Very Low Nitrogen Leaching in Grazed Ley-Arable-Systems in Northwest Europe
, Thorsten Reinsch 1, Christof Kluß 1, Ralf Loges 1 and Friedhelm Taube 1,2Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The present article focused on the very low nitrogen leachate in the area of interest in the Grazed Ley-Arable systems. During the three winter seasons from 2017 to 2020, the authors monitored various pasture management systems (grass composition, mowing, fertilization, etc.). The results indicated nitrate leaching losses in all adjustments that did not exceed the WHO threshold. The results were statistically evaluated and some significances of the results were pointed out. The results also concluded that no correlation was found between the highly positive balance of the N field and the amount of leached NO3. I believe that the article will be beneficial not only for the field of researchers with a similar focus, but also in practical conditions.
Strengths:
- The article is processed at the required level and brings new knowledge.
- Sufficient and useful review of the literature.
- Material and methods - described field conditions, methodical procedures
- The results. - correspond to the set methods
- Discussion - processed at the required level
- Conclusion ...
Weaknesses:
- Conclusion - I propose to extend the text of this chapter - it is possible to supplement the legislation and extend the benefits of your study
Other comments:
- Lines 219 and 227 same numbering (2.5)
Author Response
Please see attachment.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
General comments
The paper focused on N leaching under sward ages of differently grazed, diverse mixtures management. The research lasted three years, and got some interesting results. However, it seems that this is a descriptive work and no clear scientific question like why grass-clover leys has a low nitrate leaching losses. I think the author should pay more attention on this point.
Specific comments
- Installed ceramic suction cups in the soil at a depth of 75 cm, with a 60 degree vertical angle to minimize preferential flow. How you to install suction cups to the soil? In my thought, the author seems use an anger boring to dig a tunnel, then put the cup in the soil, right? If yes, how to treat the tunnel when the installation was done? Packing with soil? Or cover with something? It is very important for leaching collection because collected water amount maybe impacted by flow from the whole upper wall of the tunnel if the rainfall intensity is high. Need for clearer.
- Figures. Don't use green color. It is difficult to read for daltonians. Revise throughout the paper.
- Figure 1. Why GC-2Y-grazed treatment has a highest nitrate leaching losses? Need deeper explanations.
- Table 4. Delete vertical line and line below the N-Yyield to make the table clearer.
- Table 5. Same with the last point. And, yearly inputs, outputs, N-balance centered horizontally.
Author Response
Please see attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
Overall, the authors have well revised manuscript. However, some more changes are needed in the future revision. Specifically, need to change all figures with red, green colors into others throughout the paper.
Author Response
The solid red line in figure 3 was changed to a solid black line as requested. In figure 5 colors are also used but the focus of the graph is to show the relationship (solid black line) which is important rather than to focus on the different colors and therefore the authors decided not to change these colors as this is also additive to the manuscript and does not make up a big part of it.
