Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering Commons^™

Influence Of Corn Stover Harvest On Soil Quality Assessments At Multiple Locations Across The U.S., Diane E. Stott, Virginia L. Jin, Thomas F. Ducey, Douglas L. Karlen, Gary E. Varvel, Jane M. F. Johnson, John M. Baker, Shannon L. Osborne, Jeff M. Novak, Paul R. Adler, Greg W. Roth, Stuart J. Birrell

Douglas L Karlen

Corn (Zea mays L.) stover has been identified as a biofuel feedstock due to its abundance and a perception that the residues are unused trash material. However, corn stover and other plant residues play a role in maintaining soil quality (health) and enhancing productivity, thus use of this abundant material as feedstock must be balanced with the need to protect the vital soil resource. Plant residues provide physical protection against erosion by wind and water, contribute to soil structure, nutrient cycling, and help sustain the soil microbiota. Replicated plots were established on productive soils at several locations (IA, IN, MN, …