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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbia, Missouri » Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #254432
Title: Bio-fuel Cropping Systems Effects on Soil Quality

Author
item NATHAN, MANJULA - University Of Missouri
item Kremer, Robert
item NELSON, KELLY - University Of Missouri
item REINBOTT, TIMOTHY - University Of Missouri

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/4/2010
Publication Date: 10/31/2010
Citation: Nathan, M.V., Kremer, R.J., Nelson, K.A., Reinbott, T.M. 2010. Bio-fuel Cropping Systems Effects on Soil Quality [abstract]. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. 2010 CDROM.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Research was conducted to determine the effect of nutrient management practices on bio-fuel crop production, and to evaluate long term effects of bio-fuel crop production on selected chemical, physical and microbiological properties. Experimental plots for research on bio-fuel crops production were established in 2008 at the Bradford and Greenley Research and Extension Centers. The experimental design was an 8x3 factorial laid out in a split plot design. The main plots were eight bio-fuel cropping systems: 1) continuous corn for grain (CCG), 2) continuous corn for grain and stover removal (CCGS), 3) corn-soybean rotation for grain (CSG), 4) soybean-corn rotation for grain (SCG), 5) sweet sorghum-wheat double crop (SSW), 6) miscanthus (MIS), 7) switch grass (SWI) and 8) tall fescue (TF). Subplots received the following fertilizer treatments: 1) University of Missouri-recommended P and K with a 4-year fertility buildup program; 2) fertilizer recommendations based on annual crop removal values; and 3) control without P and K. Soil samples were collected for soil fertility analysis (pH, P, K, Ca, Mg, OM and CEC), organic and total N, wet aggregate stability, and potential C and N mineralization using selected enzyme assays. Grain yield and dry matter production and nutrient uptake measurements were made. A preliminary report on effects of bio-fuel cropping systems on soil quality will be presented.