Project Number: 6206-11120-003-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: May 19, 2001
End Date: May 18, 2006

Objective:
Develop effective farming systems for clay soils to improve crop production, reduce erosion, and maintain water quality; determine the effects of management and CO2 in different soils and climate zones; develop basic knowledge of soil processes in clay soils, to maintain and improve soil quality and productivity; develop functional site-specific soil and crop management techniques; and, develop soil phosphorus loading capabilities for calcareous soils that preserve water quality.

Approach:
Alternative management practices will be tested to determine effects on crop growth and yield, environmental impacts and economic viability in difficult soil and climatic conditions. Field studies will be conducted to determine the interaction of soil, climate, and management on organic C sequestration in soils. Functions will be developed for estimating management effects on soil organic C sequestration. The effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 and C sequestration will be studied. Laboratory and field studies will be conducted to determine functional relationships of soil processes and soil dynamics, with an emphasis on clay soils. Studies will be conducted to compare the effects of site-specific conservation tillage management on agricultural landscapes. Field and watershed studies will be established on calcareous soils to determine the effects of the application of animal waste on soil phosphorus loadings.

Project Team

Potter, Kenneth Richardson, Clarence Haney, Richard Harmel, Daren

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003   FY 2002   FY 2001

Related National Programs

Water Quality & Management (201)   Soil Resource Management (202)

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