2006 Annual Report 1.What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? Why does it matter? This project is a contribution to the Soils Resource Management 202 National Program. Traditionally, soil and crop management has been based upon obtaining maximum economic yield, leading to an increased dependency on synthetic pesticides, inorganic fertilizers and genetically modified organisms. As resource conservation becomes increasingly important, it becomes necessary to develop new practices (or to refine existing practices) that incorporate soil, crop and pest management into integrated production systems. Consideration should be given to the amelioration of environmental constraints that limit adoption of conservation practices and non-traditional cropping strategies in the northern Great Plains. The goal of the project is to develop soil and crop management practices that are ecologically sustainable while maintaining or improving crop yield and producers’ profitability. Our objectives are to evaluate the effect of tillage systems, residue management, soil fertility, and crop rotations on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil; to develop integrated management practices that improve farming efficiency while maintaining or improving environmental quality; and to determine the amount of crop residues (e.g., corn stover) that must remain on the land to maintain sustainable production. Upon completion of the research objectives, producers will be provided with fact sheets and management guides on how diversified crop rotations, cover crops, no-till management, and integrated weed management can be utilized to develop and enhance sustainable production systems in the northern Great Plains. 2.List by year the currently approved milestones (indicators of research progress) Year 1 (2007) Sub-objective 1a: Analysis of data: basic relationship between POM & WSA; Establish neutron attenuation access tubes in plots to be monitor for water use. Develop methods for ICP analysis of crops grown in rotation. Sub-objective 1b: Establish experimental location, procure required equipment, initiate research protocols for lab analysis and field sampling Sub-objective 1c: Collect soil samples for clone libraries and initiate analysis. Obtain corn stover, process, and bury litter bags. Establish field plots for isolines; perform initial soil sampling. Sub-objective 2a: Collect data on crop yield and quality. Sub-objective 2b: Locate producer cooperators to establish research plots. Sub-objective 2c: Establish research plots; develop equipment to cultivate strips into living covers for soybean planting; Collect data on soil bearing and shear strength, crop yield, and weed & insect populations. Sub-objective 2d: Analysis of data: phase I first year. Year 2 (2008) Sub-objective 1a: Analysis of data: relationships between SOM quality & WSA; Analysis of data: relationship between crop rotation and C sequestration; Collect data on water and nutrient use. Sub-objective 1b: Complete research protocols, collect pilot data set, analyze pilot data set. Sub-objective 1c: Complete clone libraries and analyze the data. Retrieve litter bags, analyze litter and soil samples. Continue field plots. Sub-objective 2a: Collect data on crop yield and quality; Preliminary data analysis and progress reports. Sub-objective 2b: Perform field and growth chamber experiments. Sub-objective 2c: Collect data on soil bearing and shear strength, crop yield, and weed & insect populations. Sub-objective 2d: Analysis of data: phase I second year. Year 3 (2009) Sub-objective 1a: Analysis of data: water use and biomass produced by rotations; Collect data on water and nutrient use. Sub-objective 1b: Utilize optimized set of analytical tools and refined procedures to collect data for first year. Sub-objective 1c: Publish findings on clone libraries. Publish findings from first decomposition study. Initiate new decomposition study. Continue field plots. Sub-objective 2a: Collect data on crop yield and quality. Continued work on data analysis and progress reports. Sub-objective 2b: Analyze all plant samples for total N and soybean samples for ureide. Sub-objective 2c: Collect data on soil bearing and shear strength, crop yield, and weed and insect populations. Sub-objective 2d: Analysis of data: phase I third year. Year 4 (2010) Sub-objective 1a: Collect soil samples to be utilized for soil quality attributes; Collect data on water and nutrient use. Sub-objective 1b: Utilize optimized set of analytical tools and refined procedures to collect data for second year. Sub-objective 1c: Retrieve litter bags, analyze litter and soil samples. Continue field plots. Sub-objective 2a: Collect data on crop yield and quality. Continued work on data analysis and publications. Sub-objective 2b: Complete statistical analysis and begin writing research papers. Sub-objective 2c: Collect data on soil bearing and shear strength, crop yield, and weed and insect populations. Sub-objective 2d: Analysis of data: phase I fourth year. Year 5 (2011) Sub-objective 1a: Collect data on water and nutrient use, analysis of soil quality data Sub-objective 1b: Analyze data, synthesize and publish. Sub-objective 1c: Publish findings from second decomposition study. Continue field plots. Sub-objective 2a: Collect data on crop yield and quality. Continued work on data analysis, publications, and product development. Sub-objective 2b: Submit research papers to journal. Sub-objective 2c: Complete statistical analysis writing and submit research papers. Sub-objective 2d: Analysis of data for first two years of phase II experiment. 4a.List the single most significant research accomplishment during FY 2006. None 4c.List significant activities that support special target populations. None 5.Describe the major accomplishments to date and their predicted or actual impact. Research reported here is part of the Soil Resource Management National Program 202. Specific components include: Understanding and managing soil biology and rhizosphere ecology, Soil management to improve soil structure and hydraulic properties, Nutrient management for crop production and environmental protection, Adoption and implementation of soil and water conservation practices and systems, and Impact on soil of residue removal for biofuel production. This research directly relates to specific sub-objectives included within each component. These include: Compaction, sub-objective 1.1 Improved understanding of soil biology and rhizosphere ecology; sub-objective 1.3 Soil management to improve soil structure and hydraulic properties; sub-objective 2.1 Soil management to improve soil structure and hydraulic properties; sub-objective 4.1 Decision support tools for improved nutrient management; sub-objective 4.2 Management practices and strategies for increasing nutrient use efficiency; sub-objective 5.1 Improved knowledge and technologies to expand the development and use of new conservation systems. 6.What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end-user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? See CRIS Project #5447-12620-001-00D 7.List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: List your peer reviewed publications below). See CRIS Project #5447-12620-001-00D Scientific Publications See CRIS Project #5447-12620-001-00D