Progress 08/01/17 to 05/21/19
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences The target audience includes farmers, livestock producers, landowners, extension personnel, researchers, agronomists, USDA/NRCS soil conservationists, and soil scientists who will benefit by gaining awareness of building soil health to improve long-term productivity. Quantification of improvements in soil health will aid policy makers in creating incentives for producing crops more sustainably in South Dakota and the region. Efforts Part of my tasks as Soil Management Scientist at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm is to assist in farm tours that occur periodically during the summer. Additionally, I was involved in the preparation and organization of the annual field day (6/28/2018) at the farm and gave a presentation on managing for soil health. Attendees of the farm tours and field day included farmers from South Dakota (≈50), SD Extension specialists (≈15), Extension educators from other states (≈20), NRCS soil and water conservationists (100-200), seedsmen (≈10), and farmers and scientist from different states (Midwest) and countries (i.e. Argentina, South Africa). I gave five presentations on Soil Health and Soil Biology in workshops held by South Dakota State University Extension in Pierre, Roslyn, and Hartford. I'm also involved with the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition Board providing my expertise. The collation aids farmers in connecting and communicating with other agriculture producers about their curiosities or challenges with implementing soil health management practices. Training workshops (5) on implementing soil health management practices were held across South Dakota. Presentations ranged from one to two hours, and data collected from Dakota Lakes Research Farm and existing literature were used to create hand-outs for attendees. On-field soil health assessments were taken where farmers, Extension specialists, NRCS soil and water conservationists from Pierre, Rosyln, Ree Heights, Huron, Harford and surrounding areas attended. Changes/Problems:The PI has resigned his position at SDSU. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? I will transition my graduate advising load of 2 active MS students to other professors at SDSU. The students will conduct research projects, present at professional meetings, and prepare scientific manuscripts from their projects. Graduate students will work on research objectives 3 to 6. Main advisor to Asmita Gautam, MS started in January 2018. Main advisor to Sam Ireland, MS start date of May 2019. Committee member in Navdeep Singh, PhD started in 2017. 2. Graduate students will have hands on experience in setting up experiment designs; measuring soil physical, chemical, and biological properties; and using statistical procedures to interpret their results. 3. Co-advise 1 MS students, serve on one (1) PhD committee and serve as a Departmental Adjunct Faculty member in Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?For farmers in South Dakota to improve sustainability and productivity on their land in the long-term, attention must be given on how soils can be managed to: (i) mitigate the effects of changing climate conditions (i.e. improve soil structure to increase water conservation); (ii) produce more with less land and rising input costs (i.e. fertilizers and fuel); and, (iii) adapt soil conservation practices to reduce further degradation of soil health. Research at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm is assessing management practices that are derived from ecological principles (mimicking nature) which places heavy emphasis on developing a healthy and biologically active soil ecology and uses cultural practices (rotation, sanitation, competition, little soil disturbance) as the primary method of pest control. The overall goal of this research is for farmers in South Dakota to adopt these management practices into their farms. In 2018, approximately 120 famers, 15 South Dakota Extension specialists, 20 Extension educators, 100-200 NRCS and USDA-ARS soil and water conservationists, and 10 seedsman visited the Dakota Lakes Research Farm to learn how to build soil health to improve productivity in the long-term. Additionally, 5 workshops on soil health and soil biology across the state have been averaging 15 to 50 participants per event. Soil health assessment field demonstrations have been given to USDA/NRCS soil conservationists (10) in 3 separate events in South Dakota. Currently, results from this project are still being collected and critically analyzed before dissemination to communities of interest. Collaborations with the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition, the South Dakota Pulse Growers, and the South Dakota No-till Association are ongoing to aid in dissemination of results to their members. Findings will also be published in refereed journals (anticipate 2 to 4 per year), and in more widely circulated periodicals read by farmers and the agricultural community. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Objective 1. Establish an analytical lab at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm to measure soil health. I will transition responsibilities to staff at Dakota Lakes Research Farm. This includes maintaining and recalibrating lab instruments. We will continue to update (when necessary) lab safety protocols, training, chemical storage and disposal documentation. We will train new graduate students and technicians who use the lab. We will continue development of lab and field procedures on how to collect, prepare, and analyze soil samples for physical, chemical, and biological metrics. This data will be complied for dissemination to soil scientists, graduate students, agronomists, Extension researchers, and government agencies (i.e. NRCS). Objective 2. Work with and provide farmers, agronomist, extension researchers, and government agencies with the data and resources to monitor and manage soil health. I will transition responsibilities to staff at Dakota Lakes Research Farm and continue to support NRCS personnel in Pierre to finalize "Standard Indicators and Laboratory Procedures to Assess Soil Health" publication. We will continue to assess soil health in 15-20 sites across the state from recently award grants. We will work with and train NRCS personnel in this project to assess soil health. We will host soil health workshops in the summer of 2019. As feedback from attendees was acquired from previous work shops, presentations and training materials will be modified to meet the needs of soil scientists, agronomists, graduate students, extension researchers, and government agencies (i.e. NRCS). Objective 3. Conduct ecosystem C budgets under different soil management practices and its impacts on soil health and productivity. I will transition responsibilities to staff at Dakota Lakes Research Farm. Grant(s) will be submitted to start a new project evaluating management practices to increase soil organic carbon and its impacts on soil health and productivity. Objective 4. Assess soil microbial properties under different management practices and its impacts on soil health and productivity. I will transition responsibilities to staff at Dakota Lakes Research Farm and continue to monitor for P from water runoff and leaching after fertilization, and conduct water analyses. Soil and plant samples after the second year of treatments will be completed after wheat harvest (Mid-July). AMF (mycorrizal fungi) activity and soil biological samples will be collected during the summer during peak root growth. Installation of lysimeters will be done late this fall and water samples will be collected though the year. All field and lab analyses will be completed by the end of November. A summary report will be completed by end of December 2019. We will present second year findings at the Soil Science Society of America Annual meetings. Grant(s) will be submitted to expand this project state wide. Project protocols, procedures, summary annual reports, and 2017-2018 data will be available at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm analytical lab. Findings from this project can be used as leverage for renewal of grant in 2019-2020. Objective 5. Linking intensification of cropping systems with soil health and productivity. I will transition responsibilities to staff at Dakota Lakes Research Farm. Data from field experiments and demonstration sites on soil health from objectives 2 to 6 will be used. The Risk Calculator at SDSU'S Extension and Iowa State University Extension's Ag Decision Maker will provide content to help producers better understand the costs of implementing soil health management practices. Objective 6. Increase water use efficiency and water holding capacity in cropping systems. I will transition responsibilities to Dr. Dwayne Beck at Dakota Lakes Research Farm. We will start a new cover crop project evaluating management practices that increase water use efficiency in the semi-arid region of South Dakota. We will begin development of a cover crop moisture decision tool that will utilize all soil moisture data collected during the first two years and will incorporate data taken in the third. Measurements of soil health parameters including soil structure (aggregate stability), bulk density, infiltration, phospholipid fatty acids (measure of biological activity) and soil carbon content will be made. We will develop fact sheets about water management options with cover crops, made available on iGrow.org. Results will be presented at public field days such as Dakotafest, AgPhD field day as well as field tours during field days at Dakota Lakes Research Farm and Southeast Research Farm. A water and cover crop field day will demonstrate the decision making tool. A participant survey will be distributed to gain feedback and assess knowledge gain and behavior change.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1:(100% Accomplished) The analytical laboratory provides equipment and space to conduct soil health measurements, as well as being the headquarters for interpretation of results and making recommendations for management changes to improve soil health. Lab construction (installing new walls, floor, wiring, cabinets, counter desks, etc...) began in May of 2017 and was completed in May of 2018. Lab instruments and equipment for soil preparation, storage, and basic soil physical measurements have been acquired. Lab instruments and supplies for measuring chemical and biological properties were acquired, and lab safety protocols, training, chemical storage and disposal documentation were completed. Lab and field procedures on how to collect, prepare, and analyze soil samples for physical, chemical, and biological metrics have been compiled for dissemination to soil scientist, graduate students, agronomist, Extension researchers, and government agencies (i.e. NRCS). Objective 2: (100% Accomplished) Soil scientists, agronomists, graduate students, extension researchers, and government agencies (i.e. NRCS) need quantitative information and technical tools for assessing and improving soil health that can be straightforwardly incorporated into farm management practices. The Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF) scoring function analyses is being calibrated for South Dakota Soils, and guides for sampling, field measurements, and interpretation are being develop to assess soil health. Collaborations with farmers in the South Dakota Soil Health Collation, as well as regional soil scientists from NRCS and USDA-ARS, have begun to monitor changes in soil health with intensification of cropping systems (2 sites near Pierre Area), no-tillage systems (12 sites in Upper Missouri River Basin), incorporation of livestock (2 sites, Pierre and Gettysburg), wild fires (3 sites, Pierre, Onida, and Okobojo), and cover crops (2 sites, Pierre and Beresford). Additionally, the PI has collaborated with NRCS personnel in Pierre to develop a "Standard Indicators and Laboratory Procedures to Assess Soil Health" publication that was released for public review in September of 2018. This consisted of sharing procedures from objective 1 and going out to fields for training on soil health measurements (3 sites: Dakota Lakes Research Farm, Huron and near Ree Heights). SMAF training had been completed for one graduate student, and training materials as well as the SMAF protocols and procedures will be available at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm analytical lab. Objective 3: (100% Accomplished) Determining if current cropping systems are a sink or source of carbon and greenhouse gas emissions requires accurate measurements of the ecosystem carbon budget (ECB). This requires taking weekly measurements of microbial respiration (C losses) during the growing season, and bi-weekly during cooler temperatures. End of year plant biomass samples are also collected to measure C input. ECB measurements in fields (at Dakota Lakes) varying by cropping intensity began in January and were completed in end of 2018. Results were presented at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm Annual Meeting in February 2019. Findings from this project can be used as leverage for future grants to assess soil carbon dynamics. Ecosystem C budgets protocols, procedures, and 2018 data will be available at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm analytical lab. Objective 4: (80% Accomplished) Reduced soil disturbance (i.e. no-tillage) and greater diversity in cropping systems are expected to create a more favorable environment for mycorrhizae fungi (AMF) and other soil microorganisms, thus improving nutrient cycling and acquisition. It is hypothesized that soils having more diverse microbial communities are better adapted to stresses such as drought and low nutrient levels (i.e. P and N) compared to soils with poor microbial communities typically observed in highly disturbed agroecosystems with high external P and N inputs. A project assessing the impact of P soil test level differences on crop response, P leaching, and P runoff under long term no-till management at the Dakota Lakes Research farm was established in fall of 2017. The site was in an irrigated field in a Corn-Corn-Soybean-Wheat-Soybean rotation. Replicated strips with differing soil test P levels were established in 2014 by applying zero, 100, and 200 lbs/acre of MAP (monoammonium phosphate) on soils where the Olsen P soil levels had been lowered to 5 ppm. The experiment is in a randomized complete block design with 5 replications. Shortly after P fertilizer application, Cornell Infiltrometers were used to simulate a major rainfall event to measure infiltration, runoff, and transport of PO43- and total P in water and sediment. Soil and plant samples are were collected in fall 2017 (baseline) and again fall of 2018 (after harvest). AMF (mycorrizal fungi) activity was measured in the ARS lab in Brookings during peak root growth in July/August. A newsletter summarizing preliminary findings on P applications effects on water quality was develop to be distributed during farm tours and Dakota Lakes Research Farm's website. Project protocols, procedures, summary annual reports, and 2017-2018 data will be available at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm analytical lab. Findings from this project can be used as leverage for renewal of a grant in 2019-2020. Objective 5: (30% Accomplished) Information and data are needed to support a shift to intensifying cropping systems with little soil disturbance to sustain long-term crop productivity. Economic incentives in terms of reducing operation costs such as labor, machinery, fuel, herbicides, and insecticides, while providing ecological services and improving soil health, are key parameters that need to be assessed. Data from field experiments and demonstration sites on soil health is being collected from objectives 2 to 4. The Risk Calculator at SDSU'S Extension and Iowa State University Extension's Ag Decision Maker, will provide content to help producers better understand the costs of implementing soil health management practices. Additionally, the PI was awarded grants titled "Assessing soil health under never-tilled grassland, long-term conventionally-tilled, and long-term no-till systems in the Upper Missouri River Basin" and "Livestock integration into cropland and cropland/pasture system to utilize cover crops and benefit soil health". This project will be transitioned to Dr. Dwayne Beck at Dakota Lakes Research Farm. Work for this project began in fall of 2018 and go on until 2021. Objective 6:(25% Accomplished) To meet this challenge, farmers will need to increase soil resistance and resiliency in their land by improving soil structure and water holding capacity. A field study (fall 2017) evaluating cover crop effects on water use efficiency at the Dakota Lakes Research farm was established to monitor soil moisture and temperature every 30 minutes. Additionally, the PI was awarded a grant titled "Cover crops for water and nutrient management in South Dakota". This project will aid in the decision processes related to water management and cover crop utilization in excess and limited moisture scenarios in South Dakota. The PI, with assistance from new graduate student for this project, established experimental plots at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm, evaluating best times for planting and termination of cover crops. Will also be assessing soil health for at the DLRF and Beresford cover crop sites. This project will be transitioned to Dr. Dwayne Beck at Dakota Lakes Research Farm. Work for this project began in fall of 2018 and go on until 2022.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Guzman, J. G., Beck, D., Eastwood, S. 2018. Effects of Wild Fire on Soil Health in South Dakota. Soil Health Institute Annual Meeting 2018. Albuquerque, NM. August 3.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Guzman, J. G. 2018. Cover Crop Research in South Dakota. MCCC Annual Meeting 2019. Fargo, ND. March 14.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Guzman, J. G., Beck, D., Lehman, M. 2018. The Impact of Phosphorus Soil Test Level Differences on Crop Response, Phosphorus Leaching, and Phosphorus Runoff Under Long-Term No-till Management in South Dakota. ASA Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD. November 6.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Ristau, J., Guzman, J. 2018.
Follow the Carbon. Emerge. June, pg 16-17
|
Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience will include farmers, livestock producers, landowners, extension researchers, agronomists, USDA/NRCS soil conservationists, and soil scientists who will benefit by gaining awareness of building soil health to improve long-term productivity. Quantification of improvements in soil health will aid policy makers in creating incentives for producing crops more sustainably in South Dakota. Efforts Part of my tasks as Soil Management Scientist at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm is to assist in the farm tours that occur periodically during the summer. Additionally, I was involved in the preparation and organization of the annual field day (6/28/2018) at the farm and gave a presentation on managing for soil health. Attendees of the farm tours and field day included farmers from South Dakota(≈50), SD Extension specialists (≈15), Extension educators from other states (≈20), NRCS soil and water conservationists (≈100-200), seedsmen (≈10), and farmers and scientist from different states (mid-west) and countries (i.e. Argentina, South Africa). I gave five presentations on Soil Health and Soil Biology in workshops held by South Dakota State University Extension in Pierre, Roslyn, and Hartford. I'm also involved with the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition Board providing my expertise. The collation aids farmers connect and communicate with other agriculture producers about their curiosities or challenges with implementing soil health management practices. Training workshops (5) on implementing soil health management practices were held across South Dakota. Presentations ranged from one to two hours, and data collected from Dakota Lakes Research Farm and existing literature were used to create hand-outs for attendees. On-field soil health assessments were taken where farmers, Extension specialists, NRCS soil and water conservationists from Pierre, Rosyln, Ree Heights, Huron, Harford and surrounding areas attended. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Will maintain my graduate advising load between 1-2 active MS students. The students will conduct research projects, present at professional meetings, and prepare scientific manuscripts from their projects. Graduate students will work on research objectives 3 to 6. Main advisor to Asmita Gautam, MS started in January 2018. Main advisor to Sam Ireland, MS projected start date of May 2019. Committee member in Navdeep Singh, PhD started in 2017. Graduate students will have hands on experience in setting up experiment designs, measuring soil physical, chemical, and biological properties, and use statistical procedures used in agronomy studies to interpret their results. Co-advise 1-2 MS students, serve on one (1) PhD committee and serve as a Departmental member in Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?For farmers in South Dakota to improve sustainability and productivity on their land in the long-term, attention must be given on how soils can be managed to; (i) mitigate the effects of changing climate conditions (i.e. improve soil structure to increase water conservation); (ii) produce more with less land and rising input costs (i.e. fertilizers and fuel); and, (iii) adapting soil conservation practices to reduce further degradation of soil health. Research at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm is assessing management practices that are derived from ecological principles (mimicking nature) which places heavy emphasis on developing a healthy and biologically active soil ecology and uses cultural practices (rotation, sanitation, competition, little soil disturbance) as the primary method of pest control. The overall goal of this research is for farmers in South Dakota to adopt these management practices into their farms. In 2018, approximately 120 famers, 15 South Dakota Extension specialists, 20 Extension educators, 100 to 200 NRCS and USDA-ARS soil and water conservationists, and 10 seedsman have visited the Dakota Lakes Research Farm to learn how to build soil health to improve productivity in the long-term. Additionally, 5 workshops on soil health and soil biology across the state have been averaging 15 to 50 per event. Soil health assessment field demonstrations have been given to USDA/NRCS soil conservationist (10) in 3 separate events in South Dakota. Currently, results from this project are still being collected and critically analyzed before dissemination to communities of interest. Collaborations with the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition, the South Dakota Pulse Growers, and the South Dakota No-till Association are ongoing to aid in dissemination of results to their members. Findings will also be published in refereed journals (anticipate 2 to 4 per year), and in more widely circulated periodicals read by farmers and the agricultural community. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Objective 1. Establish an analytical lab at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm to measure soil health. Continue to maintain and recalibrate lab instruments and purchase new supplies for soil health measurements. Continue to update (when necessary) lab safety protocols, training, chemical storage and disposal documentation. Train new graduate students and technicians who use the lab. Continuation of lab and field procedures on how to collect soil samples, soil preparation, soil test analysis on physical, chemical, and biological will be complied for dissemination to soil scientists, graduate students, agronomists, Extension researchers, and government agencies (i.e. NRCS). Objective 2. Work with and provide farmers, agronomist, extension researchers, and government agencies with the data and resources to monitor and manage soil health. Continue to support NRCS personnel in Pierre to finalize "Standard Indicators and Laboratory Procedures to Assess Soil Health" publication. Assess soil health in 15-20 sites across the state from recently award grants. Will be working with and training NRCS personnel in this projects to assess soil health. Will be hosting soil health workshops in the summer of 2019. As feedback from attendees is acquired from previous work shops, presentations and training materials will be modified to meet the soil scientists, agronomists, graduate students, extension researchers, and government agencies (i.e. NRCS) needs. Objective 3. Conduct ecosystem C budgets under different soil management practices and its impacts on soil health and productivity. Analyze ecosystem carbon budgets (ECB) from 2018, and begin to prepare journal papers and presentations showing the importance for carbon sequestration for improving soil health and productivity. Continue new ECB measurements January 1, 2019. Carbon losses via microbial respiration will begin in January and continue until end of December. Carbon inputs from crop residue and roots after harvest in the fall. Additional ECB will be completed in the preceding years. Present first year findings at the Soil Science Society of America Annual meetings poster presentations in 2019. Grant(s) will be submitted to start a new project evaluating management practices to increase soil organic carbon and its impacts on soil health and productivity. Objective 4. Assess soil microbial properties under different management practices and its impacts on soil health and productivity. Continue to monitor for P from water runoff and leaching after fertilization, and lab water analyses will be completed by late fall. Soil and plant samples after second year of treatments will be completed after wheat harvest (Mid-July). AMF (mycorrizal fungi) activity and soil biological samples will be collected during the summer during peak root growth. Installation of lysimeters will be done late this fall and water samples will be collected though the year. All field and lab analyses will be completed by the end of November. A summary report will be completed by end of December 2019. Present second year findings at the Soil Science Society of America Annual meetings oral presentations. Grant(s) will be submitted to expand this project state wide. Objective 5. Linking intensification of cropping systems with soil health and productivity. Data from field experiments and demonstration sites on soil health from objectives 2 to 6 will be used. The Risk Calculator at SDSU'S Extension and Iowa State University Extension's Ag Decision Maker will provide content to help producers better understand the costs of implementing soil health management practices. Objective 6. Increase water use efficiency and water holding capacity in cropping systems. Start a new cover crop project evaluating management practices that increase water use efficiency in the semi-arid region of South Dakota. Begin development of a cover crop moisture decision tool that will utilize all soil moisture data collected during the first two years and will incorporate data taken in the third. Measurement of soil health parameters including: soil structure (aggregate stability), bulk density, infiltration, phospholipid fatty acids (measure of biological activity) and soil carbon content. Develop fact sheets about water management options with cover crops, made available on iGrow.org. Results will be presented at public field days such as Dakotafest, AgPhD field day as well as field tours during field days at Dakota Lakes Research Farm and Southeast Research Farm. A water and cover crop field day will demonstrate the decision making tool. A participant survey will be distributed to gain feedback and assess knowledge gain and behavior change.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1: Establish an analytical lab at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm to measure soil health. (90% Accomplished) The analytical laboratory will provide equipment and space to conduct soil health measurements, as well as being the headquarters for interpretation of results and making recommendations for management changes to improve soil health. Lab construction (installing new walls, floor, wiring, cabinets, counter desks, etc...) began in May of 2017 and was completed in May of 2018. Lab instruments and equipment for soil preparation, storage, and basic soil physical measurements have been acquired (100% completed). Lab instruments and supplies for measuring chemical and biological properties were acquired, and lab safety protocols, training, chemical storage and disposal documentation were completed. Lab and field procedures on how to collect soil samples, soil preparation, soil test analysis on physical (100% completed), chemical (100% completed), and biological (70% competed) have been compiled for dissemination to soil scientist, graduate students, agronomist, Extension researchers, and government agencies (i.e. NRCS). Objective 2: Work with and provide farmers, agronomists, extension researchers, and government agencies with the data and resources to monitor and manage soil health. (90% Accomplished) Soil scientists, agronomists, graduate students, extension researchers, and government agencies (i.e. NRCS) need quantitative information and technical tools for assessing and improving soil health that can be straightforwardly incorporated into farmer's management practices. The Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF) scoring function analyses is being calibrated for South Dakota Soils, and guides for sampling, field measurements, and interpretation are being develop to assess soil health. Collaborations with farmers in the South Dakota Soil Health Collation, as well as regional soil scientists from NRCS and USDA-ARS, have begun to monitor changes in soil health with intensification of cropping systems (2 sites near Pierre Area), no-tillage systems (12 sites in Upper Missouri River Basin), incorporation of livestock (2 sites, Pierre and Gettysburg), wild fires (3 sites, Pierre, Onida, and Okobojo), and cover crops (2 sites, Pierre and Beresford). Additionally, the PI has collaborated with NRCS personnel in Pierre to develop a "Standard Indicators and Laboratory Procedures to Assess Soil Health" publication that was released for public review in September. This consisted of sharing procedures from objective 1 and going out to fields for training on soil health measurements (3 sites, Dakota Lakes Research Farm, Huron and near Ree Heights). Objective 3: Conduct ecosystem C budgets under different soil management practices and determine impacts on soil health and productivity. (75% Accomplished) Determining if current cropping systems are a sink or source of carbon and greenhouse gas emissions requires accurate measurements in ecosystem carbon budget (ECB). This requires taking weekly measurements of microbial respiration (C losses) during the growing season, and bi-weekly during cooler temperatures. End of year plant biomass samples are also collected to measure C input. ECB measurements in fields (at Dakota Lakes) varying by cropping intensity began in January and will be completed in end of this year. Objective 4: Assess soil microbial properties under different management practices and impacts on soil health and productivity. (75% Accomplished) Reduced soil disturbance (i.e. no-tillage) and greater diversity in cropping systems are expected to create a more favorable environment for mycorrhizae fungi (AMF) and other soil microorganisms, thus improving nutrient cycling and acquisition. It is hypothesized that soils having more diverse microbial communities are better adapted to stresses such as drought and low nutrient levels (i.e. P and N) than with poor microbial communities typically observed in highly disturbed agroecosystems with high external P and N inputs. A project assessing the impact of P soil test level differences on crop response, P leaching, and P runoff under long term no-till management at the Dakota Lakes Research farm was established in fall of 2017. The site was in an irrigated field in a Corn-Corn-Soybean-Wheat-Soybean rotation. Replicated strips with differing soil test P levels were established in 2014 by applying zero, 100, and 200 lbs/acre of MAP (monoammonium phosphate) on soils where the Olsen P soil levels had been lowered to 5 ppm. The experiment is in a randomized complete block design with 5 replications. Shortly after P fertilizer application, Cornell Infiltrometers were used to simulate a major rainfall event to measure infiltration, runoff, and transport of PO43- and total P in water and sediment. Soil and plant samples are were collected in fall 2017 (baseline) and again this fall of 2018 (after harvest). AMF (mycorrizal fungi) activity was measured in the ARS lab in Brookings during peak root growth in July/August. Lab analyses of soil samples will be completed by end of this calendar year. Objective 5: Link intensification of cropping systems with soil health and productivity. (30% Accomplished) Information and data are needed to support a shift to intensifying cropping systems with little soil disturbance to sustain long-term crop productivity. Economic incentives in terms of reducing operation costs such as labor, machinery, fuel, herbicides, and insecticides, while providing ecological services and improving soil health, are key parameters that need to be assessed. Data from field experiments and demonstration sites on soil health is being collected from objectives 2 to 4. The Risk Calculator at SDSU'S Extension and Iowa State University Extension's Ag Decision Maker, will provide content to help producers better understand the costs of implementing soil health management practices. Additionally, the PI was awarded grants titled "Assessing soil health under never-tilled grassland, long-term conventionally-tilled, and long-term no-till systems in the Upper Missouri River Basin" and "Livestock integration into cropland and cropland/pasture system to utilize cover crops and benefit soil health". This projects will begin fall of 2018 and go on until 2021. Objective 6: Increase water use efficiency and water holding capacity in cropping systems. (25% Accomplished) To meet this challenge, farmers will need to increase soil resistance and resiliency in their land by improving soil structure and water holding capacity. A field study (fall 2017) evaluating cover crop effects on water use efficiency at the Dakota Lakes Research farm was established to monitor soil moisture and temperature every 30 minutes. Additionally, the PI was awarded a grant titled "Cover crops for water and nutrient management in South Dakota". This project will aid in the decision processes related to water management and cover crop utilization in excess and limited moisture scenarios in South Dakota. The PI with assistance from new graduate student for this project will established experimental plots at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm, evaluating best times for planting and termination of cover crops. Will also be assessing soil health for at the DLRF and Beresford cover crop sites. This project will continue until 2021.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Guzman, J. G., Beck, D., Eastwood, S. Soil Health Institute Annual Meeting 2018, "Effects of Wild Fire on Soil Health in South Dakota," Soil Health Institute, Albuquerque, NM. (August 3, 2018).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Guzman, J. G., MCCC Annual Meeting 2019, "Cover Crop Research in South Dakota," Midwest Cover Crop Council, Fargo, ND. (March 14, 2018).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Guzman, J. G., Beck, D., Lehman, M. The Impact of Phosphorus Soil Test Level Differences on Crop Response, Phosphorus Leaching, and Phosphorus Runoff Under Long-Term No-till Management in South Dakota. ASA Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD. (November 6, 2018)
- Type:
Other
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Ristau, J., Guzman, J. 2018.
Follow the Carbon . Emerge. June 2018, pg 16-17
|
Progress 08/01/17 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:Part of my tasks as Soil Management Scientist at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm is to assist in the farm tours that occur periodically during the summer. Additionally, I was involved in the preparation and organization of the annual field day (6/29/2017) at the farm and gave a presentation on managing for soil health. Attendees of the farm tours and field day included farmers from South Dakota(≈100-200), SD Extension specialists (≈15), Extension educators from other states (≈20), NRCS soil and water conservationists (≈100-200), seedsmen (≈10), Governor of South Dakota (Dennis Daugaard) and support staff, and farmers and scientist from different states and countries (i.e. Argentina, South Africa, Russia, Denmark). I gave five presentations on Soil Health and Soil Biology in workshops held by South Dakota Extension specialist in Rapid City, Pierre, and Sioux Falls, and Aberdeen. I'm also involved with the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition Board providing my expertise. The coalitionaids farmers connect and communicate with other agriculture producers about their curiosities or challenges with implementing soil health management practices. Part of my tasks as Soil Management Scientist at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm is to assist in the farm tours that occur periodically during the summer. Changes/Problems:This was the first year of the project, which started in late May. Results from this study still have to be critically analyzed and reviewed before dissemination of information to farmers, livestock producers, landowners, extension researchers, agronomists, and soil scientists. This project will aid in acquiring new funding for acquiring equipment to assess soil health in western and eastern parts of South Dakota. Focus on purchasing soil moisture and temperature sensors to monitor water use efficiency will be a focus for next year. Recruiting of a graduate student was not completed this year, but anticipate to have qualified applicants after the spring or summer semester of 2018 when most graduate and are actively looking for graduate assistantships. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training workshops (5) on implementing soil health management practices were held across South Dakota. Presentations ranged from one to two hours, and data collected from Dakota Lakes Research Farm and existing literature were used to create hand-outs for attendees. Farmers, Extension specialist, NRCS soil and water conservationists from Rapid City (≈10), Pierre (≈30), and Sioux Falls (≈60), and Aberdeen (≈50) surrounding areas attended. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Currently, results from this project are still being collected and critically analyzed before dissemination to communities of interest. Collaborations with South Dakota Soil Health Coalition, South Dakota Pulse Growers and the South Dakota No-till Association are ongoing to aid in dissemination of results to their members. Findings will also be published in refereed journals (anticipate 2 to 4 per year), and in more widely circulated periodicals read by farmers and the agricultural community. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Data collected, findings, and working collaborations with transdisciplinary teams (university, industry, farmers, and affected small communities) from this project will make team of collaborators more competitive for future grant proposals from government agencies such as the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) and various commodity organizations. With new funding, will be able to purchase equipment to assess soil health in western and eastern parts of South Dakota. Focus on purchasing soil moisture and temperature sensors to monitor water use efficiency will be a focus for next year. Findings will be published in refereed journals (anticipate 2 to 4 per year), and in more widely circulated periodicals read by farmers and the agricultural community. Training of one (1) graduate student conducting research on quantifying soil health under different management practices in South Dakota. Completion of the analytical lab at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm to measure soil health. Objective 1. Establish an analytical lab at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm to measure soil health. Completion of the soil analytical laboratory and soil health assessment procedures are expected by May 2018, prior to summer sampling. Lab construction will be completed once all the cabinets and counter desks are installed by January. Lab instruments and equipment for soil preparation, storage, and basic soil physical measurements will be acquired by April. Lab instruments and supplies for measuring chemical and biological properties will be acquired andlab safety protocols, training, chemical storage and disposal documentation will be completed in February to April. Lab and field procedures on how to collect soil samples, soil preparation, soil test analysis on physical, chemical, and biological will be complied for dissemination to soil scientists, graduate students, agronomists, Extension researchers, and government agencies (i.e. NRCS). Objective 2. Work with and provide farmers, agronomist, extension researchers, and government agencies with the data and resources to monitor and manage soil health. Starting next summer, soil health will be assessed in the western and eastern parts of South Dakota, and training workshops on how to assess soil health will be prepared. In addition to sites already initiated this year, sites near Rapid City, Brookings, and Sioux Falls will be included. It is important to have sites across the state to take into account differences in climate, soil type, and management systems. As feedback from attendees is acquired from previous workshops, presentations and training materials will be modified to meet the soil scientists, agronomists, graduate students, extension researchers, and government agencies (i.e. NRCS) needs. Objective 3. Conduct ecosystem C budgets under different soil management practices and its impacts on soil health and productivity. Annual ecosystem carbon budgets measurements will begin January 1, 2018. Carbon losses via microbial respiration will begin in January and continue until end of December. Carbon inputs from crop residue and roots after harvest will be made in the fall. Soil and plant analysis will be completed by late spring of 2019. Calculations of carbon budgets will be completed in summer of 2019. Acquisition of a root washer is still needed. Additional ecosystems carbon budgets will be completed in the preceding years. Objective 4. Assess soil microbial properties under different management practices and its impacts on soil health and productivity. Lab analyses of baseline soil and plant samples will be completed next spring. P from water runoff after fertilization has been completed, and lab water analyses will be completed early next spring. Soil and plant samples after first year of treatments will be completed after wheat harvest (Mid-July). AMF (mycorrizal fungi) activity and soil biological samples will be collected during the summer during peak root growth. Installation of lysimeters will be done in early spring and water samples will be collected though the year. All field and lab analyses will be completed by end of November. Summary report will be completed by end of December 2018. Objective 5. Linking intensification of cropping systems with soil health and productivity. Data from field experiments and demonstration sites on soil health from objectives 2 to 4 will be used. The Risk Calculator at SDSU'S Extension and Iowa State University Extension's Ag Decision Maker, will provide content to help producers better understand the costs of implementing soil health management practices. Objective 6. Increase water use efficiency and water holding capacity in cropping systems. Grant(s) will be submitted to start a new project evaluating management practices that increase water use efficiency in the arid and semi-arid regions of South Dakota. Preliminary data being collected from a field study initiated in fall of 2017 assessing cover crop effects on water use efficiency at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm will be used for leverage. The grant will provide support for acquiring of soil moisture and temperature sensors, graduate assistantship, and lab analyses. Collaboration with other faculty members in SDSU will be sought after to have some data and possible publications for 2018.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1. Establish an analytical lab at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm to measure soil health (≈60% completion). The analytical laboratory will provide equipment and space to conduct some of the soil health measurements, as well as being the headquarters for interpretation of results and making recommendations for management changes to improve soil health. Lab construction (installing new walls, floor, wiring, cabinets, counter desks, etc...) began in late May and is nearly complete (≈90%). Lab instruments and equipment for soil preparation, storage, and basic soil physical measurements have been acquired (≈40% completed). Lab and field procedures on how to collect soil samples (80% completed), soil preparation (80% completed), soil test analysis on physical (60% completed), chemical (80% completed), and biological (10% competed) are being complied for dissemination to soil scientists, graduate students, agronomist, Extension researchers, and government agencies (i.e. NRCS). Objective 2. Work with and provide farmers, agronomist, extension researchers, and government agencies with the data and resources to monitor and manage soil health (≈40% completion). Soil scientists, agronomists, graduate students, extension researchers, and government agencies (i.e. NRCS) need quantitative information and technical tools for assessing and improving soil health that can be straightforwardly incorporated into farmer's management practices. The Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF) scoring function analyses is being calibrated for South Dakota Soils, and guides for sampling, field measurements, and interpretation are being develop to assess soil health. Preliminary soil health assessments were conducted at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm and findings were presented at the station's annual Field Tour held June 29, 2017. Collaborations with the PI and farmers in South Dakota Soil Health Collation, regional soil scientists from NRCS and USDA-ARS have begun to monitor changes in soil health with intensification of cropping systems (2 sites in Pierre area), no-tillage systems (2 sites in Pierre area), incorporation of livestock (2 sites, Pierre and Gettysburg), accidental fires (3 sites, Pierre, Onida, and Okobojo), and cover crops (2 sites, Pierre and Gettysburg). Objective 3. Conduct ecosystem C budgets under different soil management practices and its impacts on soil health and productivity (≈5% completion). Determining if current cropping systems are a sink or source of carbon and greenhouse gas emissions requires accurate measurements in ecosystem carbon budget. Site locations (2 sites) for conducting ecosystem carbon budgets have been identified for 2018. In order to measure carbon losses from microbial respiration, a portable LI-COR 6400 is required and is currently be acquired from South Dakota State University staff. Measurements will begin on January 1, 2018. Objective 4. Assess soil microbial properties under different management practices and its impacts on soil health and productivity (≈40% completion). Lower soil disturbance (i.e. no-tillage) and greater diversity in cropping systems are expected to create a more favorable environment for mycorrhizae fungi (AMF) and other soil microorganisms, thus improving nutrient cycling and acquisition. It is hypothesized that soils having more diverse microbial communities are better adapted to stresses such as drought and low nutrient levels (i.e. P and N) than with poor microbial communities typically observed in highly disturbed agroecosystems with high external P and N inputs. A project assessing the impact of P soil test level differences on crop response, P leaching, and P runoff under long-term no-till management at the Dakota Lakes Research farm was established in fall of 2017. The site was in an irrigated field in a Corn-Corn-Soybean-Wheat-Soybean rotation. Replicated strips with differing soil test P levels were established in 2014 by applying zero, 100, and 200 lbs/acre of MAP (monoammonium phosphate) on soils where the Olsen P soil levels had been lowered to 5 ppm. The experiment is in a randomized complete block design with 5 replications. Shortly after P fertilizer application, Cornell Infiltrometers were used to simulate a major rainfall event to measure infiltration,runoff, and transport of PO43- andtotal P in water and sediment. Soil and plant samples will be collected in fall 2017 (baseline) and fall of 2018 (after harvest). AMF (mycorrizal fungi) activity will be measured in Dr. Lehman's ARS lab in Brookings during peak root growth in July/August. Findings from this project will provide guidelines for producers in South Dakota with proper P management (right rate, right time, right form, and right placement) in no-till soils. This project will also provide references for agronomist and policy makers to create guidelines and policies that both increase the producers' economic benefits and minimize negative impacts on the water quality and soil fertility. Objective 5. Linking intensification of cropping systems with soil health and productivity (≈10% completion). Information and data are needed to support a shift to intensifying cropping systems with little soil disturbance to sustain long-term crop productivity. Economic incentives in terms of reducing operation costs such as labor, machinery, fuel, herbicides, and insecticides, while providing ecological services and improving soil health, are key parameters that need to be assessed. Data from field experiments and demonstration sites on soil health is being collected from objectives 2 to 4. The Risk Calculator at SDSU'S Extension and Iowa State University Extension's Ag Decision Maker, will provide content to help producers better understand the costs of implementing soil health management practices. Objective 6. Increase water use efficiency and water holding capacity in cropping systems (≈10% completion). Higher frequency of flooding and prolong droughts are expected in the next coming decades. To meet this challenge, farmers will need to increase soil resistance and resiliency in their land by improving soil structure and water holding capacity. A field study (fall 2017) evaluating cover crop effects on water use efficiency at the Dakota Lakes Research farm has been established to monitor soil moisture and temperature every 30 minutes. More studies are needed to assess different management practices and soils types in South Dakota. This study will help in collecting preliminary data to support future grants to purchase soil moisture and temperature sensors needed to expand on this research.
Publications
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