Location: Agroecosystem Management Research
Project Number: 3042-11210-003-005-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement
Start Date: Feb 7, 2018
End Date: Dec 31, 2020
Objective:
The objectives of the agreement are to compile, analyze and publish research findings associated with the impact of incorporating cover crops on soil chemical, physical and biological properties, and crop performance. Specific objectives are to evaluate the impact of cover crops on trafficability and bearing strength; soil nutrient cycling; soil carbon storage; crop residue decomposition; soil biological indicators; crop yield and crop quality.
Approach:
Existing data from past experiments will be utilized to analyze the impact of cover crops on soil physical, chemical, and biological properties and crop performance. Relevant data are available from experiments conducted over multiple site years in which specific individual cover crop species and mixtures of cover crop species were established in regionally important production systems. Data will be complied, analyzed and reported in multiple manuscripts for publication in the peer-reviewed scientific literature. Research results will be transferred to the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) upon publication to provide scientific data in support of decision-making regarding cover crops and soil health.
