Microorganisms in the soil are critical to decomposing organic residues and recycling soil nutrients. Soil Organic Matter is composed of the living and the dead components of soil. Active soil organic matter improves soil structure and holds plant-available nutrients.
Category: Research
Role of Soil Fungus
Fungi decompose the hard-to-digest soil organic matter and consume simple sugars. The fungi are more specialized but need a more constant food source so they can store and recycle more Carbon and less Nitrogen. Fungus and bacteria recycle soil nutrients and generally have a helpful relationship with most plants.
Role of Soil Bacteria
Bacteria are the smallest and most hardy microbe in the soil and can survive under harsh and changing soil conditions. Soil bacteria come in four groups including decomposers, mutalists, patholgens, and lithotrophs. They can alter the soil environment to benefit certain plant communities and soil conditions change.
Introduction to P-Trap Software for Designing Phosphorus Removal Structures
Phosphorus (P) removal structures are a new best management practice for filtering dissolved P in non-point drainage from legacy P soils through use of P sorption materials (PSMs). Structures must be designed according to characteristics of the site (hydrology and constraints) and PSMs to be utilized, as well as user-defined goals (P removal, lifetime, and flow rate), making it a cumbersome process. A freely available P Transport Reduction App (P-TRAP) allows users to quickly produce a custom design or evaluate a hypothetical or existing structure.
Phosphorus Removal Structures Conservation Practice Overview
A phosphorus removal structure is a large, landscape-scale filter for dissolved phosphorus, intended to intercept and trap phosphorus from “hot spots” before reaching a surface water body.
The Past, Present and Future of Phosphorus Removal Structures
This resource explores the current challenges of Phosphorus Removal Structures and develops a better understanding of the processes that control dissolved phosphorus (P) removal among P removal structures. By exploring limitations and grasping the details of P removal processes by P sorption materials (PSMs) at a large scale we can begin to develop solutions and create more feasible, effective, and economical P removal structures. The most difficult challenges at the field scale are issues associated with flow rate; specifically, premature clogging, the need to operate at flow rates high enough to treat large flow events that deliver the majority of the dissolved P, and achieving such flow rates while also ensuring proper retention time (RT) for dissolved P removal.
Edge-of-Field Research to Quantify the Impacts of Agricultural Practices on Water Quality in Ohio
Drainage throughout the high-producing agricultural lands has become a key issue for farmers. By studying the drainage systems farmers are better able to provide information to identify gaps in numerical models. Developing these higher technological systems propel tile-drained regions into more productive, and environmentally sustainable situations.
Effect of Crop Type and Season on Nutrient Leaching to Tile Drainage Under a Corn-Soybean Rotation
Subsurface tile drainage is a significant pathway for nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) transport from agricultural fields. The objective of this study was to evaluate N and P loss through tile drainage under corn and soybean production in a corn-soybean rotation typical of agricultural management across the eastern Corn Belt of the US Midwest.
Drainage Water Management Conservation Practice Overview
The purpose of regulating water in a drainage system is to manage moisture by controlling the outflow of drainage water. This practice applies to areas where drainage is needed during certain periods and where it is advantageous to limit the outflow at other times.
Drainage Water Management for Humid Regions
Agriculture drainage in humid regions involves accelerating the removal of excess water, creating more ideal farming conditions. Controlled drainage systems have allowed farmers to still drain water when needed but to reduce the amount of runoff when there is no need for access to the field.
