Life Sciences 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, …

Drought Effects On Composition And Yield For Corn Stover, Mixed Grasses, And Miscanthus As Bioenergy Feedstocks, Rachel Emerson, Amber Hoover, Allison Ray, Jeffrey Lacey, Marnie Cortez, Courtney Payne, Douglas L. Karlen, Stuart J. Birrell, David A. Laird, Robert Kallenbach, Josh Egenolf, Matthew Sousek, Thomas Voigt

Douglas L Karlen

Drought conditions in 2012 were some of the most severe in recent history. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of drought on quality, quantity, and theoretical ethanol yield (TEY) of three bioenergy feedstocks, corn stover, mixed grasses from Conservation Reserve Program lands, and Miscanthus ×giganteus. To assess drought effects on these feedstocks, samples from 2010 (minimal to no drought) and 2012 (severe drought) were compared from multiple locations in the US. In all feedstocks, drought significantly increased extractives and reduced structural sugars and lignin; subsequently, TEYs were reduced 10–15%. Biomass yields were significantly reduced …

Nitrogen Management Of Winter Triticale, Lance R. Gibson, Carasella Nance, Douglas L. Karlen

Douglas L Karlen

Triticale (trit-ah-kay-lee) is a close relative of wheat. When durum wheat is pollinated with rye pollen, the cross is used in a breeding program to produce stable, self-replicating varieties. Triticale yield, stress tolerance, and disease resistance are typically greater than similar traits found in wheat. Triticale does not currently possess the grain traits of bread wheat, so its greatest market potential is as animal feed.

U.S. Billion-Ton Update: Biomass Supply For A Bioenergy And Bioproducts Industry, Robert D. Perlack, Laurence M. Eaton, Anthony F. Turhollow Jr., Matt H. Langholtz, Craig C. Brandt, Mark E. Downing, Robin L. Graham, Lynn L. Wright, Jacob M. Kavkewitz, Anna M. Shamey, Richard G. Nelson, Bryce J. Stokes, William L. Rooney, David J. Muth Jr., J. Richard Hess, Jared M. Abodeely, Chad Hellwinckel, Danial De La Torre Ugarte, Daniel C. Yoder, James P. Lyon, Timothy G. Rials, Timothy A. Volk, Thomas S. Buchholz, Lawrence P. Abrahamson, Robert P. Anex, Thomas B. Voigt, William Berguson, Don E. Riemenschneider, Douglas Karlen, Jane M. F. Johnson, Robert B. Mitchell, Kenneth P. Vogel, Edward P. Richard Jr., John Tatarko, Larry E. Wagner, Kenneth E. Skog, Patricia K. Lebow, Dennis P. Dykstra, Marilyn A. Buford, Patrick D. Miles, D. Andrew Scott, James H. Perdue, Robert B. Rummer, Jamie Barbour, John A. Stanturf, David B. Mckeever, Ronald S. Zalesny Jr., Edmund A. Gee, P. Daniel Cassidy, David Lightle

Douglas L Karlen

The Report, Biomass as Feedstock for a Bioenergy and Bioproducts Industry: The Technical Feasibility of a Billion-Ton Annual Supply (generally referred to as the Billion-Ton Study or 2005 BTS), was an estimate of “potential” biomass within the contiguous United States based on numerous assumptions about current and future inventory and production capacity, availability, and technology. In the 2005 BTS, a strategic analysis was undertaken to determine if U.S. agriculture and forest resources have the capability to potentially produce at least one billion dry tons of biomass annually, in a sustainable manner—enough to displace approximately 30% of the country’s present petroleum …

Corn Grain, Stover Yield And Nutrient Removal Validations At Regional Partnership Sites, Douglas L. Karlen, Stuart J. Birrell, Jane M. F. Johnson, Shannon L. Osborne, Thomas E. Schumacher, Gary E. Varvel, Richard B. Ferguson, Jeff M. Novak, James R. Fredrick, John M. Baker, John A. Lamb, Paul R. Adler, Greg W. Roth, Emerson D. Nafziger

Douglas L Karlen

Corn (Zea mays L.) stover has been identified as a major feedstock for cellulosic bioenergy. This report summarizes grain and stover yield as well as N, P, and K removal at several Sun Grant Regional Partnership (SGRP) sites. National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS) grain yields were used to assess the relevancy of plot-scale yields with county averages. Seasonal variation in weather patterns caused yields to differ substantially among sites and years. Nutrient removal estimates were significantly influenced by the sampling method (i.e. analysis of hand samples between physiologic maturity and grain harvest versus stover collected during the harvest operation). Based …

Effects Of Corn Crop Residue Grazing On Soil Physical Properties And Subsequent Soybean Production In A Corn-Soybean Crop Rotation (A Progress Report), Justin Clark, James R. Russell, Douglas Karlen, Darrell Busby, L. James Secor, Brian Peterson, Larry Pellack, Carroll Olsen, Shawn C. Shouse

Douglas L Karlen

The highest cost to beef cow-calf producers is the feeding of stored feeds in winter months. To lower feed costs, many producers will try to extend the grazing season into the winter. The primary resource for winter grazing in the Midwest is corn crop residues. On the average, corn crop residue grazing will reduce the amount of hay needed to maintain cows by approximately one-half ton per acre grazed over the winter. Although crop residue grazing is quite effective in reducing feed costs, some producers are concerned that corn residue grazing will have an adverse effect on soybean yields the …

Monitoring Soil Quality To Assess The Sustainability Of Harvesting Corn Stover, 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

Harvesting feedstock for biofuel production must not degrade soil, water, or air resources. Our objective is to provide an overview of field research being conducted to quantify effects of harvesting corn (Zea mays L.) stover as a bioenergy feedstock. Coordinated field studies are being conducted near Ames, IA; St. Paul and Morris, MN; Mead, NE; University Park, PA; Florence, SC; and Brookings, SD., as part of the USDA-ARS Renewable Energy Assessment Project (REAP). A baseline soil quality assessment was made using the Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF). Corn grain and residue yield for two different stover harvest rates (∼50% …

Soil Fertility Paradigms Evaluated Through Collaboration On-Farm And On-Station, Derrick N. Exner, Kathleen Delate, Douglas Karlen

Douglas L Karlen

A “paradigm” is a way of interpreting and making sense of the world. As such, our views on soil fertility are coherent with our interpretation of the scientific process and science institutions, and perhaps our feeling about the place of agriculture in the larger scheme of things. In agriculture today, two contradictory approaches to soil fertility uneasily coexist – the cation ratio paradigm (CR) and that referred to as “sufficient level of available nutrients” (SLAN).

Fluid Fertilizer’S Role In Sustaining Soils Used For Bio-Energy Feedstock Production, John L. Kovar, Douglas L. Karlen

Douglas L Karlen

The use of corn (Zea mays L.) as a bio-energy feedstock has attracted the attention of many producers. Recently, the focus has shifted from grain-based to cellulose-based ethanol production. In addition to biological conversion of corn stover to ethanol, thermal conversion (pyrolysis) of stover is being explored. Regardless of post-harvest processing, the short- and long-term effects of both increasing grain yields and removing stover on soil nutrient cycling, physical properties, and biological activity must be understood to ensure that soil productivity and ecosystem services are maintained. Our objectives for 2010 were to evaluate: (i) the use of surface or …

Potential Economic, Environmental Benefits Of Narrow Strip Intercropping, Richard M. Cruse, Douglas Karlen, Kenneth J. Moore

Douglas L Karlen

Since its establishment in 1989, the Cropping Systems interdisciplinary research issue team has worked to develop a cropping system that is more environmentally sustainable than cur­ rent cropping approaches but just as favorable economically. The team's work to date has focused on the strip intercropping concept.

Corn Response To Late-Spring Nitrogen Management In The Walnut Creek Watershed, Douglas L. Karlen, Ana L. Dinnes, Dan B. Jaynes, Charles R. Hurburgh Jr., Cynthia A. Cambardella, Thomas S. Colvin, Glen R. Rippke

Douglas L Karlen

A 400-ha subbasin study within the Walnut Creek watershed near Ames, IA, confirmed that using late-spring soil nitrate nitrogen (NO₃–N) test (LSNT) fertilizer recommendations could significantly reduce NO₃–N loss in drainage water, but detailed crop response was not reported. Herein we summarize corn (Zea mays L.) response to the LSNT program when implemented across the Clarion–Nicollet–Webster soil association. The LSNT was used to determine the recommended N fertilizer rate that was applied uniformly across each field except on check strips where zero or nonlimiting (>220 kg N ha⁻¹) sidedress N was applied. …

Evaluation Of Tillage And Crop Rotation Effects On Groundwater Quality—Nashua Project, Rameshwar S. Kanwar, Douglas Karlen, Thomas S. Colvin, William W. Simpkins, Vince J. Mcfadden

Douglas L Karlen

Sampling shows that agricultural chemicals are occurring increasingly in ground- and surface water in Iowa. The same trend has been reported throughout the United States; one study reported finding 73 pesticides in the groundwater of 34 states. Even pesticides known to be adsorbed to soil particles (and thus relatively immobile) have been found in a few sampled wells in trace concentrations. Nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) is the most common agricultural chemical found in groundwater. Nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides applied to the soil surface prior to and immediately following crop planting are particularly susceptible to surface runoff or leaching to groundwater through the …

Planting Date Effects On Wintertriticale Grain And Forage Yield, Lance R. Gibson, Aaron J. Schwarte, David N. Sundberg, Douglas L. Karlen

Douglas L Karlen

Triticale (trit-ah-kay-lee) is a close relative of wheat. When durum wheat is pollinated with rye pollen, the cross is used in a breeding program to produce these stable, self-replicating varieties. Triticale yield, stress tolerance, and disease resistance are typically greater than similar traits found in wheat. Triticale doesn’t currently possess the grain traits of bread wheat, so its greatest market potential is as animal feed.

Planting Date Effects On Winter Triticale Grain Yield, Lance R. Gibson, Aaron J. Schwarte, David N. Sundberg, Douglas L. Karlen

Douglas L Karlen

Triticale (trit-ah-kay-lee) is a close relative of wheat resulting from pollinating durum wheat with rye pollen and using the cross in a breeding program to produce stable, self-replicating varieties. Yield, stress tolerance, and disease resistance are typically greater in triticale than in wheat. Triticale doesn’t currently possess the grain traits of bread wheat, so its greatest market potential is as animal feed.

Fluid Fertilizer’S Role In Sustaining Soils Used For Bio-Fuels Production, John L. Kovar, Douglas L. Karlen

Douglas L Karlen

The short- and long-term effects on soil nutrient cycling, physical properties, and biological activity of striving for higher grain yields and removing crop residues for bio-fuels production must be understood to provide more quantitative crop and soil management guidelines. This study focuses primarily on potassium (K) and sulfur (S) response by corn (Zea mays L.) grown for bio-energy feedstock production. Our objectives for 2009 were to evaluate (i) the performance of several S fertilizers, including liquid ammonium thiosulfate (12-0-0-26S), for corn grown in Iowa, and (ii) the use of surface or subsurface bands of N-P-K-S fluid fertilizers to optimize positional …

Fluid Fertilizer’S Role In Sustaining Soils Used For Bio-Fuels Production, John L. Kovar, Douglas L. Karlen

Douglas L Karlen

Fast pyrolysis is optimized for production of bio-oil. Product yields are typically ~65% bio-oil, 20% biochar, 15% syngas.

Project Objective

To investigate N, P, K, and S dynamics in a comprehensive residue removal, tillage, and nutrient management study

Project Treatments

*Residue removal: 0, 50%, 90%

*Tillage: chisel plow, no-till

*Nutrient management: conventional (30K plants/A), high input (44K plants/A)

•Bio-char: 0, 4.32 tons/A, 8.25 tons/A

•Cover crops: annual, perennial

2009 Soil Test Levels

2009 Nutrient Management

Field Measurements

•Stand counts

•Whole-plant samples at V6

•Ear-leaf samples at mid-silk

•Grain yield and moisture

•Stover yield and moisture

•Grain and stover nutrient content

Soil Quality, Yield Stability And Economic Attributes Of Alternative Crop Rotations, Douglas L. Karlen, Cynthia A. Cambardella, Antonio P. Mallarino

Douglas L Karlen

Three long-term rotational crop studies in Iowa and one in Wisconsin were examined for conclusive evidence of rotational effects on soil quality. Long-term yield data also were evaluated to determine if there was a quantifiable relationship between soil quality and yield or yield stability.

Fluid Fertilizer’S Role In Sustaining Soils Used For Bio-Fuels Production, John L. Kovar, Douglas Karlen

Douglas L Karlen

Project Objectives: 1)To evaluate several S sources for corn grown on low organic matter soils2)To investigate nutrient dynamics in a comprehensive tillage, nutrient management, and residue removal study. Sulfur Response: Site Characteristics • Eroded side slopes • Loam/silt loam (Typic Haplaquolls) • Corn after soybean • N fertilizer applied at planting + spoke-whee UAN (155 lb N/A) • Corn (Fontanelle 4693 planted 5/6/08, 32K plants/A S Fertilizer Treatments Control 30 lb S/A; 13-33-0-15S; 2x3 30 lb S/A; 21-0-0-24S; 2x3 30 lb S/A; 12-0-0-26S; 2x0

Winter Grazing Of Corn Residues: Effects On Soil Properties And Subsequent Crop Yields From A Corn-Soybean Crop Rotation, W. Darrell Busby, James R. Russell, Douglas L. Karlen, L. James Secor, Brian Peterson, Carroll Olson, Shawn C. Shouse, Dallas L. Maxwell

Douglas L Karlen

Corn residues could be a good resource for winter cattle grazing. The study investigates whether winter grazing causes soil compaction and yield reduction in crops that are planted following grazing.

Plicate Staminal Filaments In Tillandsia Subgenus Anoplophytum (Bromeliaceae), T. M. Evans, Gregory K. Brown

Gregory K Brown

Plication of stamina!filaments is an important diagnostic character for Tillandsia subgenus Anoplophytum (ca. 45 species). The monophyletic integrity of subgenus Anoplophytum has recently been questioned, and we conducted an anatomical investigation of plicate stamina! filaments to better characterize this putative synapomorphy. Developmental studies show that the filament plications, or folds, become visible during or soon after anthesis. Serial sections of preplication filaments and filaments in sequential stages of plication were prepared and observed with light microscopy. A uniform sequence of parenchyma cell collapse begins three to four cell layers out from the vascular bundle and proceeds centrifugally to the epidermis. …

Potential For Controlling The Spread Of Centaurea Maculosa With Grass Competition, John L. Lindquist, Bruce D. Maxwell, T. Weaver

John L. Lindquist

ABSTRACT.-Spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa Lam.) is a major rangeland and roadside weed of the northern Rocky Mountains. It is often found in plant communities dominated by Pseudoroegneria spicatum or Festuca idahoensis, but it rarely invades roadsides dominated by Bromus inerrnis Leyss. Aboveground biomass of the 3 grass species grown in mixture with Centaurea was compared to growth in monoculture at a range of nitrogen input levels. The results suggest that Bromus is capable of suppressing the growth of Centaurea with the degree of suppression increasing with increasing nitrogen levels. The 2 native grasses had no impact on Centaurea under the …

Potential For Controlling The Spread Of Centaurea Maculosa With Grass Competition, John L. Lindquist, Bruce D. Maxwell, T. Weaver

John L. Lindquist

ABSTRACT.-Spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa Lam.) is a major rangeland and roadside weed of the northern Rocky Mountains. It is often found in plant communities dominated by Pseudoroegneria spicatum or Festuca idahoensis, but it rarely invades roadsides dominated by Bromus inerrnis Leyss. Aboveground biomass of the 3 grass species grown in mixture with Centaurea was compared to growth in monoculture at a range of nitrogen input levels. The results suggest that Bromus is capable of suppressing the growth of Centaurea with the degree of suppression increasing with increasing nitrogen levels. The 2 native grasses had no impact on Centaurea under the …

The Receptor For Activated C Kinase In Plant Signaling: Tale Of A Promiscuous Little Molecule, Tania Islas-Flores, Ahasanur Rahman, Hemayet Ullah, Marco A. Villanueva

Hemayet Ullah

Ataf2 Integrates Arabidopsis Brassinosteroid Inactivation And Seedling Photomorphogenesis, Hao Peng, Jianfei Zhao, Michael Neff

Jianfei Zhao

A Position Paper On The Electronic Publication Of Nematode Taxonomic Manuscripts, Eyualem Abebe, James G. Baldwin, Byron Adams, Duane Hope, Scott Gardner, Robin Huettel, Peter Mullin, Thomas O. Powers, Jyotsna Sharma, Weimin Ye, William K. Thomas

Byron Adams

Several nematode species have now attained ‘model organism’ status, yet there remain many niches in basic biological inquiry for which nematodes would be ideal model systems of study. However, furthering the model system approach is hindered by lack of information on nematode biodiversity. The shortage of taxonomic resources to inventory and characterize biodiversity hinders research programs in invasion biology, ecosystem functioning, conservation biology, and many others. The disproportion between numbers of species to be described and numbers of available taxonomic specialists is greater for Nematoda than for any other metazoan phylum. A partial solution to the taxonomic impediment is the …

Outcrossing And Crossbreeding Recovers Deteriorated Traits In Laboratory Cultured Steinernema Carpocapsae Nematodes, John M. Chaston, Adler R. Dillman, David I. Shapiro-Ilan, Anwar L. Bilgrami, Randy Gaugler, Keith R. Hopper, Byron J. Adams

Byron Adams

The nematode Steinernema carpocapsae infects and kills many pest insects in agro-ecosystems and is commonly used in biocontrol of these pests. Growth of the nematodes prior to distribution for biocontrol commonly results in deterioration of traits that are essential for nematode persistence in field applications. To better understand the mechanisms underlying trait deterioration of the efficacy of natural parasitism in entomopathogenic nematodes, we explored the maintenance of fitness related traits including reproductive capacity, heat tolerance, virulence to insects and ‘tail standing’ (formerly called nictation) among laboratory-cultured lines derived from natural, randomly mating populations of S. carpocapsae. Laboratory cultured nematode lines …

Novel Application Of Phastsystem Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis Using Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism ± Internal Transcribed Spacer Patterns Of Individuals For Molecular Identification Of Entomopathogenic Nematodes, Horolma Pamjav, Dimitra Triga, Zsuzsanna Buzµs, Tibor Vellai, Attila Lucskai, Byron Adams, Alexander P. Reid, Ann Burnell, Christine Griffin, Itamar Glazer, Michael G. Klein, Andras Fodor

Byron Adams

A relatively rapid and economic way of identifying and assigning nematodes to taxons, which had already been determined either by comparative sequence analysis of nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region or by other methods of molecular or conventional taxonomy, is provided. Molecular identification of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) can be upgraded by basing it on PhastSystem polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified DNA derived from single nematodes of Steinernema or Heterorhabditis spp. Although analysis from single worms has previously been made on agarose gel, the resolution on PhastSystem PAGE …

Community Involvement To Address A Long-Standing Invasive Species Problem: Aspects Of Civic Ecology In Practice, Rebecca W. Dolan, Kelly Harris, Mark Adler

Rebecca W. Dolan

Invasive non-native species (INS) are found in every city around the globe, but their impacts in urban settings as biological agents of visual pollution that block views of natural landscapes and disconnect citizens from nature are not as often addressed as comprehensively as their impacts in natural areas or agricultural settings. The multiple impacts of INS in cities make them ideal candidates for aspects of Civic Ecology Practice, where local environmental stewardship action is taken to enhance green infrastructure and community well-being in urban and other human-dominated systems. We present details of a community driven program focused on removal of …

Changes In Plant Species Composition And Structure In Two Peri-Urban Nature Preserves Over 10 Years, Rebecca W. Dolan, Jessica D. Stepens, Marcia E. Moore

Rebecca W. Dolan

Peri-urban natural areas, at the boundaries of cities and adjacent agricultural/rural land, are subject to ecological threats endemic to both land use types. We used permanent plots to document changes in habitat quality by monitoring herbaceous-layer plant species presence and cover over a decade (1996/97 and 2007) in two peri-urban nature preserves in central Indiana, U.S.A. The preserves are comprised of different forest community types: wet-mesic depressional forest and mesic upland forest. Habitat characteristics, based on Floristic Quality Assessment parameters, showed only a single change for either preserve between survey years: wetness values were lower in the wet-mesic depressional site …

Two Hundred Years Of Forest Change: Effects Of Urbanization On Tree Species Composition And Structure, Rebecca W. Dolan

Rebecca W. Dolan

Despite their importance, the dynamics of urban floras are not well understood and quantitative historical data are rare. The current study used three data sets for trees in Indianapolis/Marion County, Indiana, U.S., to document change over 200 years to the original beech-maple forest and to examine future implications of contemporary tree planting efforts in light of these changes. Data on tree composition and size collected before significant settlement in the early 1800s are compared with recent surveys of trees in remnant natural areas and with trees found on city streets and rights-of-way. All the species recorded in historical surveys are …