Karlen

Bioenergy Activities at Ames, IA

Research Project: Ecologically-Based Soil Management for Sustainable Agriculture and Resource Conservation (3625-12000-012-00D) (D.L. Karlen, LS)

Objective: To develop innovative, ecologically-based crop and soil nutrient management practices for enhanced productivity and negligible off-site agricultural impacts.

Hypotheses:
1. Long-term average crop yield from chisel-plowed Clarion-Nicollet-Webster soils will decrease significantly by removing crop residues for biofuels production.
2. With no-tillage, at least 2 t/ac of the surface crop residue can be harvested from Clarion-Nicollet-Webster soils for biofuels production without significantly decreasing long-term average yield.
3. With intensive crop management (i.e. increased plant population, fertilizer rates, and narrow row spacing) more than 2 t/ac of biomass can be harvested from Clarion-Nicollet-Webster soils for biofuels production without significantly decreasing long-term average no-till yield.
4. With cover crops more than 2 t/ac of biomass can be harvested from Clarion-Nicollet-Webster soils for biofuels production without significantly decreasing long-term average no-till yield.
5. Applying charcoal (biochar) will significantly increase the Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF) rating for Clarion-Nicollet-Webster soils where crop residues are harvested for biofuels production.

Research Project: Biogeochemical processes influencing formation and stabilization of soil organic matter and soil structure (3625-11120-011-00D) (D.L. Laird, LS, David.Laird@ars.usda.gov)

Objective: Determine the role of clay minerals and charcoal in the formation and stabilization of soil organic matter and soil structure

Hypotheses:
1. Charcoal additions to soil will have a positive impact on crop productivity in a Midwestern corn-soybean cropping system.
2. Charcoal additions to soils will stimulate formation of clay-humic complexes and the formation and stabilization of new biogenic soil organic matter.
3. Charcoal additions to soils will reduce nitrogen and pesticide leaching by increased adsorption.

Soil Quality Improving How Soil Works soilquality.org
This site is a collaboration between the NRCS National Soil Quality Team, the National Soil Tilth Lab, NCERA-59 Scientists, and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
USDA ARS Research Project: Ecologically-Based Soil Management for Sustainable Agriculture and Resource Conservation