Project properties
Title Herb-rich grassland: exploring effects on soil characteristics in relation to nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions
Group Soil Biology
Project type thesis
Credits 24-39
Supervisor(s) Dorien Westerik, Mart Ros, Gerard Velthof, Jan Willem van Groenigen
Examiner(s) prof.dr. Rachel Creamer
Contact info Dorien Westerik (dorien.westerik@wur.nl)
Begin date 2025/03/01
End date
Description From spring 2025-spring 2026 a field experiment is taking place with different mixtures of grasses (Lolium perenne and Festuca arundinacea), legumes (Trifolium pratense and T. repens) with biological nitrogen (N) fixation, and a herb Plantago lanceolate with demonstrated biological nitrification inhibiting capacity (i.e. limiting the conversion of NH4+ to NO3- in soil). The main goal of this experiment is to look at the effect of species (mixtures) on nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions resulting from manure and mineral N fertilizer sources, and exploring how N inputs can be reduced and N2O losses can be mitigated, whilst maintaining the productivity of the grassland.

Throughout 2025, N2O emissions from grassland plots will be measured, as well as microclimatic factors, (N) yield, soil mineral N pools, soil pH and dissolved organic carbon concentrations, and the abundance of functional genes associated with the soil N cycle. We are looking for a thesis or internship student who would like to delve deeper into this system (literally), by studying the effects of species mixtures and fertilization on for example:
- N leaching
- soil biota
- plant root characteristics
- (physico-chemical) soil characteristics
The focus of your work is open for discussion, and dependent on your own interests. There is the opportunity to assist with N2O measurements, conduct laboratory analyses, analyze soil biota, and/or plant and root traits.
Used skills Writing proposal and thesis, experimental design, field work, chemical and biological laboratory work, data analysis.
Requirements