The LTAR common experiment at platte river/high plains aquifer: cropland

Authors: Freidenreich, Ariel; Schmer, Marty; KHORCHANI, MAKKI - University Of Nebraska; Birru, Girma; Jin, Virginia; AWADA, TALA - University Of Nebraska; DRIJBER, RHAE - University Of Nebraska; SUYKER, ANDREW - University Of Nebraska; CORDOVA, CAROLINA - University Of Nebraska; SMITH, TYLER - University Of Nebraska; Kettler, Timothy; CHRISTOFFERSON, SANDRA - University Of Nebraska

Submitted to: Environmental Quality
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/3/2024
Publication Date: 10/22/2024
Citation: Freidenreich, A.S., Schmer, M.R., Khorchani, M., Birru, G.A., Jin, V.L., Awada, T., Drijber, R.A., Suyker, A., Cordova, C.S., Smith, T., Kettler, T.A., Christofferson, S. 2024. The LTAR common experiment at platte river/high plains aquifer: cropland. Environmental Quality. 2024(53):939-947. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2486.2002.00498.x.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2486.2002.00498.x

Interpretive Summary: The United States Department of Agriculture- Agriculture Research Service established the Long-Term Agroecosystem Research network in 2012. The network currently includes 18 experimental research sites across the United States to develop strategies for more sustainable and efficient agriculture systems. The Platte River High Plains Aquifer Long-Term Agroecosystem Research site, located in Nebraska, is a research partnership between USDA-ARS and University of Nebraska-Lincoln. At this site, research is conducted on both cropland and grazingland agricultural systems. This document describes the regional characteristics of the site, on-going experiments, stakeholder engagement, and future plans for the cropland experiments.

Technical Abstract: The USDA-ARS established the Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) network in 2012. The LTAR network currently includes 18 sites across the contiguous United States with the goal of improving resilience, sustainability and profitability of agroecosystems through enhancing ecosystem services and environmental quality, developing strategies for efficient agricultural production and for mitigating and adapting to climate change. The Platte River High Plains Aquifer (PR/HPA) LTAR site, located in Nebraska, is a research partnership between USDA-ARS Agroecosystem Management Research Unit (AMRU) and University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). The PR/HPA is an integrated research site encompassing both cropland and grazing land production systems. Here, we focus on the cropland common experiments located in the PR/HPA. These experiments represent prevailing regional practices in corn-soybean row crop production systems compared to alternative practices designed to enhance agroecosystem sustainability and resilience. This document describes the regional characteristics, on-going experiments, stakeholder engagement, and future plans for the PR/HPA site.