Impact of corn stover retention on soil organic carbon and soil quality

Authors: OJEKANMI, ABIMBOLA - Orise Fellow; Johnson, Jane

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/4/2020
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Balanced allocation of stover is required between uses as feedstock for cellulosic ethanol and maintenance of soil organic carbon (SOC). Soil organic carbon is a critical indicator of health of soil functions. This identifies the need to quantify SOC (Y)- stover input (X) relations over time (T), to estimate SOC accrual rates (slope equals change in SOC divided by the change in time) and the minimum amount of residue (Xmin) required to maintain SOC when (change in SOC = 0). Soil, agronomic and climatic factors such as tillage, cover crop, landscape positions, fertilizer application, among others are expected to cause variation in m, Xmin, gross stover production. Thereby, influencing harvestable biomass in relation to soil quality management objectives. Data from the USDA-GRACENET and REAP network sites located primarily in the US-Corn Belt with replicated stover treatments were used. Various physical models were used describe the relation between SOC (Y) and stover input (X). This presentation will focus on the details of the physical models and some of the results from these experimental sites across the US Corn Belt.