Why the supersite?

The Norwegian supersite will help AgNUE to study nitrogen mitigation in summer cereal systems in South-East Norway. The site represents northern cereal production on artificially drained soils with relatively high soil organic carbon content and low pH, where maintenance liming is required. Summer cereals are typically established in early May, and pre-summer drought can make irrigation necessary. The site is particularly relevant for comparing enhanced-efficiency fertilisers, autumn-sown cover crops and changes in fertiliser timing under hemiboreal agricultural conditions.

Climate change has resulted in less stable winter conditions in South-East Norway with frequent freezing and thawing of soils. Special attention will therefore be given to non-growing season emission fluxes which have been shown to account for the bulk of annual nitrogen emissions in such environments. Focus on off-season emissions also calls for research on crop residue management as one way to mitigate these emissions.