Research Project: Sustainable and Resilient Cropping Systems for Midwestern Landscapes

Location: Agroecosystems Management Research

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

Contrasting soil management systems had limited effects on soil health and crop yields in a North Central US Mollisol - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Crespo, C., O'Brien, P.L., Nunes, M.R., Ruis, S.J., Emmett, B.D., Rogovska, N.P., Malone, R.W., Cambardella, C., Kovar, J.L. 2024. Contrasting soil management systems had limited effects on soil health and crop yields in a North Central U.S. Mollisol. Soil Science Society of America Journal. https://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.20716.

Climate change impacts on spatio-temporal soil water extremes in geophysically diverse watersheds: A comparison between east and west Tennessee watersheds - (Review Article)

Do organic farming practices improve soil physical properties? - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Blanco-Canqui, H., Ruis, S.J., Francis, C.A. 2023. Do organic farming practices improve soil physical properties? Soil Use and Management. 40. https://doi.org/10.1111/sum.12999.

Oil spill soil remediation using thermal desorption: project synthesis and outcomes - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
O'Brien, P.L., DeSutter, T.M., Casey, F.X., Wick, A.F., Bartsch, Z.J., Croat, S.J., Struffert, S. 2024. Oil spill soil remediation using thermal desorption: project synthesis and outcomes. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment. 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20463.

Emergent role of critical interfaces in the dynamics of intensively managed landscapes - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kumar, P., Anders, A., Bauer, E., Blair, N.E., Cain, M., Dere, A., Druhan, J., Filley, T., Giannopoulos, C., Goodwell, A.E., Grimley, D., Karwan, D., Keefer, L.L., Kim, J., Marini, L., Muste, M., Papanicolaou, A.N., Rhoads, B.L., Rodriguez, L.H., Roque-Malo, S., Schaeffer, S., Stumpf, A., Ward, A. 2023. Emergent role of critical interfaces in the dynamics of intensively managed landscapes. Earth-Science Reviews. 244. Article 104543. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2023.104543.

Sediment and phosphorus contributions from eroding banks in a large intensively managed watershed in western Iowa, United States - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Williams, F.F., Moore, P.L., Allen, J.V., Isenhart, T.M., Thomas, J.T., Kovar, J.L., Schilling, K.E. 2023. Sediment and phosphorus contributions from eroding banks in a large intensively managed watershed in western Iowa, United States. Journal of the American Water Resources Association. 60(1):148-162. https://doi.org/10.1111/1752-1688.13164.

Does organic farming improve soil health indicators relative to conventional farming in the U.S. Midwest? - (Abstract Only)
Ruis, S.J., Kovar, J.L., Wacha, K.M., Cambardella, C.A. 2023. Does organic farming improve soil health indicators relative to conventional farming in the U.S. Midwest? {abstract]. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts.

Streambank erosion and phosphorus loading to surface waters: knowns, unknowns, and implications for nutrient loss reduction research and policy - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Margenot, A.J., Zhou, S., McDowell, R., Hebert, T., Fox, G., Schilling, K.E., Richmond, S., Kovar, J.L., Wickramarathne, N., Lemke, D., Boomer, K. 2023. Streambank erosion and phosphorus loading to surface waters: knowns, unknowns, and implications for nutrient loss reduction research and policy. Journal of Environmental Quality. 52(6):1063-1079. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.20514.

Increasing rye cover crop biomass production after corn residue removal to balance economics and soil health - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ruis, S.J., Blanco-Canqui, H., Jasa, P.J., Slater, G., Ferguson, R.B. 2023. Increasing rye cover crop biomass production after corn residue removal to balance economics and soil health. Field Crops Research. 302. Article 109076. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2023.109076.

Cover crops and soil health in rainfed and irrigated corn: what did we learn after 8 years? - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Blanco-Canqui, H., Ruis, S.J., Koehler-Cole, K., Elmore, R.W., Francis, C.A., Shapiro, C.A., Proctor, C.A., Ferguson, R.B. 2023. Cover crops and soil health in rainfed and irrigated corn: what did we learn after 8 years? Soil Science Society of America Journal. 87(5):1174-1190. https://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.20566.

Unraveling the role of ruzigrass in soil K cycling in tropical cropping systems - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Volf, M.R., Crusciol, C.A., Kovar, J.L., Rosolem, C.A. 2023. Unraveling the role of ruzigrass in soil K cycling in tropical cropping systems. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems. 126:181-194. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-023-10283-z.

Maximizing cover crop biomass production in corn-based systems: case studies and modeling - (Abstract Only)
Ruis, S.J., Blanco, H. 2023. Maximizing cover crop biomass production in corn-based systems: case studies and modeling [abstract]. 78th SWCS International Annual Conference.

Spatiotemporal variability of saturated hydraulic conductivity evident across agricultural management strategies - (Abstract Only)
O'Brien, P.L., Papanicolaou, A.N. 2022. Spatiotemporal variability of saturated hydraulic conductivity evident across agricultural management strategies [abstract]. American Geophysical Union.

Runoff and nutrient losses in extended and conventional crop rotations - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Logsdon, S.D., O'Brien, P.L. 2022. Runoff and nutrient losses in extended and conventional crop rotations. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment. 5(4). Article 20318. https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20318.

Nitrate losses and nitrous oxide emissions under contrasting tillage and cover crop management - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
O'Brien, P.L., Emmett, B.D., Malone, R.W., Nunes, M.R., Kovar, J.L., Kaspar, T.C., Moorman, T.B., Jaynes, D.B., Parkin, T.B. 2022. Nitrate losses and nitrous oxide emissions under contrasting tillage and cover crop management. Journal of Environmental Quality. 51:683-695. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.20361.

Human iPSC colon organoid function is improved by exposure to fecal fermentates - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Pearce, S.C., Weber, G.J., Doherty, L.A., Soares, J.W. 2022. Human iPSC colon organoid function is improved by exposure to fecal fermentates. Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. 4(7):468-484. https://doi.org/10.1096/fba.2021-00166.

Potassium bioavailability in a tropical kaolinitic soil - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Volf, M.R., Crusciol, C.A.C., De Azevedo, A.C., Thompson, M.L., Kovar, J.L., Rosolem, C.A. 2021. Potassium bioavailability in a tropical kaolinitic soil. Agronomy. 11(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11102016.

Contribution of streambanks to phosphorus export from Iowa - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Schilling, K.E., Isenhart, T.M., Kovar, J.L. 2021. Contribution of streambanks to phosphorus export from Iowa. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. 77(2):103-112. https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.2022.00036.

Science-based maize stover removal can be sustainable - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Nunes, M.R., De, M., Mcdaniel, M.D., Kovar, J.L., Birrell, S.J., Karlen, D.L. 2021. Science-based maize stover removal can be sustainable. Agronomy Journal. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20724.

Short-term effects of nitrogen source on soil properties and plant growth - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wacha, K.M., Hatfield, J.L., O'Brien, P.L., Dold, C. 2021. Short-term effects of nitrogen source on soil properties and plant growth. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment. 4(2). Article e20176. https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20176.

Agronomic approach to understanding climate change and food security - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
O'Brien, P.L., Kral-O'Brien, K.C., Hatfield, J.L. 2021. Agronomic approach to understanding climate change and food security. Agronomy Journal. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20693.

Quantifying the time-specific kinetic energy of simulated rainfall using a dynamic rain gauge system - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wacha, K.M., Huang, C., O'Brien, P.L., Papanicolaou, T.N., Hatfield, J.L. 2021. Quantifying the time-specific kinetic energy of simulated rainfall using a dynamic rain gauge system. Agricultural & Environmental Letters. 6(1). Article e20042. https://doi.org/10.1002/ael2.20042.

Climate fluctuations and soil hydrology - (Book / Chapter)
Hatfield, J.L., O'Brien, P.L., Wacha, K.M. 2022. Climate fluctuations and soil hydrology. In: Blanco, H., Kumar, S., Anderson, S.H., editors. Soil Hydrology in a Changing Climate. Clayton, Autralia: CSIRO Publishing. p.19-38.

Meta-analysis: Higher plant richness supports higher pollinator richness across many land use types - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kral-O'Brien, K.C., O'Brien, P.L., Hovick, T.J., Harmon, J.P. 2021. Meta-analysis: Higher plant richness supports higher pollinator richness across many land use types. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 114(2):267-275. https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/saaa061.

Maize response to sulfur fertilizer in three Iowa soils - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kovar, J.L. 2021. Maize response to sulfur fertilizer in three Iowa soils. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis. 52(8):905-915. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103624.2020.1869773.

CO2 fluxes and C budgets affected by stover harvest in Iowa continuous corn systems - (Abstract Only)
O'Brien, P.L., Sauer, T.J., Archontoulis, S., Karlen, D.L., Laird, D.A. 2020. CO2 fluxes and C budgets affected by stover harvest in Iowa continuous corn systems [abstract]. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting. 128195.

Plant-to-plant biomass and yield variability in corn–soybean rotations under three tillage regimes - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
O'Brien, P.L., Hatfield, J.L. 2021. Plant-to-plant biomass and yield variability in corn–soybean rotations under three tillage regimes. Agronomy Journal. 113(1):370-380. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20514.

Integrating rangeland health and stream stability in assessments of rangeland watersheds - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Meehan, M.A., O'Brien, P.L., Hecker, G.A., Printz, J.L. 2021. Integrating rangeland health and stream stability in assessments of rangeland watersheds. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 75:104-111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2020.12.005.

Soil health impacts on water and nutrient use efficiency - (Book / Chapter)
Hatfield, J.L., O'Brien, P.L., Wacha, K.M. 2023. Soil health impacts on water and nutrient use efficiency. In: Bakhru A., editor. Nutrition and Integrative Medicine for Clinicians. Boca Raton, Florida. CRC press. p.279-286.

Riparian land-use, stream morphology and streambank erosion within grazed pastures in southern Iowa, USA: A catchment-wide perspective - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tufekcioglu, M., Schultz, R.C., Isenhart, T.M., Kovar, J.L., Russell, J.R. 2020. Riparian land-use, stream morphology and streambank erosion within grazed pastures in southern Iowa, USA: A catchment-wide perspective. Sustainability. 12(16). https://doi.org/10.3390/su12166461.

Corn stover harvest reduces soil CO2 fluxes but increases overall C losses - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
O'Brien, P.L., Sauer, T.J., Archontoulis, S., Karlen, D.L., Laird, D. 2020. Corn stover harvest reduces soil CO2 fluxes but increases overall C losses. Global Change Biology Bioenergy. 12(11):894-909. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12742.

Influences of soil amendments on alfalfa production and soil properties - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
DeSutter, T.M., Breker, M., Chatterjee, A., O'Brien, P.L., Wick, A. 2020. Influences of soil amendments on alfalfa production and soil properties. Forage and Grazinglands. 6:e20043. https://doi.org/10.1002/cft2.20043.

Phosphorus sorption and desorption in soils treated by thermal desorption - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Croat, S.J., DeSutter, T.M., Casey, F.X.M., O'Brien, P.L. 2020. Phosphorus sorption and desorption in soils treated by thermal desorption. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution. 231:216. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-020-04579-x.

Foliar nutrient concentrations of three economically important tree species in an alley-cropping system - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
O'Brien, P.L., Thomas, A.L., Sauer, T.J., Brauer, D.K. 2020. Foliar nutrient concentrations of three economically important tree species in an alley-cropping system. Journal of Plant Nutrition. 43(17):2557-2568. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2020.1783303.

Produced water's impact on soil properties: Remediation challenges and opportunities - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Green, A., DeSutter, T.M., Meehan, M.A., Daigh, A.L.M., O'Brien, P.L. 2020. Produced water's impact on soil properties: Remediation challenges and opportunities. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment. 3(1):e20042. https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20042.

Biological soil health indicators respond to tillage intensity: A US meta-analysis - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Nunes, M.R., Karlen, D.L., Veum, K.S., Moorman, T.B., Cambardella, C. 2020. Biological soil health indicators respond to tillage intensity: A US meta-analysis. Geoderma. 369:114335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2020.114335.

Extreme soil surface temperatures reflect need to rethink agronomic management - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
O'Brien, P.L., Hatfield, J.L. 2020. Extreme soil surface temperatures reflect need to rethink agronomic management. Agricultural & Environmental Letters. 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/ael2.20002.

Cropping pattern changes diminish agroecosystem services in North and South Dakota, USA - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
O'Brien, P.L., Hatfield, J.L., Dold, C., Kistner-Thomas, E.J., Wacha, K.M. 2020. Cropping pattern changes diminish agroecosystem services in North and South Dakota, USA. Agronomy Journal. 112(1):1-24. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20001.

Using areal composition of riparian vegetation communities to identify thresholds in prairie streams - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Meehan, M.A., O'Brien, P.L. 2019. Using areal composition of riparian vegetation communities to identify thresholds in prairie streams. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 73(1):162-170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2019.09.004.

Crop production on heavily disturbed soils following crude oil remediation - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Croat, S.J., O'Brien, P.L., Gasch, C.K., Casey, F.X., Desutter, T.M. 2020. Crop production on heavily disturbed soils following crude oil remediation. Agronomy Journal. 112:130-138. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20077.

Need for false spring research in the Northern Great Plains, USA - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kral-O'Brien, K., O'Brien, P.L., Harmon, J. 2019. Need for false spring research in the Northern Great Plains, USA. Agricultural and Environmental Letters. 4(1):190024. https://doi.org/10.2134/ael2019.07.0024.

Crop yield and nitrous oxide emissions following swine manure application: A meta-analysis - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Luo, W., O'Brien, P.L., Hatfield, J.L. 2019. Crop yield and nitrous oxide emissions following swine manure application: A meta-analysis. Agricultural & Environmental Letters. 4(1):190024. https://doi.org/10.2134/ael2019.07.0024.

Use of a micro-capillary system to evaluate nutrient dynamics in rhizosphere soil solution of maize and soybean - (Abstract Only)
Kovar, J.L., Sitzmann, T.J., Mcdaniel, M.D. 2019. Use of a micro-capillary system to evaluate nutrient dynamics in rhizosphere soil solution of maize and soybean [abstract]. Rhizosphere 5. p. 161.

Dairy manure and synthetic fertilizer: A meta-analysis of crop production and environmental quality - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
O'Brien, P.L., Hatfield, J.L. 2019. Dairy manure and synthetic fertilizer: A meta-analysis of crop production and environmental quality. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment. 2(1):1900027. https://doi.org/10.2134/age2019.04.0027.

Using the Rosgen Stream Classification System to aid in Riparian Complex Ecological Site Descriptions Development - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Meehan, M.A., O'Brien, P.L. 2019. Using the Rosgen Stream Classification System to aid in Riparian Complex Ecological Site Descriptions Development. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 72(5):729-735. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2019.05.001.

Measuring crop available phosphorus - (Review Article)
Kovar, J.L., Cantarella, H. 2019. Measuring crop available phosphorus. Better Crops. Available: http://www.ipni.net/publication/bettercrops.nsf/0/4C2F131ED7125B5F852583B7004F2DBC/$FILE/BC-2019-1%20p13.pdf.