2013
Influence of farming system contribution to best management practices for improving soybean grain yield, soil carbon levels, pest management control and profitability
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Contributor/Checkoff:
South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
Field management Nutrient managementSoil healthTillageYield trials
Parent Project:
Influence of farming system contribution to best management practices for improving soybean grain yield, soil carbon levels, pest management control and profitability
Lead Principal Investigator:
Howard Woodard, South Dakota State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Anthony Bly, South Dakota State University
Ron Gelderman, South Dakota State University
Allen Heuer, South Dakota State University
Carol Johnston, South Dakota State University
Michael Moechnig, South Dakota State University
Cuirong Ren, South Dakota State University
Peter Sexton, South Dakota State University
Jerry Warmann, South Dakota State University
+7 More
Project Code:
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council
(n/a)
Institution Funded:
South Dakota State University
(n/a)
Brief Project Summary:

Three sites will be selected across eastern South Dakota to measure soybean yield response, carbon storage, pest control and economic benefits of various farming systems in a five-year study. Farming system combinations will compare tillage vs. no-till systems, along with residue removal vs. residue retained systems and all combinations of these two main effects. Soil testing will measure long-term changes in soil carbon storage and rates of nutrient depletion in various system combinations. Grain yields will demonstrate the effectiveness of maintaining economic yields despite some aspects of the main treatments which may reduce yields at the expense of increasing soil carbon.

Unique Keywords:
#best management practices, #carbon sequestration, #crop management systems, #soybean production management
Information And Results
Final Project Results

During a normal yield year which 2012 was not, information derived from best management practices may provide new insights into specific goals (either for soil C storage, grain yield or stover production). It is anticipated that two recommendations will be made for the best economic yield package of production treatments. In addition, a decision tree for soil C storage to obtain the most favorable scenarios for 'carbon credits' should be forthcoming. This carbon credit may offset any possible yield disadvantages.

An additional benefit of this research would identify those combinations of production practices which enhance the recycling of nutrients contained in crop residues in order to trim fertilizer costs when their cost is high.

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.