of nitrogen from legume residues decomposing in soils in the field.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Ladd JN, Amato M, Jackson RB, Butler JHA (1983b) Utilization by wheat crops of nitrogen from legume residues decomposing in soils in the field. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 5, 234–238.

Ledgard SF, Steele KW (1992) Biological nitrogen fixation in mixed legume/grass pastures. Plant and Soil 141, 137–153.
Biological nitrogen fixation in mixed legume/grass pastures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK38Xks1KmsLY%3D&md5=6451b3e238015018a2e73c6fe096184fCAS |

Li GD, Lodge GM, Moore GA, Craig AD, Dear BS, Boschma SP, Albertsen TO, Miller SM, Harden S, Hayes RC, Hughes SJ, Snowball R, Smith AB, Cullis BC (2008) Evaluation of perennial pasture legumes and herbs to identify species with high herbage production and persistence in mixed farming zones in southern Australia. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48, 449–466.
Evaluation of perennial pasture legumes and herbs to identify species with high herbage production and persistence in mixed farming zones in southern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

McNeill AM, Zhu C, Fillery IRP (1998) A new approach to quantifying the N benefit from pasture legumes to succeeding wheat. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 49, 427–436.
A new approach to quantifying the N benefit from pasture legumes to succeeding wheat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXisFGqtro%3D&md5=8b1c24608f1583524f471076b1e11e83CAS |

Neal JS, Fulkerson WJ, Hacker RB (2011a) Differences in water use efficiency among annual forages used by the dairy industry under optimum and deficit irrigation. Agricultural Water Management 98, 759–774.
Differences in water use efficiency among annual forages used by the dairy industry under optimum and deficit irrigation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Neal JS, Fulkerson WJ, Sutton BG (2011b) Differences in water-use efficiency among perennial forages used in the dairy industry under optimum and deficit irrigation. Irrigation Science 29, 213–232.

Osborne CA, Peoples MB, Janssen PH (2010) Exposure of soil to a low concentration of hydrogen elicits a reproducible, single member shift in the bacterial community. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 76, 1471–1479.
Exposure of soil to a low concentration of hydrogen elicits a reproducible, single member shift in the bacterial community.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXjsFanu7g%3D&md5=daa67384af78bd1b461635be1f2a3523CAS |

Pannell DJ (1987) Crop-livestock interactions and rotational selection. In ‘MIDAS, a bioeconomic model for a dryland farm system’. (Eds DS Kingwell, DJ Pannell) pp. 64–73. (Pudoc: Wageningen)

Peoples MB, Baldock JA (2001) Nitrogen dynamics of pastures: nitrogen fixation inputs, the impact of legumes on soil nitrogen fertility, and the contributions of fixed nitrogen to Australian farming systems. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 41, 327–346.
Nitrogen dynamics of pastures: nitrogen fixation inputs, the impact of legumes on soil nitrogen fertility, and the contributions of fixed nitrogen to Australian farming systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXkt1Crtrw%3D&md5=0ff51c42b388da7654025c9d4c32eea8CAS |

Peoples MB, Gault RR, Scammell GJ, Dear BS, Virgona J, Sandral GA, Paul J, Wolfe EC, Angus JF (1998) The effect of pasture management on the contributions of fixed N to the economy of ley-farming systems. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 49, 459–474.
The effect of pasture management on the contributions of fixed N to the economy of ley-farming systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Peoples MB, Bowman AM, Gault RR, Herridge DF, McCallum MH, McCormick KM, Norton RM, Rochester IJ, Scammell GJ, Schwenke GD (2001) Factors regulating the contributions of fixed nitrogen by pasture and crop legumes to different farming systems of eastern Australia. Plant and Soil 228, 29–41.
Factors regulating the contributions of fixed nitrogen by pasture and crop legumes to different farming systems of eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXhtlWkur8%3D&md5=1d765b375b1022d4190d5a9e0f2f5ee9CAS |

Peoples MB, Angus JF, Swan AD, Dear BS, Hauggard-Nielsen H, Jensen ES, Ryan MH, Virgona JM (2004) Nitrogen dynamics in legume-based pasture systems. In ‘Agriculture and the nitrogen cycle’. (Eds AR Mosier, K Syers, JR Freney) pp. 245–260. (Island Press: Washington, DC)

Peoples MB, McLennan PD, Brockwell J (2008) Hydrogen emission form nodulated soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and consequences for the productivity of a subsequent maize crop. Plant and Soil 307, 67–82.
Hydrogen emission form nodulated soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and consequences for the productivity of a subsequent maize crop.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXlsV2ktr0%3D&md5=686572a850f88ec371ff63000c598cb4CAS |

Peoples MB, Brockwell J, Hunt JR, Swan AD, Watson L, Hayes RC, Li GD, Hackney B, Nuttall JG, Davies SL, Fillery IRP (2012) Factors affecting the potential contributions of N2 fixation by legumes in Australian pasture systems. Crop & Pasture Science 63, 759–786.

Poss R, Smith CJ, Dunin FX, Angus JF (1995) Rate of soil acidification under wheat in a semi-arid environment. Plant and Soil 177, 85–100.
Rate of soil acidification under wheat in a semi-arid environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK28XhtlKgur4%3D&md5=3b3987c2c3bcb594314b2ca572c1aa85CAS |

Pu G, Strong WM, Saffigna PG, Doughton J (2001) Denitrification, leaching and immobilisation of applied 15N following legume and grass pastures in a semi-arid climate in Australia. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 59, 199–207.
Denitrification, leaching and immobilisation of applied 15N following legume and grass pastures in a semi-arid climate in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Russell JS (1975) A mathematical treatment of the effect of cropping system on soil organic nitrogen in two long-term sequential experiments. Soil Science 120, 37–44.
A mathematical treatment of the effect of cropping system on soil organic nitrogen in two long-term sequential experiments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Schroder PM, Cayley JWD, Patterson AP, Quigley PE, Saul GR (1992) Achieving the potential of the pasture resource in south-west Victoria. In ‘Proceedings of the 6th Australian agronomy conference’. (Eds KJ Hutchinson, PJ Vickery) Available at: www.regional.org.au/au/asa/1992/concurrent/sustainability-environment/p-02.htm#TopOfPage

Skjemstad JO, Clarke P, Taylor JA, Oades JM, McClure SG (1996) The chemistry and nature of protected carbon in soil. Australian Journal of Soil Research 34, 251–271.
The chemistry and nature of protected carbon in soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK28XisV2is74%3D&md5=0b0842d5655ccffe695c3879c606f00cCAS |

Smil V (2001) ‘Enriching the earth: Fritz Haber, Carl Bosch, and the transformation of world food production.’ (Ed. Vaclav Smil) (MIT Press: Cambridge, MA)

Sutton MA, Howard CM, Erisman JW, Billen G, Bleeker A, Grennfelt P, van Grinsven H, Grizzetti B (2011) ‘The European nitrogen assessment: sources, effects and policy perspectives.’ (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK)

Ta TC, Faris MA (1990) Availability of N from 15N-labled alfalfa residues to three succeeding barley crops under field conditions. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 22, 835–838.
Availability of N from 15N-labled alfalfa residues to three succeeding barley crops under field conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3MXotVCluw%3D%3D&md5=bcc2eba721b988cf0c14e070ab827263CAS |

Unkovich M (2012) Nitrogen fixation in Australian dairy systems: review and prospects. Crop & Pasture Science 63, 787–804.

Unkovich MJ, Baldock J (2008) Measurement of asymbiotic N2 fixation in Australian agriculture. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 40, 2915–2921.
Measurement of asymbiotic N2 fixation in Australian agriculture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhtlGgsLvN&md5=8ff44cd50de801a65d937d8f05e68ecaCAS |

Unkovich MJ, Baldock J, Peoples MB (2010) Prospects and problems of simple linear models for estimating symbiotic N2 fixation by crop and pasture legumes. Plant and Soil 329, 75–89.
Prospects and problems of simple linear models for estimating symbiotic N2 fixation by crop and pasture legumes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXjtFGluro%3D&md5=c05ee242ea3d19e2913b94d0648d1115CAS |

van Herwaarden AF, Farquhar GD, Angus JF, Richards RA, Howe GN (1998) ‘Haying-off’, the negative grain yield response of dryland wheat to nitrogen fertilizer. I. Biomass, grain yield and water use. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 49, 1067–1081.
‘Haying-off’, the negative grain yield response of dryland wheat to nitrogen fertilizer. I. Biomass, grain yield and water use.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Williams CH, Donald CM (1957) Changes in organic matter and pH in a podzolic soil as influenced by subterranean clover and superphosphate. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 8, 179–189.
Changes in organic matter and pH in a podzolic soil as influenced by subterranean clover and superphosphate.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaG2sXktVOjtg%3D%3D&md5=de8963722ac93e57fbef0295ff1a4c79CAS |

Wood S, Henao J, Rosegrant M (2004) The role of nitrogen in sustaining food production and estimating future nitrogen fertilizer needs to meet food demand. In ‘Agriculture and the nitrogen cycle’. (Eds AR Mosier, K Syers, JR Freney) pp. 245–260. (Island Press: Washington, DC)