Assessment of Soil Physical Health in an Intensive Corn Production System Integrated with Perennial Cover Crops

Presenter(s)

Ayeat Battah

Abstract or Description

The corn (Zea mays L.) production system in the U.S. Midwest is important because corn is used for livestock feed, agricultural exports, consumer products, and biofuel production. Despite the high yields, intensive corn production has caused negative impacts on soil and environmental health. These impacts are aggravated due to monocropping and a lack of actively growing rooting systems, leaving the soil exposed to wind and water erosion for more than half of each year. Hence, it would be essential to eliminate the extended periods of bare soil in the intensive corn production system. Thus, by increasing our understanding of soil physical health, we may improve root health, increase nutrient and water uptake through weed control, and increase the yield potential of MN farms. Previous studies have investigated the promising impact of annual cover crops on soil health between regular annual row crop production, but low adoption illustrates the need for alternatives. This study will evaluate the effects of perennial cover crops (PCC) on soil health and corn yields in hopes to develop an innovative and sustainable corn production system with PCC. Evaluation is completed through various soil health indicators (Gravimetric soil moisture content, maximum water holding capacity, aggregate stability, bulk density). We expect corn grown with PCC (60 inches row width) will not cause a yield reduction but improve soil physical health compared to conventionally grown corn (30 inches row width) without PCC. Best soil health might be expected in grass and legume mixture with corn as the system will add more organic matter with diverse root biomass and exudates, thus creating better soil structure and aggregates.

Mentor

Mriganka De