Project Number: 3625-12000-011-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Aug 08, 2001
End Date: Aug 07, 2006

Objective:
(1) Determine how soil management practices affect sensitivity and response of various soil quality indicators; (2) Improve N and P use efficiency through use of appropriate soil quality indicators; (3) Describe persistence, bioavailability and transport of organic chemicals relative to soil quality assessments; (4) Develop soil quality assessment methodology for field, watershed, and regional scales.

Approach:
The most appropriate and sensitive soil quality indicators for quantifying inherent and dynamic soil quality will be identified and evaluated against environmental, productivity, and social goals for various land management practices at the field, farm, watershed, and regional scale. Effects of landscape or topographical position, tillage, crop sequence, and overall soil and crop management will be determined using replicated plot-, field-, and watershed-scale designs, climate controlled rhizotron chambers, and computer simulation models. Landscape and soil management effects at fieldand watershed-scales will be quantified within farmer-managed fields and small watersheds. Anticipated products will include a soil quality assessment framework or index that will provide a much-needed tool for more sustainable land use and soil management decisions.

Project Team

Karlen, Douglas - Doug Olk, Daniel Hatfield, Jerry Kovar, John Cambardella, Cynthia - Cindy

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003   FY 2002