The LTAR cropland common experiment at lower Chesapeake Bay

Authors: BAGLEY, GWENDOLYN - North Carolina State University; ACKROYD, VICTORIA - University Of Maryland; Cavigelli, Michel; White, Kathryn; Schomberg, Harry; LAW, EUGENE - The Ohio State University; BELJERI, KRESHNIK - University Of Delaware; HIVELY, DEAN - Us Geological Survey (USGS); Fischel, Matthew; Maul, Jude; Hapeman, Cathleen; McCarty, Gregory; Dulaney, Wayne; Timlin, Dennis; Mirsky, Steven

Submitted to: Journal of Environmental Quality
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/8/2024
Publication Date: 11/4/2024
Citation: Bagley, G., Ackroyd, V.J., Cavigelli, M.A., White, K.E., Schomberg, H.H., Law, E., Beljeri, K., Hively, D.W., Fischel, M.H., Maul, J.E., Hapeman, C.J., Mccarty, G.W., Dulaney, W.P., Timlin, D.J., Mirsky, S.B. 2024. The LTAR cropland common experiment at lower Chesapeake Bay. Journal of Environmental Quality. 53(6):814-822. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.20650.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.20650

Interpretive Summary: The Lower Chesapeake Bay (LCB) Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) Common Experiment (CE) located in Beltsville, MD, USA, focuses on research of concern to producers of the major regional crops (corn, soybean, wheat, forage crops, chickens, and dairy and beef cattle). Research at the site is driven by the need to restore Chesapeake Bay water quality while also supporting the economic viability of regional farmers, especially given ongoing development pressure from urban areas. The LCB CE compares innovative crop management practices (e.g., cover crop intensity, crop rotation diversification, and integrated weed management) with prevailing practices in its search for the optimal balance to ensure the sustainability of regional cropping systems. The LTAR LCB site provides data-driven tools and solutions to support farmers in the mid-Atlantic region.

Technical Abstract: The Lower Chesapeake Bay (LCB) Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) Common Experiment (CE) is located in Beltsville, MD, USA. The LCB CE focuses on research of concern to producers of the major regional crops, which are corn (Zea mays L.), soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and various forage species. The region is also known for livestock production, including broiler and laying chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus L.) and cattle (Bos taurus L.) for dairy and beef production. The need to restore Chesapeake Bay water quality has had a major influence on regional agricultural practices and thus the research conducted. Conservation practices such as cover cropping, no-till agriculture, and nutrient management planning are more common in the region compared to nationally. The LCB region is among the most heavily populated in the US. Development pressure is high for both farms and natural areas. Researchers at the LCB site recognize the need for farmers to stay profitable while also protecting the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays and the management challenges of implementing practices that address both needs, such as incorporating cover crops into rotations and addressing the rise of herbicide resistant weeds. The LCB CE compares innovative crop management practices (cover crop intensity, crop rotation diversification, and integrated weed management) with prevailing practices in its search for the optimal balance to ensure the sustainability of regional cropping systems. The LTAR LCB site provides data-driven tools and solutions to support farmers in the mid-Atlantic region.