There is an inherent tension between subsurface drainage and soil organic carbon (SOC). Drainage-induced aeration increases SOC mineralization and reduces SOC stocks (Fernandez 2016). Lower SOC is related to poor soil structure, low fertility and poor crop yields, but in the context of poorly-drained soils, increased soil aeration is likely to have a net positive yield effect.
The traditional range of the Corn Belt is shifting northward into the Red River Basin region of Minnesota. With this shift comes a change in soil fertility and water management needs. At the same time, phosphorus loss to freshwater lakes is emerging as a critical threat to Canada’s Lake Winnipeg.
Manure not only supplies nutrients in a corn production system, it can help improve soil health as well. In particular, manure has been shown to have outsized effects on soil carbon pools relative to its total carbon content. As interest in understanding soil health has grown, we have access to an increasing number of carbon pool assays, including permanganate oxidizable carbon, particulate organic matter carbon, and lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose.
The research is designed to evaluate the performance of conservation practices to reduce nitrate-nitrogen (N) loads from corn-soybean agriculture at a small-watershed scale under real world conditions.
While the farming practices of the last few decades have led to significantly higher corn yields, challenges still exist for farmers, which include tighter profit margins and extreme weather patterns which result in soil erosion, water quality challenges and high peak flow rates in waterways.
Minnesota has an interim goal of 20% reduction in nitrate-N load in Minnesota waters by 2025. One structural drainage practice that can immediately contribute to nitrate reduction is the woodchip bioreactor.
SMSU has 15 acres of land made available by a local alumni and farmer. 2019 will be the fifth season this plot has been established and available for SMSU students for hands on learning. As well as learning, contractedresearch has been performed for Agricultural Companies on these acres.
Commodity crop production in Minnesota is under scrutiny to reduce impacts of nitrogen fertilizer on groundwater. There is an extensive body of research documenting fertilizer as a source of nitrate in groundwater (http://www.mda.state.mn.us/fertilizer-source-nitrate-groundwater) .
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