Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:Researchers in agriculture, agronomy, soil science, weed science, agricultural economics, farmers interested in sustainable agricultural management and organic farmining, students of agricultural sciences, general public Changes/Problems:As everybody else's work, the progress of the project has been delayed by COVID. However, due to obtained no-cost extension we were able to complete and report all planned experimental work. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Over its duration the project provided support to two M.S. students and two post-doctoral research associates,and provided work opportunities for 6 undergraduate students helping with field and lab research tasks How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The preliminaryand then the finalized results of the project were reported at several scientific conferences and described in 4 peer-reviewed manuscripts (three already published and one in preparation for submission). The full list is in the publications section of the project. The producers, crop consultants, and general public were informed about the project's work in the context of the overall importance of organic production and the positive role of cover cropping. That was accomplished via during 2-4 annual extension events taking place throughout the project duration. The specific events are listed in the project's annual reports. Among the information events were field days, in-person and online (during COVID restrictions) extension meetings and webinars, as well as publications ofinformation bulletins. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
A three-year study in transitioning to organic production was conducted at 4 experimental fields at Kellogg Biological Station (KBS) (42° 24′N, 85° 24′W), Michigan.The experimentstarted in May 2018 for three of the fields and in May 2019 for an additional field. Prior to the start of the experiment soil samples for baseline analysis were collected from 0-20 cm depth and analyzed for soil texture and total C and N contents.The crop rotation during the three years of the transition consisted ofcorn in year 1, soybean in year 2, and winter wheat in year 3. Three cover crop systems and control transition scenarios were explored: traditional cover scenario with rye cover following corn harvest and red clover interseeded into winter wheat, a winter hardy cover crop mixture of ryegrass, crimson clover and brassica, and a winter susceptible mixture of oats, winter pea and radish. The cover crop mixtures were first interseeded into young corn during the first year of the transition and then planted again after the winter wheat harvest during the third year. During the experiment we monitored a large number of soil characteristics of potential importance to soil health, including but not limited tosoil organic C, soil total and inorganic N, microbial biomass C, short-term C mineralization, soil particulate organic matter, and soil aggregate size distributions. We also studied greenhouse gas emissions under different cover crop scenarios. Weexplored the role of cover crops on formation and architecture of soil pores using X-ray computed micro-tomography tools. The results were reported in three published peer-revied manuscripts and at several national conferences. The work on the project was also presented to farmers and general public at several field day and extension events. The project supported two graduate students, two post-doctoral associates and several hourly-paid undergraduate student assistants.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Lucas, M., L.T.T. Nguyen, A. Guber, and A. Kravchenko. 2022. Cover crop influence on pore size distribution and biopore dynamics: enumerating root and soil faunal effects. Frontiers in Plant Science-Functional Plant Ecology: doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.928569.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Singh, Sukhdeep, Linh T.T. Nguyen, Lisa K. Tiemann, Karen T.T. Renner, and A. Kravchenko. 2021. Effects of Inter-Seeded Cover Crop Mixtures on Soil Properties in Topographically Diverse Agricultural Landscapes during Organic Transition Period. Presented at the annual meeting of Soil Science Society of America, Nov 7-10, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Singh, Sukhdeep, Linh T.T. Nguyen, Lisa K. Tiemann, Karen T.T. Renner, and A. Kravchenko. 2022. Organic transition with cover crops: influence on soil properties in topographically diverse agricultural landscapes. (in prep) Agronomy J.
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Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:Researchers in agriculture, agronomy, soil science, weed science, agricultural economics, farmers interested in sustainable agricultural management and organic farmining, students of agricultural sciences, general public. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project supported one PhD student (Mk. Sukhdeep Singh), partially supported one M.S. student (Mr. Kaleb Ortner), and provided work opportunities for 2-3 undergraduate students helping with field and lab research tasks. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?To research community: As detailed above, the findings were reported at the European Geophysical Union annual meeting and in the manuscript in review in the journal of Agriculture Ecosystem and Environment. To farming community: The findings from the project have been reported to the farmers at the following events September 2, 2020 - Cover Crop Virtual Field Day. https://www.canr.msu.edu/videos/cover-crops-virtual-field-day-introduction. Video tour and discussing of winter-hardy and winter-kill cover crop mixtures in corn. Roundtable discussion of organic production. 96 participants. July 8, 2021 - Organic Field Day. MSU W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, Hickory Corners, MI. Organic Transition project site was toured and discussed. 70 participants. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue with the field and lab experimental work, as per time-line of the project. Of particular importance will be collection of the yield data of the first-year organic corn from the 4 experimental sites. Also soil samples at the last year of transition will need to be collected and analyzed from the 5th of the studied fields, followed by its corn yield in 2022.After that, the findings will be summarized in two manuscripts - one devoted to the effects of the transition scenarios on soil characteristics, and one on its effects on corn yields, as well as weeds and cover crop performance.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The reporting period corresponded to the third year (wheat) of transition in 4 of the experimental sites and to the second year of transition (soybean) in the 5th experimental site. During the reporting period we have completed the main soil sampling effort in the 4 of the sites, assessing the effects of the three years of transition on soil properties. Soil sampling was conducted in spring and soil measurements were completed during the summer. Analysis of the obtained data and preparations for their presentation at the annual meeting of the Soil Science Society of America in Nov 2021 and for publication are in progress. Cover crop biomass, weed biomass, andcrop yields were collected and analyzed during this year as per project's timetable. We also collected data on plant height and SPAD leaf readings of the organic corn (the first year after the transition). We have conducted X-ray computed tomography analyses to quantify roots of different cover crops and their effects on soil pore characteristics. The preliminary findings have been reported at the annual meeting of the European Geophysical Union.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Lucas, M., T.T.L.Nguyen, A. Guber, A. Kravchenko. 2021. The effect of cover crops on soil structure is mainly driven by root architecture. Presented at the annual meeting of the European Geosciences Union, Apr 19-30, virtual.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Nguyen T.T.L., L. Tiemann, K. Renner, and A.N. Kravchenko 2021. Effects of cover crops on soil characteristics across topographically diverse agricultural landscapes in corn-soybean-wheat organic transition. Agriculture, Ecosystem, Environment
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Progress 09/01/19 to 08/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:Researchers in agriculture, agronomy, soil science, weed science, agricultural economics, farmers interested in sustainable agricultural management and organic farmining, students of agricultural sciences, general public. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project supported one postdoctoral research association (Dr. Linh Nguyen), partially supported one M.S. student (Mr. Kaleb Ortner), and provided work opportunities for 2-3 undergraduate students helping with field and lab research tasks. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?To research community: As detailed above, the findings has been reported at Soil Science Society of America annual meeting and in the manuscript published in the journal Agriculture Ecosystem and Environment. To farming community: The findings from the project have been reported to the farmers at the following events September 17, 2019 - Organic Farmers of Michigan Fall Field Day. Reinbold Organic Farm, Caro, MI. Organic Transition project presented. 75 participants. September 27, 2019 - Cover Crop and Cropping Innovation Field Day. MSU W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, Hickory Corners, MI. Organic Transition project site was toured and discussed. 22 participants. March 14, 2020 - Cover Crop Webinar Series - Designing a Better System for Broadcast Interseeding.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN6c33b-7pc. Presentation of research on interseeding cover crops, winter-hardy and winter-kill mixtures used for Organic Transition project. 316 views. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue with the field and lab experimental work, as per time-line of the project. Of particular importance will be collection of the soil samples and their analyses after the third year of transition (prior to planting the first organic corn) from 4experimental sites.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The reporting period corresponded to the second year (soybean) of transition in 4 of the experimental sites and to the first year of transition in the 5th experimental site. During the reporting period soil measurements, cover crop biomass, weed data, crop yields were collected and analyzed as per project's timetable. The results of the weed and crop yield data were reported by the graduate student Kaleb Oertner at the annual meeting of the Soil Science Society of America (took place virtually). The results of the soil measurements after the first (corn) year of the transition were analyzed by Dr. Linh Nguyen (post-doctoral associated) and submitted as a manuscript to the journal Agriculture, Ecosystem, Environment (currently under a review). The manuscript by Dr. Nguyen reporting the results of the greenhouse gas measurements during the first year of the transition has been published in theEuropean Journal of Agronomy.We have started the work onan in-depthanalyses of the root patterns of the studied cover crops and their effects on soil pore characteristics using X-ray computed micro-tomography scanning.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Ortner, Kaleb, Karen A. Renner, Alexandra Kravchenko and Dean G. Baas. 2020. Organic Transition across Diverse Topographical Landscapes. Presented at the annual meeting of Soil Science Society of America, Nov 9-12, virtual
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Nguyen T.T.L. and A.N. Kravchenko 2021. Effects of cover crops on soil CO2 and N2O production across topographically diverse agricultural landscapes in corn-soybean-wheat organic transition. European J. of Agronomy 122.
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Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience:Researchers in agriculture, agronomy, soil science, weed science, agricultural economics, farmers interested in sustainable agricultural management andorganic farmining, students of agricultural sciences, general public. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project supports one postdoctoral research association (Dr. Linh Nguyen), partially supporst one M.S. student (Mr. Kaleb Ortner), and provides work opportunities for 2-3 undergraduatre students halption with field and lab research tasks. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?To research community: The results have been reported at theNorth Central Weed Science Society meeting, Dec 10-13, Columbus, OH. To farming community: The findings and experiences of the first year of the project were reported to the farming commuynity at following extension events: 1) Field Days a) Cover Crop and Cropping Innovation Field Day • Location: MSU W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, Hickory Corners, MI • Date: September 27, 2019 • Organic Transition research plots were toured and the project discussed as part of the Cover Crop and Cropping Innovation Field Day attended by 22 participants including farmers, agribusiness representatives and agency personnel. b) Michigan State University Extension Cover Crops and Forages Field Day • Location: Richard D'Arcy Farm, Marlette, MI • Date: September 24, 2019 • Interseeded cover crop plots associated with Organic Transition project were toured and the project discussed as part of Michigan State University Extension Cover Crops and Forages Field Day attended by 150 participants including farmers, agribusiness representatives and agency personnel. 2) Webinars a) MSU Cover Crop Team Webinar Series: Cover Crops in Michigan - Interseeding Cover Crops • Webinar by Co-PI Karen Renner • The first webinar in this series highlights research at MSU on interseeding cover crops into standing corn. • Posted: May 5, 2019 • Available on the web at https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/webinar-series1 b) MSU Cover Crop Team Webinar Series: Interseeding cover crops in corn in Michigan • Webinar by Aaron Brooker, graduate student of Co-PI Karen Renner • The second webinar in this series highlights research at MSU on interseeding cover crops into standing corn. • Posted: May 5, 2019 • Available on the web at https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/webinar-series2 3) MSUE News Articles a) MSU Cover Crop Team Webinar Series: Cover Crops in Michigan - Interseeding Cover Crops • Article highlighting the Webinar Series Topic: Cover Crops in Michigan - Interseeding Cover Crops • Posted: May 16, 2019 • Available on the web at https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/msu-cover-crop-team-webinar-series-cover-crops-in-michigan-interseeding-cover-crops b) MSU Cover Crop Team Webinar Series: Interseeding cover crops in corn in Michigan • Article highlighting the MSU Cover Crop Team Webinar Series: Interseeding cover crops in corn in Michigan. • Posted: May 21, 2019 • Available on the web at https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/msu-cover-crop-team-webinar-series-interseeding-cover-crops-in-corn-in-michigan. c) Attend the Cover Crop and Crop Innovation Field Day at Kellogg Biological Station • First article highlighting the Cover Crop and Cropping Innovation Field Day at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station. • Posted: September 13, 2019 • Available on the web at https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/attend-the-cover-crop-and-crop-innovation-field-day-at-kellogg-biological-station. d) Research and demonstration projects to be highlighted at cover crops and crop innovations field day • Second article highlighting the Cover Crop and Cropping Innovation Field Day at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station. • Posted: September 23, 2019 • Available on the web at https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/research-and-demonstration-projects-to-be-highlighted-at-cover-crops-and-crop-innovations-field-day. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue with the field and lab experimental work, as per time-line of the project. In addition, we will conduct an in-depth analyses of the root patterns of the studied cover crops and their effects on soil pore characteristics using X-ray computed micro-tomography scanning.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The first year of organic transition, i.e., corn, was started in three experimental fields in 2018. At each field the experiments followed randomized complete block design with 4-6 replications, with topographical positions and cover crop systems as the studied factors. The cover crop mixtures for interseeding into corn were planted in early summer, while cereal rye cover was planted after corn harvest. Organic soybeans were planted in May and harvested in October, 2019. In spring of 2019 two more experimental fields, one at the MSU research station and one at the participating farmer's land, were added to the project, planted with corn and interseeded with cover crops. Thus a total of 5 experimental sites, with three and two representing, respectively, the first and second phases of the 3-year organic transition rotation are now part of the project. During the corn and soybean growing seasons, the plant counts of the cover crop mixtures and weeds were conducted on a regular basis, as well as plant biomass sampling in fall after corn harvest. The preliminary results are reported by Kaleb Ortner, graduate student working on the project at a conference (as listed in the products). Emissions of N2O and CO2 were measured at multiple time points during winter/spring following corn, and continued past cover crop termination, planting of soybeans, as the crop of the second year of transition, and the first month of soybean growth. Dr. Linh Nguyen, the post-doc working on the project, is preparing the manuscript with the results for submission to a peer-reviewed journal. After cover crop termination soil sampling was conducted to assess soil carbon levels, microbial biomass, levels of available nitrogen, and soil aggregation. Analyses of the collected soil data are currently in progress.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Ortner, K.A., K. A. Renner, D.G. Baas, and A.K. Kravchenko. 2019. Weed management in organic soybeans across diverse field topographies. Presented at North Central Weed Science Society meeting, Dec 10-13, Columbus, OH.
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