Progress 06/24/08 to 09/30/11
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) 1: Determine the agricultural goods (e.g., crops, biomass), and ecosystem services (e.g., habitat) derived at field, farm, and landscape scales. (1.A) Determine the production potential of agricultural specialty crops as components of integrated whole-farm production systems. (1.A.3) Compare annual crops, perennial grasses, and short-rotation woody crops as biofuel feedstocks. 2: Develop strategies to integrate trees and grazing livestock into existing grasslands, and grasses and grazing livestock into forest stands. (2.C) Determine the impacts of trees, forage shade tolerance, fertilization, and management on silvopasture performance. (2.C.2) Determine the effects of N fertilization and recovery on integrated softwood-forage silvopastures. (2.C.3) Determine the effects of shallow seedbed disking on understory forage production, and on loblolly pine growth and needle production. (2.C.4) Determine the effect of tree spacing on wood fiber production when loblolly pine is integrated into grassland. 3: Develop conservation practices to manage the fate and transport of sediments, nutrients, antibiotics, and pathogens from agricultural inputs including synthetic fertilizer, herbicides, grazing livestock manure, and applied poultry manure. (3.A) Create a comprehensive understanding of source and amelioration of contaminant transport. (3.A.1) Quantify the effectiveness of agroforestry and grass buffers on phosphorus, nitrogen, herbicides, veterinary antibiotics, pathogens, and trace metals in runoff. Approach (from AD-416) Tree stocking density, alley spacing, fertilization, and shallow tillage will be evaluated to determine effects on forage, pine straw, wood fiber, and nitrogen recovery. Effects of trees and buffers on run-off and subsurface water quality and volume will be evaluated as a means to reduce off-site environmental impacts. Management practices will be evaluated that optimize the proportion of a landscape/farm in temperate pastures and silvopastures to maximize environmental and economic returns. Diverse bioenergy feedstocks will be examined across a latitudinal gradient for cold tolerance, nutritive value, and yield as a means to enhance integration and economic returns for farms in the mid-South. This is the final report for project 6227-21660-001-00D. A long-term experiment is being conducted to measure the impact of rotational grazing schemes and buffers on quality of runoff water. Runoff volumes were not significantly different for the hay treatment and the treatment combining rotational grazing and a tree buffer zone. Runoff volumes increased significantly for the continuously and rotationally grazed treatments. Differences in runoff volumes were not related to soil bulk density values in the grazed or hay portion of the plots. About 100 genotypes of sugarcane (energy cane) survived at least one winter at Booneville. Nearly half of these are being tested for disease prior to being exported and incorporated into the breeding program in Louisiana. Use of cold- tolerant germplasm should benefit variety development for Louisiana sugarcane producers, and might also encourage the expansion of energy cane north of its current production regions. Some forages may decrease internal parasites of goats, so we are investigating the establishment of bristly locust, a native tree legume that has received relatively little scientific attention from an agronomic perspective. Trees were established in an experimental goat silvopasture using emulating methods that might be used by a small-scale organic goat producer, i.e., no chemical weed suppression. Further research is needed on its nutritive value and sustainability when used as goat browse. Since fertilization of overstocked pine stands has questionable economic value due to poor N utilization and adverse environmental impacts, we investigated short-term (3-year) soil responses of an emulated loblolly pine silvopasture that received a single application of commercial N-P-K fertilizer or pelletized poultry litter applied at about mid-rotation (12-14 years post- planting). Results should further our understanding of the nutrient dynamics during alley cropping of an upland soil, and demonstrate the challenge in detecting short-term responses with fertilization. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations Center scientists collaborate on a NIFA grant to provide beginning farmer training for minority, historically underserved operators/stakeholders, but training has not yet begun at the Center. The Center continued research on sorghum and energy cane research, and is planning larger scale plantings of short rotation woody crops, loblolly pine, and giant miscanthus as it awaits directed funding as one of five selected ARS Regional Bioenergy Feedstock Centers. Accomplishments 01 Pine hybrids can broaden the production range for the agroforestry industry. Expanding the agroforestry industry requires more research- based information on the best varieties for specific growing conditions. ARS researchers at the Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center, Booneville, AR, evaluated pitch pine and loblolly pine hybrid derivative to determine how performance measures compared. They found that lobloll pine outperformed a pitch x loblolly pine hybrid derivative in survival, height, diameter growth, and number of superior individuals at 7-years post-planting in Arkansas. The long-term advantage of the hybrid might become more evident with ice-loading, indicating enhanced cold tolerance and use in more northern production regions. Since both species are commercially available, this information will be useful to management professionals and landowners for agroforestry or forestry uses. 02 Nitrogen fertilizer may not be effective in silvopasture production regimes. Large areas of the southern US have the potential to be used f silvopasture, where joint production of grass, trees, and livestock coul result in increasing small farm profitability. However, research is needed on the complexities of silvopasture land management. Scientists a ARS-Booneville and ARS-El Reno collaborated on measuring plant growth responses in an overstocked pine stand following a single application of either commercial fertilizer or pelletized poultry litter. Tree competition limited growth of grass and trees, resulting in poor respons to nitrogen fertilizer. Nitrogen fertilizers should be used sparingly i similarly overstocked pine stands. Results of this study will be useful landowners and professional land managers in assessing proper timing for nitrogen applications.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Burner, D.M., Pote, D.H., Mackown, C.T., Dickens, E. 2010. Growth and soil nutrient responses to stocking rate and nitrogen source for mid-rotation loblolly pine in west-central Arkansas. Open Forest Science Journal. 3:9- 16.
- Burner, D.M., Dwyer, J., Godsey, L. 2011. Stocking rate-mediated responses of mid-rotation loblolly pine in west-central Arkansas: Growth. Agroforestry Systems. 81:287-293.
- D.K. Brauer, D.E. Brauer, A. Ares, A.L. Thomas, D. Burner and J. Idassi. Effects of seedling type on the establishment, growth and precocity of eastern black walnuts (Julgans nigra L.) for nut production. 2009. The Open Forest Sci J. 3: 1-8.
- Belesky, D.P., Burner, D.M., Ruckle, J.M. 2011. Tiller production in cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) growing along a light gradient. Grass and Forage Science. 66(3):370-380.
- Ge, X., Burner, D.M., Xu, J., Phillips, G.C., Sivakumar, G. 2011. Bioethanol production from dedicated energy crops and residues in Arkansas, USA. Plant Biotechnology Journal. 6:66-73.
- Kornecki, T.S., Price, A.J., Raper, R.L., Bergtold, J.S. 2010. Effectiveness of Different Herbicide Applicators Mounted on a Roller/Crimper for Accelerated Rye Cover Crop Termination. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 25:819-826.
- Reddy, S.S., Nyakatawa, E.Z., Reddy, K.C., Raper, R.L., Reeves, D.W., Lemunyon, J.L. 2009. Long-term effects of poultry litter and conservation tillage on crop yields and soil phosphorus in cotton-cotton-corn rotation. Field Crops Research. 114:311-319.
- Balkcom, K.S., Price, A.J., Van Santen, E., Delaney, D.P., Boykin, D.L., Arriaga, F.J., Bergtold, J.S., Kornecki, T.S., Raper, R.L. 2010. Row Spacing, Tillage System, and Herbicide Technology Affects Cotton Plant Growth and Yield. Field Crops Research. 117:219-225.
- Suman, A., Pan, Y.-B., Thongthawee, S., Burner, D.M., Kimbeng, C.A. 2011. Genetic analysis of the sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) cultivar LCP 85-384. I. linkage mapping using AFLP, SSR, and TRAP markers. Theoretical and Applied Genetics. 123(1):77-93.
- White, W.H., Cobill, R.M., Tew, T.L., Burner, D.M., Grisham, M.P., Dufrene Jr, E.O., Pan, Y.-B., Richard Jr, E.P., Legendre, B.L. 2011. Registration of �Ho 00-961� Sugarcane. Journal of Plant Registrations. 5(3):332-338.
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) 1: Determine the agricultural goods (e.g., crops, biomass), and ecosystem services (e.g., habitat) derived at field, farm, and landscape scales. (1.A) Determine the production potential of agricultural specialty crops as components of integrated whole-farm production systems. (1.B) Evaluate the ecosystem service effects on wildlife and insect population dynamics of altering plant biodiversity through agroforestry practices. 2: Develop strategies to integrate trees and grazing livestock into existing grasslands, and grasses and grazing livestock into forest stands. (2.A) Evaluate the effects of integrating trees and livestock into grasslands. (2.B) Evaluate the effects of integrating forages and livestock into hardwood and softwood stands. (2.C) Determine the impacts of trees, forage shade tolerance, fertilization, and management on silvopasture performance. 3: Develop conservation practices to manage the fate and transport of sediments, nutrients, antibiotics, and pathogens from agricultural inputs including synthetic fertilizer, herbicides, grazing livestock manure, and applied poultry manure. (3.A) Create a comprehensive understanding of source and amelioration of contaminant transport. (3.B) Quantify the environmental benefits of scaling up tree/grass buffer practices on the control of non-point source pollutants. (3.C) Develop criteria to target critical areas for agroforestry and grass buffer placement to reduce contaminant transport in streams. 4: Develop optimal strategies integrating economic agricultural production and natural resource stewardship for diverse landscape positions (e.g., grasslands, woodlands, uplands, lowlands, riparian areas) across the Lower Midwest and South Central regions. (4.A) Estimate market values, non-market benefits, and socioeconomic incentives of integrated whole-farm production systems. (4.B) Create decision-support tools that integrate knowledge gained from all studies to assist multi-level decision makers, from the family farmer to the policy maker. Approach (from AD-416) Tree stocking density, alley spacing, fertilization, and shallow tillage will be evaluated to determine effects on forage, pine straw, wood fiber, and nitrogen recovery. Effects of trees and buffers on run-off and subsurface water quality and volume will be evaluated as a means to reduce off-site environmental impacts. Management practices will be evaluated that optimize the proportion of a landscape/farm in temperate pastures and silvopastures to maximize environmental and economic returns. Diverse bioenergy feedstocks will be examined across a latitudinal gradient for cold tolerance, nutritive value, and yield as a means to enhance integration and economic returns for farms in the mid-South. We completed a study on Eastern black walnut planting material for improved establishment and nut production. Results suggested that landowners seeking to establish black walnut plantings for nut production should consider using container stock of grafted cultivars selected for improved nut quality. We completed a study on potential sources of shade tolerance in tall fescue, and identified 11 genotypes worthy of further field verification. Results will be useful to plant breeders and agronomists in the development of improved cultivars. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations DBSFRC partnered with ARS laboratories at Lane, OK; Booneville, AR; and Fayetteville, AR, to develop and staff an exhibit for the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Conference and Gala Dinner in El Reno, OK. The Conference was attended by over 200 persons, the majority being small- to mid-sized farmers, institutional food professionals, and extension or outreach specialists (July 2010). The Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center constructed and staffed an informational exhibit at the Sixth Annual Tennessee Small Farm Expo and Small Farmer Recognition Program in McMinnville, TN, at the Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center on July 15, 2010. The expo was hosted by Tennessee State University and was attended by farmers, students, representatives from federal and state agencies, and by university faculty. Accomplishments 01 Planting stock affects walnut establishment. Scientists from ARS Booneville collaborated with university scientists to determine the type of planting material that can assure successful establishment of black walnut for nut production. Poor seedlings have an initial cost that is lost revenue as well as a long-term cost by occupying land with limited production. One completed study showed that bare root seedlings grew les during the first year after planting compared to container stock, but there were no differences in annual growth increment during the next thr years. Another completed study showed that 72 to 87% of the grafted cultivars flowered during the first four years compared to a maximum of 30% for open-pollinated seedlings. These results are useful to scientist and landowners by indicating that black walnut plantings for nut production should use container stock of grafted cultivars selected for improved nut quality. 02 Mimosa responds to phosphorus fertilization on a highly weathered soil. Scientists from ARS Booneville studied effects of phosphorus (P) fertilization and irrigation on survival and growth of mimosa, a nitroge fixing tree species being tested for livestock fodder in the south-centr USA. Results indicated that P fertilization and irrigation increased tot aboveground biomass and survival, but severe growth limitations do exist for mimosa on a highly weathered soil. Due to the overall cost of irrigation, producers would be more apt to use P (near the plant base) t increase mimosa growth. Results will be particularly useful for scientis and landowners who use this species for woody livestock browse.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Brauer, D.K., Pearson, H., Burner, D.M. 2009. Management factors affecting the establishment of pine based silvopastures in southern grasslands in the United States. The Open Forest Science Journal. 2:1-8.
- Burner, D.M., West, C.P. 2010. Improving tall fescue shade tolerance: Identifying candidate genotypes. Agroforestry Systems. 79(1):39-45.
- Burner, D.M., Dwyer, J., Godsey, L. 2010. Stocking rate-mediated responses of mid-rotation loblolly pine in west-central Arkansas: Profitability. Agroforestry Systems. DOI: 10.1007/s10457-010-9325-8, 1-7.
- Sivakumar, G., Vail, D.R., Xu, J., Burner, D.M., O Lay, J., Ge, X., Weathers, P.J. 2010. Bioethanol and biodiesel: Alternative fuels for future generations. Engineering in Life Sciences. 19(1):8-18.
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Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) 1: Determine the agricultural goods (e.g., crops, biomass), and ecosystem services (e.g., habitat) derived at field, farm, and landscape scales. (1.A) Determine the production potential of agricultural specialty crops as components of integrated whole-farm production systems. (1.B) Evaluate the ecosystem service effects on wildlife and insect population dynamics of altering plant biodiversity through agroforestry practices. 2: Develop strategies to integrate trees and grazing livestock into existing grasslands, and grasses and grazing livestock into forest stands. (2.A) Evaluate the effects of integrating trees and livestock into grasslands. (2.B) Evaluate the effects of integrating forages and livestock into hardwood and softwood stands. (2.C) Determine the impacts of trees, forage shade tolerance, fertilization, and management on silvopasture performance. 3: Develop conservation practices to manage the fate and transport of sediments, nutrients, antibiotics, and pathogens from agricultural inputs including synthetic fertilizer, herbicides, grazing livestock manure, and applied poultry manure. (3.A) Create a comprehensive understanding of source and amelioration of contaminant transport. (3.B) Quantify the environmental benefits of scaling up tree/grass buffer practices on the control of non-point source pollutants. (3.C) Develop criteria to target critical areas for agroforestry and grass buffer placement to reduce contaminant transport in streams. 4: Develop optimal strategies integrating economic agricultural production and natural resource stewardship for diverse landscape positions (e.g., grasslands, woodlands, uplands, lowlands, riparian areas) across the Lower Midwest and South Central regions. (4.A) Estimate market values, non-market benefits, and socioeconomic incentives of integrated whole-farm production systems. (4.B) Create decision-support tools that integrate knowledge gained from all studies to assist multi-level decision makers, from the family farmer to the policy maker. Approach (from AD-416) Experiments on the effects of tree spacing and orientation on forage production in hardwood and pine stands will be conducted to determine configurations for maximum forage and wood production. Forage species and varieties that persist under shade will be identified. Black walnut, chestnut, and pecan genotypes will be evaluated for nut and wood production. Management practices to optimize gourmet mushroom and other specialty crops in forest farming practices will be evaluated. Ability of trees and buffers to reduce off-site environmental impacts will be assessed in field experiments to determine impact of trees run-off and subsurface water quality and volume. Efforts of this research will contribute to GRACEnet by assessing the impact of agroforestry practices in soil C sequestration and plant C accumulation in the tree component. Management practices will be evaluated that optimize the proportion of a landscape/farm in temperate pastures and silvopastures to maximize environmental and economic returns. Potential bioenergy feedstocks will be examined for their suitability to integration in mid-South pasture and silvopasture systems. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations ARS scientists at Booneville studied a series of loblolly pine plantations that differed in suitability for pine straw or alley cropping. Trees were overstocked which constrained diameter growth. Plantations with 7.3- and 12.2 m-wide alleys in two- and four-row configurations might be useful for alley cropping or silvopasture, and the four-row configuration is being used for forage production. Results will be useful to producers and land managers involved with agroforestry and forestry practices. ARS scientists at Booneville screened seven plant introductions of European origin (234718, 234720, 234882, 234884, 235018, 235019, 235036) and one cultivar (Kentucky 31) for yield and shade-tolerance to identify genotypes with high dry mass yield during April to September. Eleven genotypes in the top quartile (yield > 33.0 g/plant) were selected for further testing as shade-tolerant germplasm. All genotypes were endophyte-infected. Further testing is needed to measure heritability of yield in shaded, water-deficit conditions of a tree understory. Results will be useful to plant breeders and agronomists in the development of improved cultivars. ARS scientists at Booneville studied potential sources of energy cane germplasm, and identified those that either possessed, or lacked, stubble cold tolerance. Saccharum x Miscanthus hybrids exhibited stubble cold tolerance, unlike Saccharum x Saccharum spontaneum hybrids. Switchgrass produced more stems/m2 than the other entries both years, and there was little difference in stem number among other entries. Clone US84-1028 yielded more dry mass/m2 than other entries in plant cane, while switchgrass, US84-1028, and Miscanthus x giganteus did not differ in first stubble. The competitively high stubble cold tolerance and biomass yield of this small sample of sugarcane alleles should encourage the expansion of the crop beyond its current production regions. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations Participated in an educational and training program for sustainable small acreage farming and agroforestry in Arkansas and the South. Led by Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, Petit Jean Mountain, Morrilton, AR (17-18 February 2009). Co-PI on two bioenergy grant proposals submitted by researcher at Arkansas State University.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Burner, D.M., Pote, D.H., Belesky, D.P. 2009. Effect of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) root pruning on alley cropped herbage production and tree growth. Agronomy Journal. 101(1):184-192.
- Ares, A., Burner, D.M., Brauer, D.K. 2009. Soil phosphorus and water effects on growth, nutrient and carbohydrate concentrations, d13C, and nodulation of Albizia julibrissin on a highly-weathered soil. Agroforestry Systems. 76(2):317-325.
- Burner, D.M., Tew, T.L., Harvey, J.J., Belesky, D.P. 2009. Dry matter partitioning and quality of Miscanthus, Panicum, and Saccharum genotypes in Arkansas, USA. Biomass and Bioenergy. 33(4):610-619.
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