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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lincoln, Nebraska » Agroecosystem Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #419055
Research Project: Integrated Agricultural Systems for a Resilient Circular Bioeconomy in the Central Plains

Location: Agroecosystem Management Research

Title: Comparing soil health and fertility indicators in established long-term organic and conventional cropping systems in Eastern Nebraska

Author
item Freidenreich, Ariel
item Schmer, Marty
item Birru, Girma
item Durso, Lisa
item Jin, Virginia

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/29/2024
Publication Date: 11/13/2024
Citation: Freidenreich, A.S., Schmer, M.R., Birru, G.A., Durso, L.M., Jin, V.L. 2024. Comparing soil health and fertility indicators in established long-term organic and conventional cropping systems in Eastern Nebraska. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Interest in organic practices has become increasingly popular among grain producers in the Corn Belt with intentions to foster sustainability and enhance profitability. Organic farming relies on application of manures and other organic amendments, along with diversified crop rotations, and traditionally intensive tillage for weed control to establish optimal yield with minimal environmental impact. However, data to assess the efficacy of various organic practices is limited, in part due to the time needed for any implemented changes to take effect. To compare organic practices to conventional farming, a long-term study was established in Mead, NE to monitor the impact of four cropping systems 1) conventional rotation, corn-soybean, 2) conventional diversified rotation, corn-sorghum-soybean-wheat , 3) organic farming utilizing animal manure as fertilization, corn-soybean-wheat-soybean rotation , 4) organic farming utilizing green manure as fertilization, alfalfa-alfalfa-corn-wheat rotation, with all phases of the crop rotation present each year. Soil samples were collected from the top 0-15 cm after 27 years of treatment management (since 1996) from all plots under corn rotation in fall of 2023. Soil chemical (pH, EC, total and particulate organic matter, permanganate-oxidizable C, and nutrient concentrations) and biological properties (autoclave-extractable protein and potentially mineralizable N) were assessed. Results from this study can inform management practices for Nebraska growers looking to improve soil health and/or transition to organic farming systems.