Location: Agroecosystem Management Research
Project Number: 3042-21600-001-000-D
Project Type: In-House Appropriated
Start Date: Oct 15, 2023
End Date: Oct 14, 2028
Objective:
Objective 1: Develop and quantify management strategies that optimize input use in annual and perennial cropping systems, including bioenergy feedstocks, and integrated crop-livestock systems.
Sub-objective 1A: Evaluate the effects of long-term grazing and annual crop management on soil greenhouse gas flux.
Sub-objective 1B: Evaluate nitrogen use and productivity under different carbon amelioration practices.
Sub-objective 1C: Compare grain-based organic cropping management practices on resource use efficiency.
Objective 2: Develop and evaluate crop production systems in the Platte River/High Plains Aquifer region that enhance resilience and productivity under current and projected climate conditions.
Sub-objective 2A: Quantify SOC change on perennial bioenergy feedstocks, pasture, and row crop systems.
Sub-objective 2B: Cover crop evaluation in common and alternative crop rotations.
Sub-objective 2C: Quantify water quality under various crop management systems.
Objective 3: Evaluate greenhouse-gas-neutral agricultural production scenarios and determine key barriers for a circular bioeconomy (Stretch Objective).
Sub-objective 3A: Determine how cropping system diversity impacts greenhouse gas emissions using life-cycle analysis.
Sub-objective 3B: Identify near-term barriers and opportunities for a circular bioeconomy in the central Plains.
Approach:
An integrated, systems approach is needed to improve agricultural systems toward greater sustainability and resiliency to meet societal demands for food, feed, fiber, and fuel (Figure 1). Soil and crop management strategies that optimize the capacity of cropland and grasslands to store carbon while minimizing greenhouse gas emissions from nitrogen (N) fertilizer and other management practices are required. Further management improvements are needed to adapt to climate variability and extremes, potential water limitations, and increased agricultural productivity demands by a growing, global population. A better understanding of genetics, management, and environmental conditions is desired to improve or maintain critical agroecosystem services. Research activities will develop management strategies that optimize input use in annual and perennial cropping systems (Objective 1), crop production systems in the Platte River/High Plains Aquifer (PR/HPA) region that enhance resilience and productivity under current and projected climate conditions (Objective 2), and evaluate greenhouse-gas-neutral agricultural production scenarios and determine key barriers for a circular bioeconomy (Objective 3). Specific objectives will be accomplished by a combination of field data, process-based model simulations under different climate conditions, and the use of life-cycle analysis (LCA) to determine baseline greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and potential GHG mitigation in current and alternative agricultural systems. In addition, coordinated research activities will be conducted as part of the Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) Network. The overall research impact will be to increase the economic viability and sustainability of our Nation’s food supply and ensure that agricultural lands in the central Plains region provide abundant environmental services and societal benefits.
