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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #318141

Title: Managing global change

Author
item Torbert, Henry - Allen
item Prior, Stephen - Steve

Submitted to: International Innovation
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2015
Publication Date: 6/1/2015
Citation: Torbert III, H.A., Prior, S.A. 2015. Managing global change. International Innovation. 182: 56-58.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Researchers at the US Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service are exploring the environmental impact of agricultural waste management and rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. This interview presents an overview of work being conducted at the National Soil Dynamics Laboratory in Auburn, Alabama and highlights the importance of this work for agricultural production systems in the Southeastern US. The waste management research deals primarily with issues associated with effectively using animal manures for crop fertilization while protecting the environment from problems associated with phosphorus runoff. In regards to the well document rise in atmospheric CO2 concentration, research is oriented toward determining how cropping systems will fare in a carbon rich future and how management practice can help mitigate problems by enhancing soil carbon storage. In order to identify optimal management practices for specialty crop industries (e.g. ornamental horticulture), new research has been initiated to gather baseline information on GHG emissions and carbon storage potential of current production practices.