Bart Stevens

ASRU Research Leader and Research Agronomist

bart.stevens@ars.usda.gov

www.ars.usda.gov/pa/nparl/bstevens 

Phone: 406.433.9476
Fax: 406.433.5038
 

 • Education • Current Research • Research Experience • Selected Publications •

Additional Pages: Research Projects,*Publications*

*Taken from the Agricultural Research Information System (ARIS) database.

EDUCATION  

CURRENT RESEARCH

The focus of Bart's research program at NPARL will be to work collaboratively with other NPARL scientists to investigate alternative irrigated cropping strategies and to investigate their impact on weed management, soil quality and conservation, water and nutrient use efficiency, and economic and environmental sustainability.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Prior to joining the USDA-Agricultural Research Service in 2005, Bart was a Soil Scientist at the University of Wyoming Powell Research and Extension Center where his research focused on improving efficiency of N fertilization practices for sugarbeet and dry bean using variable rate technology, improved application timing, and proper N source selection.  While at the University of Wyoming, Bart also investigated the interaction of micronutrient management and weed control practices in sugarbeet.  Before beginning his work in Wyoming Bart worked for two years as a post-doctoral research associate at the University of Nebraska West Central Research and Extension Center.  While there, he conducted research on use of industrial byproducts (sugarbeet processing lime and coal fly ash) for liming agricultural soils, micronutrient management in corn, and variable rate N management.  Bart's graduate work ranged from investigating the iron deficiency stress mechanism of soybean to the effect of different management practices on soil N transformations and N use efficiency.

ARS: NEWS & EVENTS

Sugar Beets Tougher than They Look - May 11-15, 2009

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Please note: The most recent publications by this scientist may not yet be listed here. Please check the ARIS "Publications" page for possible new titles. 

• Jabro, J.D., Stevens, W.B., Iversen, W.M., Sainju, U.M., Allen, B.L. 2023. Saturated hydraulic conductivity of a sandy loam under no-till and intensive tillage in a corn-soybean rotation. Soil Systems. 7,79. https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems7030079.

• Klopp, H.W., Jabro, J.D., Allen, B.L., Sainju, U.M., Stevens, W.B., Rana Dangi, S. 2023. Does increasing diversity of small grain cropping systems improve aggregate stability and soil hydraulic properties? Agronomy. 13. Article 1567. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13061567.

• Jabro, J.D., Stevens, W.B. 2022. Pore size distribution derived from soil-water retention characteristic curve as affected by tillage intensity. Water. Special Issue 14(21). Article 3517. https://doi.org/10.3390/w14213517.

• Sainju, U.M., Liptzin, D., Stevens, W.B. 2022. Autoclaved citrate-extractable protein as a soil health indicator relates to soil properties and crop production. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems. 124:315-333. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-022-10230-4.

• Sainju, U.M., Liptzin, D., Stevens, W.B. 2022. How soil carbon fractions relate to soil properties and crop yields in dryland cropping systems? Soil Science Society of America Journal. http://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.20399.

• Jabro, J.D., Stevens, W.B. 2022. Soil-water characteristic curves and their estimated hydraulic parameters in no-tilled and conventionally tilled soils. Soil & Tillage Research. 219. Article 105342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2022.105342

• Sainju, U.M., Lenssen, A.W., Allen, B.L., Jabro, J.D., Stevens, W.B. 2021. Crop water and nitrogen productivity in response to long-term diversified crop rotations and management systems. Agricultural Water Management. 257. Article 107149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2021.107149.

• Kusi, N.Y., Stevens, W.B., Sintim, H.Y., Garcia, A., Mesbah, A.O. 2021. Phosphorus fertilization and enhanced efficiency products effects on sugarbeet. Industrial Crops and Products. 171(2021):113887. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2021.113887.

• Allen, B.L., Lenssen, A.W., Sainju, U.M., Jabro, J.D., Stevens, W.B. 2021. Nitrogen use in spring wheat impacted by crop diversification, management, and tillage. Agronomy Journal. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20686.

• Jabro, J.D., Stevens, W.B., Iversen, W.M., Sainju, U.M., Allen, B.L. 2020. Soil penetrability resistance and bulk density of a sandy loam under no-till and conventional tillage in a corn-soybean rotation. Soil & Tillage Research. 206:e104842. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2020.104842.

• Nilahyane, A., Chen, C., Keshavarz, R., Stevens, W.B., Iversen, W.M. 2020. Deficit irrigation for sugarbeet under conventional and no-till production. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment. 3(1):e20114. http://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20114.

• Sainju, U.M., Lenssen, A.W., Allen, B.L., Jabro, J.D., Stevens, W.B., Iversen, W.M. 2020. Soil water and water-use efficiency with diversified crop rotations and cultural practices. Agronomy Journal. 112(5):3306-3321. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20332.

• Sainju, U.M., Allen, B.L., Jabro, J.D., Stevens, W.B. 2020. Soil inorganic carbon under no-till dryland crop rotations. Agricultural and Environmental Letters. https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20073.

• Jabro, J.D., Stevens, W.B., Iversen, W.M. 2020. Comparing two methods for measuring soil bulk density and moisture content. Open Journal of Soil Science. 10(6):233-243. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojss.2020.106012.

• Lenssen, A.W., Sainju, U.M., Allen, B.L., Stevens, W.B., Jabro, J.D. 2020. Diversified crop rotation and management system influence durum yield and quality. Agronomy Journal. 2020:1-13. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20311.

• Jabro, J.D., Stevens, W.B., Iversen, W.M., Allen, B.L., Sainju, U.M. 2020. Irrigation scheduling based on wireless sensors output and soil-water characteristic curve in two soils. Sensors. 20(5):1336. DOI: 10.3390/s20051336.

• Jabro, J.D., Iversen, W.M., Stevens, W.B., Sainju, U.M., Allen, B.L. 2019. Tillage effects on drainage fluxes and nitrate leaching through unsaturated zone under irrigated corn-soybean rotation. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 35(3):293-300. DOI: 10.13031/aea.13127.

• Sainju, U.M., Lenssen, A.W., Allen, B.L., Jabro, J.D., Stevens, W.B. 2019. Pea growth, yield, and quality in different crop rotations and cultural practices. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment. 2:180041. DOI: 10.2134/age2018.10.0041.

• Stevens, W.B., Iversen, W.M., Jabro, J.D. 2019. Nitrogen fertigation interval for sugarbeet grown on soils with a high leaching potential. Journal of Sugar Beet Research. 56(1-2):21-34.

• Lenssen, A.W., Sainju, U.M., Allen, B.L., Jabro, J.D., Stevens, W.B. 2018. Dryland corn production and water use affected by tillage and crop management intensity. Agronomy Journal. 110:2439-2446. DOI: 10.2134/agronj2018.04.0267.

• Lenssen, A.W., Sainju, U.M., Jabro, J.D., Allen, B.L., Stevens, W.B. 2018. Dryland pea production and water use responses to tillage, crop rotation, and weed management practice. Agronomy Journal. 110(5):1843-1853. DOI: 10.2134/agronj2018.03.0182.

• Sainju, U.M., Lenssen, A.W., Allen, B.L., Stevens, W.B., Jabro, J.D. 2018. Nitrogen balance in dryland agroecosystem in response to tillage, crop rotation, and cultural practice. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems. 110:467-483. DOI: 10.1007/s10705-018-9909-7.

• Jabro, J.D., Iversen, W.M., Stevens, W.B., Allen, B.L., Sainju, U.M. 2017. A new automated passive capillary lysimeter for logging real-time drainage water fluxes. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 33(6):849-857. DOI: 10.13031/aea.12433.

• Jabro, J.D., Stevens, W.B., Iversen, W.M. 2017. Field performance of three real-time moisture sensors in sandy loam and clay loam soils. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science. 64(7):930-938. DOI: 10.1080/03650340.2017.1393528.

• Sainju, U.M., Lenssen, A.W., Allen, B.L., Stevens, W.B., Jabro, J.D. 2017. Soil residual nitrogen under various crop rotations and cultural practices. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science. 180(2):187–198. DOI: 10.1002/jpln.201600496.

• Sainju, U.M., Lenssen, A.W., Allen, B.L., Stevens, W.B., Jabro, J.D. 2017. Soil total carbon and nitrogen and crop yields after eight years of tillage, crop rotation, and cultural practice. Heliyon. 3:e00481. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2017.e00481.

• Jabro, J.D., Iversen, W.M., Stevens, W.B., Evans, R.G., Mikha, M.M., Allen, B.L. 2016. Physical and hydraulic properties of a sandy loam soil under zero, shallow and deep tillage practices. Soil & Tillage Research. 159: 67–72.

• Jabro, J.D., Stevens, W.B., Iversen, W.M., Allen, B.L., Sainju, U.M. 2016. Suction cup samplers for estimating nitrate-nitrogen in soil water in irrigated sugarbeet production. Soil Science. 7(10):1342-1354. DOI: 10.4236/jep.2016.710117.

• Sainju, U.M., Lenssen, A.W., Allen, B.L., Stevens, W.B., Jabro, J.D. 2016. Nitrogen balance in response to dryland crop rotations and cultural practices. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 233:25-32. DOI: 10.1016/j.agee.2016.08.023.

• Sainju, U.M., Lenssen, A.W., Allen, B.L., Stevens, W.B., Jabro, J.D. 2016. Soil total carbon and crop yield affected by crop rotation and cultural practice. Agronomy Journal. 109(1):1-9. DOI: 10.2134/agronj2016.07.0402.

• Hansen, N.C., Tubbs, S.R., Fernandez, F.G., Green, S., Hansen, N., Stevens, W.B. 2015. Chapter 17: Conservation agriculture in North America. In: Farooq, M. and Siddique, K., Editors. Conservation Agriculture. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. XIX, p. 417-442.

• Jabro, J.D., Iversen, W.M., Stevens, W.B., Evans, R.G., Mikha, M.M., Allen, B.L. 2015. Effect of three tillage depths on sugarbeet response and soil penetrability resistance. Agronomy Journal. 107(4):1481-1488. DOI: 10.2134/agronj14.0561.

• Jabro, J.D., Stevens, W.B., Iversen, W.M., Evans, R.G. 2015. Spatial and temporal variability of soil penetration resistance transecting sugarbeet rows and inter-rows in tillage systems. Agronomy Journal. 31(2):237-246. DOI: 10.13031/aea.31.10722.

• Stevens, W.B., Sainju, U.M., Caesar, T., Iversen, W.M. 2015. Malt barley yield and quality affected by irrigation, tillage, crop rotation, and nitrogen fertilization. Agronomy Journal. 107(6):2107-2119. DOI: 10.2134/agronj15.0027.

• Stevens, W.B., Evans, R.G., Iversen, W.M., Jabro, J.D., Sainju, U.M., Allen, B.L. 2015. Strip tillage and high-efficiency irrigation applied to a sugarbeet- barley rotation. Agronomy Journal. DOI: 10.2134/agronj14.0525.

• Caesar, T., Stevens, W.B., Sainju, U.M., Caesar, A.J., West, M.S., Gaskin, J.F. 2014. Soil-aggregating bacterial community as affected by irrigation, tillage, and cropping system in the Northern Great Plains. Soil Science. 179(1):11-20.  (PDF)

• Jabro, J.D., Iversen, W.M., Evans, R.G., Allen, B.L., Stevens, W.B. 2014. Repeated freeze-thaw cycle effects on soil compaction in a clay loam in northeastern Montana. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 78(3): 737-744. DOI: 10.2136/sssaj2013.07.0280. (PDF)

• Jabro, J.D., Stevens, W.B., Iversen, W.M., Evans, R.G., Allen, B.L. 2014. Crop water
  productivity of sugarbeet as affected by tillage. Agronomy Journal. 106(6):2280-2286. (PDF)

• Sainju, U.M., Stevens, W.B., Caesar, T. 2014. Soil carbon and crop yields affected by
  irrigation, tillage, crop rotation, and nitrogen fertilization. Soil Science Society of
  America Journal. 78(3):936-948. DOI: 10.2136/sssaj2013.12.0514.  (PDF)

• Sainju, U.M., Stevens, W.B., Caesar, T., Liebig, M.A., Wang, J. 2014. Net global
  warming potential and greenhouse gas intensity influenced by irrigation, tillage, crop
  rotation, and nitrogen fertilization. Journal of Environmental Quality. 43(3):777-788. (PDF) 
• Sainju, U.M., Stevens, W.B., Caesar, T., Montagne, C. 2014. Nitrogen dynamics affected
  by management practices in croplands transitioning from Conservation Reserve Program.
  Agronomy Journal. 106(5): 1677-1689. (PDF) 
• Lartey, R.T., Caesar, T., Caesar, A.J., Sainju, U.M., Evans, R.G. 2013. First report of
  spot form net blotch caused by Pyrenophora teres f. maculata on barley in the Mon-Dak
  area of the US. Plant Disease. 97(1): 143-143.
• Lenssen, A.W., Sainju, U.M., Hatfield, P. 2013. Integrating sheep grazing into wheatfallow
  systems: Crop yield and soil properties. Field Crops Research. 146:75-85.  (PDF)
• Sainju, U.M. 2013. Tillage, cropping sequence, and nitrogen fertilization influence dryland soil nitrogen dynamics. Agronomy Journal. 105(5):1253-1263. (PDF)  

• Sainju, U.M., Lenssen, A.W., Barsotti, J.L. 2013. Dryland malt barley and pea yields
  and quality affected by tillage, cropping sequence, and nitrogen fertilization.
  Agronomy Journal. 105(2):329-340. (PDF)
• Sainju, U.M., Stevens, W.B., Evans, R.G., Iversen, W.M. 2013. Irrigation system and
  tillage effects on soil carbon and nitrogen fractions. Soil Science Society of America
  Journal. 77(4):1225-1234. (PDF)
• Jabro, J.D., Iversen, W.M., Evans, R.G., Stevens, W.B. 2012. Water use and water productivity of sugarbeet, malt barley and potato as affected by irrigation frequency. Agronomy Journal. 104(6):1510-1516. 
• Jabro, J.D., Sainju, U.M., Stevens, W.B., Evans, R.G. 2012. Estimation of CO2 diffusion coefficient at 0-10 cm depth in undisturbed and tilled soils. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science. 58(1): 1-9. 
• Jabro, J.D., Stevens, W.B., Iversen, W.M., Evans, R.G. 2011. Bulk density, water content and hydraulic properties of a sandy loam soil following conventional or strip tillage. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 27(5):765-768. (PDF; 123 KB) 
• Sainju, U.M., Caesar, T., Lenssen, A.W., Barsotti, J.L. 2012. Dryland soil greenhouse gas emissions affected by cropping sequence and nitrogen fertilization. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 76(5):1741-1757. 
• Stevens, W.B., Evans, R.G., Jabro, J.D., Iversen, W.M. 2011. Sugarbeet productivity as influenced by fertilizer band depth and nitrogen rate in strip tillage. Journal of Sugarbeet Research. 137-154. (PDF; 256 KB)
• Evans, R.G., Iversen, W.M., Stevens, W.B., Jabro, J.D. 2010. Development of Combined Site-Specific MESA and LEPA Methods on a Linear Move Sprinkler Irrigation System. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 26(5):883-895. (PDF; 10370 KB)  
• Evans, R.G., Stevens, W.B., Iversen, W.M. 2010. Development of Strip Tillage on Sprinkler Irrigated Sugarbeet. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 26(1): 59-69. (PDF; 7123 KB)
• Jabro, J.D., Stevens, W.B., Evans, R.G., Iversen, W.M. 2010. Spatial Variability and Correlation of Selected Soil Properties in the AP Horizon of the CRP Grassland. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 26(3):419-428. (PDF: 2274 KB)
• Jabro, J.D., Stevens, W.B., Iversen, W.M., Evans, R.G. 2010. Tillage depth effects on soil physical properties, sugarbeet yield and quality. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis. 41: 7:908-916. (PDF; 216 KB)
• Sainju, U.M., Stevens, W.B., Caesar, T., Jabro, J.D. 2010. Land Use and Management Practices Impact on Plant Biomass Carbon and Soil Carbon Dioxide Emission. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 74:1613-1622. (PDF; 782 KB)
• Stevens, W.B., Evans, R.G., Jabro, J.D., Iversen, W.M. 2010. Nitrogen Availability for Sugarbeet affected by Tillage System and Sprinkler Irrigation Method. Agronomy Journal. 102:1745-1752. (PDF; 1064 KB)
• Jabro, J.D., Sainju, U.M., Stevens, W.B., Lenssen, A.W., Evans, R.G. 2009. Long-term Tillage Influences on Soil Physical Properties under Dryland Conditions in Northeastern Montana. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science. 55(6):633-640.
• Stevens, W.B., Evans, R.G., Jabro, J.D., Iversen, W.M. 2010. Nitrogen Availability for Sugarbeet affected by Tillage System and Sprinkler Irrigation Method. Agronomy Journal. 102:1745-1752. (PDF; 1064 KB)
• Jabro, J.D., Sainju, U.M., Stevens, W.B., Lenssen, A.W., Evans, R.G. 2009. Long-term Tillage Influences on Soil Physical Properties under Dryland Conditions in Northeastern Montana. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science. 55(6):633-640.
• Jabro, J.D., Stevens, W.B., Evans, R.G., Iversen, W.M. 2009. Tillage effects on physical properties in two soils of the Northern Great Plains. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 24(3): 377-382.  (PDF: 143 KB)
• Stevens, W.B., Violette, R., Skalsky, S., Mesbah, A.O. 2009. Response of Eight Sugarbeet Varieties to Increasing Nitrogen Application: 1. Root, Sucrose, and Top Yield. Journal of Sugarbeet Research. 45(3-4):65-83. (PDF; 4648 KB)
• Jabro, J.D., Kim, Y., Evans, R.G., Iversen, W.M., Stevens, W.B. 2008. Passive capillary sampler for measuring soil water drainage and flux in the vadose zone: Design, performance and enhancement. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 24(4):439-446. (PDF: 384 KB)
• Sainju, U.M., Jabro, J.D., Stevens, W.B. 2008. Soil carbon dioxide emission and carbon sequestration as influenced by irrigation, tillage, cropping system, and nitrogen fertilization. Journal of Environmental Quality. 37:98-106. (PDF; 1061 KB)
• Jabro, J.D., Evans, R.G., Stevens, W.B., Iversen, W.M. 2008. Repeatability of soil apparent electrical conductivity measured by a coulter sensor. Soil Science. 173(1):35- 45. (PDF; 6336 KB)
• Jabro, J.D., Sainju, U.M., Stevens, W.B., Evans, R.G. 2008. Carbon dioxide flux as affected by tillage and irrigation in soil converted from perennial forages to annual crops. Journal of Environmental Management. 88: 1478-1484. (PDF; 344 KB)
• Skalsky, S., Jacobs, J.J., Menkahaus, D., Stevens, W.B. 2008. Impact of fuel and nitrogen prices on profitability of selected crops: A case study. Agronomy Journal. 100:1161-1165. (PDF; 552 KB) 
• Taulealea, S., Held, D.J., Stevens, W.B., Bradley, D. 2007. Precision fertilization of Wyoming sugar beets: A case study. Journal of American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. 70:44-47. (PDF; 246 KB)
• Stevens, W.B., Blaylock, A.D., Hopkins, B.G., Ellsworth, J.W., Krall, J.M. 2007. Sugarbeet Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency with Pre-plant Broadcast, Banded, or Point-Injected Nitrogen Application. Agronomy Journal. 99(5):1252-1259. (PDF; 190 KB)
• Jabro, J.D., W.B. Stevens, and R.G. Evans. 2006. Spatial Relationships among Soil Physical Properties in a Grass-Alfalfa Hay. Soil Science. 17:719-727.
• Jabro, J.D., Evans, R.G., Kim, Y., Stevens, W.B., Iversen, W.M. 2006. Characterization of spatial variability of soil electrical conductivity and cone index using coulter and penetrometer-type sensors. Soil Science. 171(8):627-637. (PDF; 636 KB)
• Evans, R.G., Iversen, W.M., Stevens, W.B. 2006. Strip-Till Research on Beets. The Sugarbeet Grower. 45(2):16-19.
• Jabro, J.D., Evans, R.G., Kim, Y., Stevens, W.B., Iversen, W.M. 2005. Spatial Variability of Apparent Electrical Conductivity and Cone Index As Measured with Sensing Technologies: Assessment and Comparison. In: 2005 Pacific Northwest Section Meeting, September 22-24, 2005, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. Paper Number PNW05-017. St. Joseph, MI.: ASAE. PNW05-1017, 17 p. (PDF; 860 KB)
• Jabro, J.D., Stevens, W.B., Evans, R.G. 2005. Spatial Variability of Physical Properties in Lihen Sandy Loam Soils. In: Agronomy Abstracts. Asa-Cssa-Sssa International Annual Meetings, November 6-10, 2005, Salt Lake City, Utah. Cd-Rom.
• Tarkalson, D.D., Hergert, G.W., Stevens, W.B., Mccallister, D.L., Kachman, S.D. 2005. Fly Ash as a Liming Material for Corn Production. Agronomy Journal. 170:386-398.
• Stevens, W.B., Mesbah, A.O. 2005. Zinc Sulfate Applied to Sugarbeet Using Broadcast, Seed-Placed, and Foliar Methods. In: Proceedings of the Western Nutrient Management Conference. March 2, 2005. Salt Lake City, UT. 6:200-207.
• Stevens, W.B., Hoeft, R.G., Mulvaney, R.L. 2005. Fate of Nitrogen-15 in a Long-Term Nitrogen Rate Study: I. Interactions with Soil Nitrogen. Agronomy Journal. 97(4):1037-1045. (PDF; 109 KB)
• Stevens, W.B., Hoeft, R.G., Mulvaney, R.L. 2005. Fate of Nitrogen-15 in a Long-Term Nitrogen Rate Study: II. Nitrogen Uptake Efficiency. Agronomy Journal. Vol. 97(4):1046-1053. (PDF; 109 KB)
• Stevens, W.B., and A.O. Mesbah. 2004. Zinc enhances sugar beet emergence and yield on high-ph soils of marginal zinc status.  Online. Crop Management doi:10.1094/CM-2004-0805-01-RS.
• Mesbah, A.O., and W.B. Stevens. 2004. Redstem filaree control in sugarbeet.  Online. Crop Management 10.1094/CM-2004-0826-01-RS.
• Stevens, W.B., R.G. Hoeft, and W.R. Peterson. 2003. Nitrogen fertilizer requirement for inbred corn following corn or soybean.  Online. Crop Management doi:10.1094/CM-2003-1126-01-RS.
• McCallister, D.L., K.D. Frank, W.B. Stevens, G.W. Hergert, and R.R. Renken. 2002. Coal fly-ash as an acid-reducing soil amendment and its side effects.  Soil Science. 167:811-820.
• Bernards, M.L. V.D. Jolley, W.B. Stevens and G.W. Hergert. 2002. Phytosiderophore release from nodal, primary, and complete root systems in maize.  Plant Soil. 241:105-113.