Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:Audience includes farmers, scientists and technical service providers including soil testing and advising communities. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Grad student and undergrads are actively engaged in laband field research. A highlight of this year's efforts was a session at our organic field day that featured a jepardy game designed and hosted by the students to engage farmers and other ag-technical service providers in a discussion of soil health indicators, plant roots, and soil structure. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We hosted workshops at the Land Connection's annual eventand a field day on soil measurments and nutrient management at our organic systems trial. We have also engaged in one on one discussions with collaborating farmers to help us align efforts with farmer's struggles to maintain plant and soil health without over use of fertilizers or tillage. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Collect measures on farm fields and calibrate model for estimation of N loss through N2O and leaching and SOC change to help farmers with nitrogen management and organic matter management. Gather detailed information about farms we have and will sample through farmer interviews Conduct workshops and demonstration at farmer facing conferences Author outreach articles for eOrganic Publish results
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1. Measurments of nitrous oxide emissions and covariates that will be used to initialize the modelwere taken in UofI's replicated organic systems trial. This organically certified experiment compares manure application rates and cover-crops within three and four year cash grain rotations. Measures of nitrous oxide emissions, soil organic matter, particulate organic matter, plant available N and dissolved organic matter were taken along with measures of bulk density, soil temperature and moisture for use in modeling efforts. Objective 2. Sampling and analysis of particulate organic matter (POM) fromfarm fields sampled over the past three decadeswas completed. Samples have been used to develop imaging protocols that compare POM determined using sieving (>53 micron) with image-based estimates. We are working on modeling code for the parameterized centure soil organic matter model (PCSOM model). Efforts have focused on optimization of the C submodel by comparing estimates of SOM and POM change based on traditional spin up methods with model estimates produced using POM as a proxy for the 'slow' pool that changes within decades. Protocol for POM quantification was completed after optimization of sample handling, sample holders, wetting proceedures were refined to support high-throughput applications. We are illuminating samples with high intensity LEDs and an NIR camera mounted above a movable stage that permits assay of multiple samples that are larger than typically used by wet-lab methods. Objective 3. We have held discussions about use of POM as a key metric of soil stewardship with representatives of AOAC which works to bring government, industry and academia together to develop standard methods for food and the environment.
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Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audience includes farmers, scientists, and technical service providers. Changes/Problems:We have had a difficult time finding a post-doc with the skill set we need. While several students have contributed to field and analysis, agraduate student devoted to the modeling effort will finally engage this fall. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training of undergrads and graduate students in our lab has familiarized them with proceedures. Inclusion of grad students and professionals in field days and small group discussions has provided a two-way exchange that is helping us understand how to make POM quantification methods both practical and useful. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Information has been disseminated through a field day co-sponsored with the Land Connection, a non-profit organization that caters to the organic and regenerative farming community in Illinois. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will validate and publish results on our imaging and modeling protocols, complete discussions with farmers and technical service providers about POM applications, and publish outreach materials about use of modeling tools and POM to manage and assess organic matter quality and quantity and understand climate implications (greenhous gas emissions and C sequestration) and soilN supply.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1 and 3 were addressed through interactions with farmers and technical service providers at a field day and through interactions with industry folks in one on one discussions. Objective 2 was addressed through on farm sampling of POM and SOC in sites previously sampled, sampling if POM, SOC and other variables including nitrous oxide in the certified Illinois Organic farming systems triial located on campus. Advances in POM imaging were made by set up of an imaging platform and optimization of sampler and sample pretreatment methods.
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