2012 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416): Investigate balanced agricultural production practices to enhance soil carbon storage and minimize greenhouse gas emissions under corn production in humid and dry temperate climate regions. 1b.Approach (from AD-416): Incorporation of cover crops, sewage sludge, and animal manures are generally recommended to improve soil quality, reduce erosion, and provide additional sources of plant nutrients to improve crop yield and/or quality. In this study the influence of the above practices along with water and reclaimed wastewater application will be evaluated on soil carbon sequestration and emission of greenhouse gases, i.e. carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane under humid southeastern and arid Northwest agro climatic regions. Long-term impact of high rate application of manure (particularly poultry manure) on accumulation and fate of heavy metals and the bioavailability will be evaluated. 3.Progress Report: This non-funded project directly relates to sub-objective 1.A. of the in-house project, "Evaluate the impacts of harvest of C3 and C4 grass perennial biomass crops and the removal of crop residues on carbon sequestration, nutrient dynamics, and soil quality in irrigated Pacific Northwest crop rotations". Due to the prolonged multiple travel schedule of the major cooperator, the proposed plan of work was not implemented this Fiscal Year. In FY2013, the cooperator will select 2 to 3 students to gain research experience specifically along the project objectives. The students will conduct experiments in Savannah State University, and will come to Prosser (funded by the student training program of that University) during their summer break to work under the supervision of the ARS scientist in Prosser, Washington, to gain additional experience in trace gas emission studies under intense irrigated commercial production systems in the Northwest climatic conditions. This project supports our mission of cooperation with HBCU, by assisting advanced research training opportunities for African America students in Environmental sciences specialization.