2010 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) Determine effects of crop residue removal on soil quality. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) On-going studies at the ISU Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering Research Center (AAERC) will be enhanced by providing more rapid soil quality analyses and interpretation of information. An increased amount of crop response, nutrient uptake, and nutrient removal data will be collected. This study will complement the ARS Renewable Energy Assessment Project (REAP) team efforts with similar resources going to Morris, MN; St. Paul, MN; Lincoln, NE; Brookings, SD; University Park, PA; Pendleton, OR; and Florence, SC; Equal resources per the SunGrant program guidelines will go to university partners at each location to strengthen the research and technology transfer relationships. 3.Progress Report This project provides resources for the Renewable Energy Assessment Project (REAP) team to conduct cross-location research that has been very well received by the Department of Energy, Office of Biomass Programs. At the Ames location, field research is being conducted at three sites: the Iowa State University (ISU) Boyd Farm (rotated corn and soybean); ISU Brunner Farm (continuous corn), and Field 70/71 at the ISU Agronomy and Agricultural Biosystems Engineering (AABE) Research Center (continuous corn). The first two sites were initiated in 2005 and after completing four years of research were transitioned slightly prior to the 2009 crop harvest (1st quarter of FY10) by changing the “lower plant” treatment to a “cobs only” treatment. The amount of biomass harvested was similar (0.75 to 1.0 ton/acre) but feedstock quality for ethanol conversion was much better. Research within the Field 70/71 site includes two crop management scenarios (conventional and twin-row, intensive), evaluations of annual and perennial cover crops, and evaluations of how biochar at two different rates affects carbon sequestration and soil quality indicators. Results to date indicate that: (1) biochar application resulted in a slight yield increase in 2008 but not in 2009 and that it (biochar) did not significantly affect the plant nutritional status when evaluated during early vegetative, pollination, or mature growth stages; (2) Harvesting corn stover reduced apparent nitrogen (N) immobilization for both no-till and tilled production systems; (3) Intensive “twin-row” management resulted in a slight yield advantage in 2008 but not in 2009, possibly due to frequent cloudy weather throughout much of the growing season; and (4) Annual cover crop establishment and growth were very good following corn stover harvest and may provide an opportunity to catch residual nutrients and help sustain soil organic carbon. Laboratory analyses have been completed to assess baseline soil quality assessment. Data analysis and summarization using the Soil Quality Assessment Framework (SMAF) is progressing. Communication among all project participants and interactions between the Authorized Departmental Officer's Designated Representative (ADODR) and South Dakota State University (SDSU) were maintained through bi-weekly email, submission of written quarterly reports, and participation in the annual Sun Grant Research meeting.