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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Laboratory for Agriculture and The Environment » Soil, Water & Air Resources Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #275737

Title: Crop residues

Author
item Karlen, Douglas
item Huggins, David

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/15/2012
Publication Date: 3/5/2014
Citation: Karlen, D.L., Huggins, D.R. 2014. Crop residues. In: Karlen, D.L., editor. Cellulosic Energy Cropping Systems. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. p. 131-148.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Crop residues [e.g., corn (Zea mays) stover and small grain straw] are sometimes excluded when discussing cellulosic energy crops per se, but because of the vast area upon which they are grown and their current role in the development of cellulosic energy systems. This chapter focuses on current corn stover and wheat (Triticum aestivum) straw research designed to address concerns raised by those previous reviews and to help ensure that commercial bioenergy develops in an economically, environmentally, and socially acceptable manner. Past and current research activities are reviewed concluding that prior to initiating any harvest strategy producers should have good soil-test and nutrient management records for any areas from which crop residues may be harvested. They should also be using the least amount of tillage possible and avoid crop residue harvest from highly erosive areas. Producers should also consider adopting other conservation practices such as the inclusion of annual or perennial cover crops, buffer strips, and crop rotation in order to enhance the sustainability of their entire management system.