Project Number: 5407-12210-001-02
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 01, 2009
End Date: Aug 31, 2014

Objective:
The purpose of this agreement is to carry out cooperative research and to set forth understandings between ARS and Colorado State University for joint projects and co-location of CSU and or ARS personnel at research sites and facilities in Colorado. 1. It is understood and agreed that while all parties are interested in basic and applied research: a. ARS is concerned with results having regional or national application; b. CSU Agricultural Experiment Station Research Centers conduct research that addresses economic viability and environmental sustainability impacting agriculture, natural resources, and consumers in Colorado; c. CSU Extension provides information and non-credit education, and encourages the application of research-based knowledge to end users in Colorado; d. CSU College of Agricultural Sciences and departments within the College as well as other Colleges and departments are engaged in soils, crop health and production, irrigation and water management, and environmental management research covering both basic and applied problems. 2. Investigations, as described in the exhibits, as well as other joint projects will be in cooperation with the CSU Agricultural Experiment Station, CSU Extension, CSU College of Agricultural Sciences and related departments within the College, and other Colleges, departments and units as appropriate to the joint projects. ARS and CSU may also engage with private parties and nonprofit entities in Colorado to enhance the cooperative research efforts.

Approach:
To develop long-term sustainable soil and crop management practices for the Central Great Plains Region (CGPR) and identify technologies that maximize the use of the region's soil and water resources with minimal negative environmental impact. This includes: (1) the development of sustainable soil, nutrient, weed control and water conservation technologies for dryland cropping systems that improve water and nutrient use efficiency and maintain/improve desirable soil physical and chemical properties (sequester C and improve soil quality); (2) quantify microbial plant associations and their effects on plant productivity in no-till dryland cropping systems; (3) develop best management practices for remediation/restoration of degraded soils; and (4) develop soil and crop management practices to include bio-fuel specialty crops into alternative dryland cropping systems. These projects will fill information gaps and address urgent needs, including the assessment of the variability in N use efficiency of different lines of wheat and the long-term ramifications of intensive no-till rotation management on farm-gate economics and soil quality of regions farmland.