A simple empirical model based on regression analysis to estimate ammonia emissions after manure application

Using regression analysis, the results of field and wind tunnel experiments were employed to derive a simple empirical model to estimate ammonia emissions after the application of liquid cattle manure on grassland. The model takes into account the mean saturation deficit of the air (derived from temperature and relative humidity), the total ammoniacal nitrogen content of the manure (TAN) and the application rate. Such an empirical model can be useful to evaluate the importance of different single factors in the complex system that determines NH3 emissions and as a tool to optimize manure management.