Research Project: Enhancing Cropping System and Grassland Sustainability in the Texas Gulf Coast Region by Managing Systems for Productivity and Resilience

Location: Grassland Soil and Water Research Laboratory

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

Manureshed: Spatiotemporal nutrient balance analysis across agricultural and municipal systems - (Other)
Akanbi, O.D., Mandayam, V., Gupta, A., Flynn, K.C., Yarus, J.M., Barcelos, E.I., French, R.H. 2025. Manureshed: Spatiotemporal nutrient balance analysis across agricultural and municipal systems. ARS Publication / Report. https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/manureshed/index.html.

Extent of the global grassland biome at high resolution - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Macdougall, A.S., Vanzant, B., Seabloom, E.W., Borer, E.T., Fay, P.A., Flynn, K.C., Rowley, D.W. 2026. Extent of the global grassland biome at high resolution. Science. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-025-02955-6.

Precipitation forecasting utility for proactive agroecosystem management: A case study from central Texas - (Peer Reviewed Journal)

Towards circular nutrient economies: An integrated manureshed framework for agricultural and municipal resource management - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Akanbi, O.D., Gupta, A., Mandayam, V., Flynn, K.C., Sabo, R.D., Yarus, J.M., Barcelos, E.I., French, R.H. 2025. Towards circular nutrient economies: An integrated manureshed framework for agricultural and municipal resource management. Resources Conservation and Recycling. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108697.

Impacts of dairy manure and synthetic fertilizers on greenhouse gas emissions and crop yields: A global meta-analytical comparison - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Brar, J., Baath, G., Juneja, P., Jeong, J., Krecker-Yost, J.L., Flynn, K.C., Wyatt, B.M. 2025. Impacts of dairy manure and synthetic fertilizers on greenhouse gas emissions and crop yields: A global meta-analytical comparison. Science of the Total Environment. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180836.

Carbon sequestration and phosphorus leaching in pasturelands: A decadal study on the soil health effects of grazing management - (Peer Reviewed Journal)

Grass productivity quantified through radiation use efficiency: A review - (Review Article)

Corn responses to nitrogen fertilization as influenced by cover cropping: A meta-analysis - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Juneja, P., Baath, G.S., Brar, J.S., Flynn, K.C., Krecker-Yost, J.L., Rajan, N. 2026. Corn responses to nitrogen fertilization as influenced by cover cropping: A meta-analysis. Agronomy for Sustainable Development. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-025-01067-6.

A mega-analysis of no-tillage and reduced tillage impacts on crop yields and greenhouse gas emissions - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kasrija, L., Hui, D., Ray, A., Ren, W., Wang, L., Fay, P.A., Smith, D.R., Li, J., Illukpitiya, P., Tian, H. 2025. A mega-analysis of no-tillage and reduced tillage impacts on crop yields and greenhouse gas emissions. Field Crops Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110167.

Adapting to climative extremes: Do grazing management strategies matter? - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Schantz, M.C., Smith, D.R., Adhikari, K., Osorio, L.M., Tolleson, D.R., Goodwin, J.J., Thorp, K.R., Harmel, R.D. 2025. Adapting to climative extremes: Do grazing management strategies matter?. Rangeland Ecology and Management. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2025.07.016.

Extreme precipitation risks in South Asia: Future climate change impacts on population and cropland - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wahid, S., Shahid, S., Hwang, S., Thorp, K.R., Kamruzzaman, M. 2025. Extreme precipitation risks in South Asia: Future climate change impacts on population and cropland. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology. https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.70057.

Effects of nitrogen fertilization and bioenergy crop type on spatial distributions of extracellular hydrolases associated with nitrogen and phosphorus acquisition - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Li, J., Wang, X., Jian, S., Gamage, L., Hui, D., Fay, P.A. 2025. Effects of nitrogen fertilization and bioenergy crop type on spatial distributions of extracellular hydrolases associated with nitrogen and phosphorus acquisition . Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10440-0.

Experimental warming effects on soil respiration and microbial community function in switchgrass cropland in Middle Tennessee - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Li, J., Gamage, L., Jian, S., Wang, X., Alford, J., Manu, M., Pandey, A., De Koff, J., Hui, D., Fay, P.A. 2025. Experimental warming effects on soil respiration and microbial community function in switchgrass cropland in Middle Tennessee. Global Change Biology. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.70066.

Laboratory root processing and scanning for grasslands and forages - (Other)
Grisham, C., Rowley, D.W., Schantz, M.C. 2025. Laboratory root processing and scanning for grasslands and forages. Protocols.io. https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.261ge8zxwg47/v1.

Advancements in extreme precipitation projections for South Asia: A comparative evaluation of CMIP5 and CMIP6 - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kamruzzaman, M., Wahid, S., Mainuddin, M., Chiew, F., Islam, A.T., Thorp, K.R., Shahid, S. 2025. Advancements in extreme precipitation projections for South Asia: A comparative evaluation of CMIP5 and CMIP6. Journal of Hydrology. https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.8915.

From field to analysis: Strengthening reproducibility and confirmation in research for sustainable agriculture - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
White, J.W., Boote, K.J., Kimball, B.A., Porter, C., Salmeron, M., Shelia, V., Thorp, K.R., Hoogenboom, G. 2025. From field to analysis: Strengthening reproducibility and confirmation in research for sustainable agriculture. Sustainable Agriculture. 3(27). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44264-025-00067-z.

Summary of manure handling certification programs across the United States - (Proceedings)
Meinen, R.J., Flynn, K.C., Erb, K., Krecker-Yost, J.L., Inaoka, M., Spiegal, S.A. 2025. Summary of manure handling certification programs across the United States. Symposium Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clwas.2025.100241.

Performance of johnsongrass and switchgrass from seeds and rhizome fragments in a mature switchgrass stand - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Schwinning, S., Fay, P.A., Polley, H. 2025. Performance of johnsongrass and switchgrass from seeds and rhizome fragments in a mature switchgrass stand. Plant Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-025-01505-1.

Changes in leaf economic trait relationships across a precipitation gradient are related to differential gene expression in a C4 perennial grass - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Heckman, R.A., Aspinwall, M.J., Taylor, S.H., Lowry, D.B., Khasanova, A., Bonnette, J.E., Razzaque, S., Fay, P.A., Juenger, T.E. 2025. Changes in leaf economic trait relationships across a precipitation gradient are related to differential gene expression in a C4 perennial grass. New Phytologist. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.70089.

Version 1.4.0 - pyfao56: FAO-56 evapotranspiration in Python - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Thorp, K.R., Gulati, D., Kukal, M., Ames, R.B., Pokoski, T.C., Dejonge, K.C. 2025. Version 1.4.0 - pyfao56: FAO-56 evapotranspiration in Python. SoftwareX. 30. Article 102109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.softx.2025.102109.

Prediction and mapping of soil organic carbon stock via large datasets coupled with pedotransfer functions - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Dharumarajan, S., Adhikari, K., Chakraborty, R., Kalaiselvi, B., Vasundhara, R., Lalitha, M., Hegde, R., Prakash, H., Parvathy, S., Rajesh, R.L. 2025. Prediction and mapping of soil organic carbon stock via large datasets coupled with pedotransfer functions. Earth Science Informatics. 18. Article 314. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12145-025-01822-z.

Manure handling certification programs in manuresheds across the United States - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Flynn, K.C., Erb, K., Meinen, R.J., Krecker-Yost, J.L., Inaoka, M., Spiegal, S.A. 2025. Manure handling certification programs in manuresheds across the United States. Cleaner Waste Systems. 10. Article 100241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clwas.2025.100241.

Johnsongrass: A grassland invader - (Review Article)
Schantz, M.C. 2025. Johnsongrass: A grassland invader. Weed Science. https://doi.org/10.1017/wsc.2025.7.

Advancements in remote sensing techniques for earthquake engineering: A review - (Review Article)
Hassan Krishmurthy, C., Flynn, K.C., Ashworth, A.J. 2025. Advancements in remote sensing techniques for earthquake engineering: A review. Earthquake Research Advances. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eqrea.2024.100352.

Mechanistic insights into plant community responses to environmental variables: Genome size, cellular nutrient investments, and metabolic trade-offs - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Hersch-Green, E.I., Petosky, H., Smith, N.G., Fay, P.A. 2024. Mechanistic insights into plant community responses to environmental variables: Genome size, cellular nutrient investments, and metabolic trade-offs. New Phytologist. 245(5):2336:2349. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.20374.

Enhancing LAI estimation using multispectral imagery and machine learning: A comparison between reflectance-based and vegetation indices-based approaches - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Chatterjee, S., Baath, G.S., Sapkota, B., Flynn, K.C., Smith, D.R. 2024. Enhancing LAI estimation using multispectral imagery and machine learning: A comparison between reflectance-based and vegetation indices-based approaches. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. 230. Article 109790. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2024.109790.

Simulating sagebrush-cheatgrass plant community Biomass production in the Great Basin using ALMANAC - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Schantz, M.C., Kiniry, J.R., Williams, A.S., Thorp, K.R., Hardegree, S.P., Newingham, B.A., Williams, C.J., Davies, K.W., Sheley, R.L. 2024. Simulating sagebrush-cheatgrass plant community Biomass production in the Great Basin using ALMANAC. Ecosphere. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21440.

Phenotyping cotton leaf chlorophyll via in situ hyperspectral reflectance sensing, spectral vegetation indices, and machine learning - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Thorp, K.R., Thompson, A.L., Herritt, M.T. 2024. Phenotyping cotton leaf chlorophyll via in situ hyperspectral reflectance sensing, spectral vegetation indices, and machine learning. Frontiers in Plant Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2024.1495593.

vegspec: A compilation of spectral vegetation indices and transformations in Python - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Thorp, K.R. 2024. vegspec: A compilation of spectral vegetation indices and transformations in Python. SoftwareX. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.softx.2024.101928.

LiDAR-based estimation of corn (Zea Mays L.) plant height and leaf area index across multiple planting dates - (Abstract Only)

Greenhouse gas emissions from corn fields as influenced by cover crop management - (Abstract Only)

A meta-analysis to understand the combined effect of cover cropping and nitrogen fertilization on corn yield in the U.S. - (Abstract Only)

Enhancing leaf area index estimation with multispectral imagery and machine learning - (Abstract Only)

Early seedling counts: Enhancing producer confidence - (Abstract Only)

Optimizing corn yield through strategic nitrogen application - (Abstract Only)

From reflectance to yield: Understanding corn production metrics - (Abstract Only)

When soil carbon isn’t everything: Impact of regenerative practices on soil health metrics in the semi-arid west - (Abstract Only)

Corn yield response and water use efficiency following cover crop management in rainfed corn production system - (Abstract Only)

Advancements in remote sensing techniques for earthquake engineering: A review - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Macdougall, A., Esch, E., Chen, Q., Carroll, O., Bonner, C., Ohlert, T., Siewart, M., Sulik, J., Schweiger, A., Borer, E., Naidu, D., Bagchi, S., Hautier, Y., Wilfahrt, P., Larson, K., Olofsson, J., Cleland, E., Muthukrishnan, R., O'Halloran, L., Alberti, J., Anderson, T., Arnillas, C.A., Bakker, J.D., Barrio, I.C., Biederman, L., Boughton, E.H., Brudvig, L., Bruschetti, M., Buckley, Y., Bugalho, M.N., Cadotte, M.W., Caldeira, M.C., Catford, J.A., D'Antonio, C., Davies, K., Daleo, P., Dickman, C.R., Donohue, I., Dupre, M., Elgersma, K., Eisenhauer, N., Eskelinen, A., Estrada, C., Fay, P.A., Feng, Y., Gruner, D.S., Hagenah, N., Haider, S., Harpole, S., Hersch-Green, E., Jentsch, A., Kirkman, K., Knops, J.M., Laanisto, L., Lannes, L.S., Laungani, R., Lkhagva, A., Macek, P., Martina, J.P., Mcculley, R.L., Melbourne, B., Mitchell, R., Moore, J.L., Morgan, J.W., Niu, Y.O., Partel, M., Peri, P.L., Power, S.A., Price, J.N., Prober, S.M., Ren, Z., Risch, A.C., Smith, N., Sonnier, G., Standish, R.J., Stevens, C.J., Tedder, M., Tognetti, P., Veen, C.G., Virtanen, R., Wardle, G.M., Waring, E., Wolf, A.A., Yahdjian, L., Seabloom, E. 2024. Advancements in remote sensing techniques for earthquake engineering: A review. Earthquake Research Advances. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-024-02500-x.

The LTAR cropland common experiment at the Texas Gulf - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Yost, J.L., Smith, D.R., Adhikari, K., Arnold, J.G., Collins, H.P., Flynn, K.C., Hajda, C.B., Menefee, D.S., Mohanty, B.P., Schantz, M.C., Thorp, K.R., White, M.J. 2024. The LTAR cropland common experiment at the Texas Gulf. Journal of Environmental Quality. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.20592.

Evaluating the role of alternative grazing strategies on plant production and soil health across a decade timescale - (Abstract Only)

The LTAR-integrated grazing land common experiment at the Texas Gulf - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Schantz, M.C., Smith, D.R., Harmel, R.D., Goodwin, D.J., Tolleson, D.R., Osorio Leyton, J.M., Flynn, K.C., Krecker-Yost, J.L., Thorp, K.R., Arnold, J.G., White, M.J., Adhikari, K., Hajda, C.B. 2024. The LTAR-integrated grazing land common experiment at the Texas Gulf. Journal of Environmental Quality. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.20573.

Evaluating the role of grazing strategies on plant production and soil health across a decade timescale - (Abstract Only)

Version 1.3.0 - pyfao56: FAO-56 evapotranspiration in Python - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Thorp, K.R., DeJonge, K.C., Pokoski, T., Gulati, D., Kukal, M., Farag, F., Hashem, A., Erismann, G., Baumgartner, T., Holzkaemper, A. 2024. Version 1.3.0 - pyfao56: FAO-56 evapotranspiration in Python. SoftwareX. 26. Article 101724. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.softx.2024.101724.

Monitoring cotton water status with microtensiometers - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Christensen, C.G., Gohardoust, M.R., Calleja, S., Thorp, K.R., Tuller, M., Pauli, D. 2024. Monitoring cotton water status with microtensiometers. Irrigation Science. 42:995-1011. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-024-00930-w.

Creating a producer toolbox for in-field soil health assessment in southern Idaho: Active carbon - (Abstract Only)

When soil carbon isn’t everything: Impact of regenerative practices on soil health metrics in the semi-Arid west - (Abstract Only)

Understanding within-field variation in Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) using proximal sensing, field observations, and machine learning - (Abstract Only)

Evaluating intra-field spatial variability for nutrient management zone delineation through geospatial techniques and multivariate analysis - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Salem, H.M., Schott, L.R., Piaskowski, J., Chapagain, A., Yost, J.L., Brooks, E., Johnson-Maynard, J. 2024. Evaluating intra-field spatial variability for nutrient management zone delineation through geospatial techniques and multivariate analysis. Sustainability. 16(2). Article 645. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020645.

Understanding the role of active carbon in sugarbeet cropping systems - (Trade Journal)
Schott, L.R., Agin, A., Olsen, D., Krecker-Yost, J.L. 2024. Understanding the Role of Active Carbon in Sugarbeet Cropping Systems. The Sugarbeet. 24-26.

Forecasting plant production across Great Basin rangelands - (Abstract Only)

Forecasting rangeland plant production by ecological sites; are they better than forecasts by geographical location - (Abstract Only)