*Long-term effects of
tillage and crop rotation on biological dynamics, carbon sequestration and
quality of
soil
(2003-present)
Compare the long-term effects of several agronomic cropping systems with
differences in tillage, crop rotation, and cover crops on soil quality and
C sequestration.
1) Continuous tilled corn with standard fertilizer and herbicide
applications
2) Corn-soybean rotations: alternate tillage
3) Corn-soybean rotations: no-till
4) Corn-cover crop-soybean-wheat-cover crop: no-till
5) Corn-cover crop-soybean-cover crop: no-till
6) Corn-mixed cover crops-soybean-mixed cover crops: no-till
- *Soil
Quality Matters
- (2003)
- A
popular article on Soil Quality
*Cover
Crops, Composted Chicken and Dairy Manures Effect on Crop Yields and Soil
Quality in Soybean-Corn
Rotations
(2002-present)
To evaluate agronomic, soil quality, and environmental aspects of
composted chicken and lot scrapped dairy manures, and cover crops,
compared to commercial fertilizers and herbicides over a three-year
period. Demonstrate Promote use of composted chicken and dairy manures and
cover crops for grain crops, and assist farmers to develop sustainable
soil-crop management practices, which will supplement, replace, or reduce
their need for commercial fertilizers and herbicides, and sustain soil
quality.
*Development
of a simple soil quality field test for farmers
(2002-present)
To develop a rapid, reproducible, and safe method for measuring a soil C
parameter that would be a sensitive indicator of management-induced soil
quality changes. To simplify this method for use in a user-friendly kit
that farmers could use in the field. This objective required a method that
would not require elaborate equipment and would use a minimum number of
reagents, none of them highly toxic, hazardous or unstable. To evaluate
the suitability of the method for use on soils with a wide range of
properties, and assess the relationships between the measured C fraction
and soil microbial properties.
*Nitrogen
management using slow-release
fertilizers
(2002-present)
To determine N release from surface-applied Duration, high energy-N and
traditionally used urea, UAN and ammonium nitrate fertilizers. To compare
the effect of different N fertilizers on growth and yield of corn, and to
determine the effect of different N fertilizers on soil quality properties.
*Phytoextraction
of Heavy Metals with Herbaceous and Woody Plants (2002-present)
Research proposal submitted to Dept. of Energy to determine the use of
short-rotation herbaceous and woody plants with and/or without chelating
agents to clean-up contaminated sites. Phytoextraction experimental
treatments will consist of 12 combinations of six types of plants and two
doses of EDTA (0 vs. 1000 kg/ha) in a 6 x 2 split-plot setting. The EDTA
treatments will be main plots and control plants will be in sub-plots.
Each treatment combination will be replicated four times in a randomized
complete block design. The treatments are:
1. Phytoremediation with EDTA
Red Maple, Hybrid Poplar, Willows, Bermuda grass, Eastern gamma-grass, and
Kura clover
2. Phytoremediation without using EDTA
Red maple, Hybrid Poplar, Willows, Bermuda grass, Eastern gamma-grass, and
Kura clover.
*Production
and economics of Ethnic vegetable
crops
(2002-present)
To raise high-value ethnic crops, vegetables and spices (zinger, turmeric,
egg plants, luffa, decoration gourd, asparagus beans, hot chilly, Malabar
spinach, jute, sesame, lemongrass, amaranth/edible pigweeds, etc.) as
sources of alternate income for farmers at Southern Ohio.
*Tillage and Crop Rotation
Effects on Soil C
sequestration
(2002-present)
To determine the effects of long-term tillage practices and crop rotation
on nutrient stratification, sequestration and soil quality
properties.
*Carbon Sequestration Potential in Different
Soil Regions of Ohio
(2001-present)
To analyze soil core samples for determining C sequestration potential and
rates under different land-use/land cover types, and cropping and tillage
management systems.
* Drainage and Nitrogen
Management for Blueberry Production (1996-present)
Determine optimal nitrogen rates and application methods (broadcast
vs. fertigated) for both drained
and undrained, drip-irrigated blueberries. Evaluate the effectiveness of
raised beds to substitute for drainage
systems.
