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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Oxford, Mississippi » National Sedimentation Laboratory » Water Quality and Ecology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #413624
Research Project: Enhancing Long-Term Agroecosystem Sustainability of Water and Soil Resources Through Science and Technology

Location: Water Quality and Ecology Research

Title: The LTAR cropland common experiment in the Lower Missisippi River Basin

Author
item Locke, Martin
item Witthaus, Lindsey
item Lizotte, Richard
item Heintzman, Lucas
item Moore, Matthew
item O'Reilly, Andrew - Andy
item Wells, Robert - Rob
item Langendoen, Eddy
item Bingner, Ronald - Ron
item GHOLSON, DREW - Mississippi State University
item Taylor, Jason
item Johnson Ii, Frank

Submitted to: Journal of Environmental Quality
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/30/2024
Publication Date: 5/30/2024
Citation: Locke, M.A., Witthaus, L.M., Lizotte Jr, R.E., Heintzman, L.J., Moore, M.T., O'Reilly, A.M., Wells, R.R., Langendoen, E.J., Bingner, R.L., Gholson, D., Taylor, J.M., Johnson II, F.E. 2024. The LTAR cropland common experiment in the Lower Missisippi River Basin. Journal of Environmental Quality. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.20577.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.20577

Interpretive Summary: Long-term agricultural research provides critical information on the connections between climate, soil, water, and crops. For over a century the Lower Mississippi River Basin has been intensively farmed causing significant impacts on soil and water resources. This paper describes long-term research studies that focus on a variety of farming practices and their soil and water impacts. This study will provide farmers with information valuable in making farm management decisions.

Technical Abstract: The Lower Mississippi River Basin Long Term Agroecosystem Research Site (LMRB-LTAR) encompasses six states from Missouri to the Gulf of Mexico and is coordinated by the USDA-ARS National Sedimentation Laboratory (NSL), Oxford, MS. The field-scale Common Experiment (CE) includes four row crop farms (26-101 ha). The LMRB-LTAR overall goal is to assess sustainable row crop agricultural production systems that integrate regional environmental and socio-economic needs. The LMRB CE was initiated in 2021 on two farms in Mississippi, with another two Mississippi farms included in 2023. Three fields are managed with prevailing (PRV) farming practices, and three fields managed with alternative (ALT) practices, including reduced tillage, cover crops, and automated prescription irrigation. Treatment effects on crop productivity, soil quality, water use efficiency, water quality, and carbon storage are assessed. This research will deliver products linked to overarching LTAR network goals, including innovative agricultural systems, partnerships, data management technologies, and precision environmental tools.