U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Soil Dynamics Research: Auburn, AL
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                                    Software
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    Careers


        


                    ARS in Auburn
                        Auburn Location
                                    Aquatic Animal Health Research
                    YouTube Videos!Search small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




Aerial view of soil bins at this unit. These unique soil bins have been used to research tillage implements and tire interaction with various soil types. Scientists are currently using this for studies on how farming practices impact our global carbon footprint.
 Cover crops have been used in the southeastern United States to control erosion, suppress weeds, and improve soil conservation. The Soil Dynamics Research Unit is a leader in cover crop management research to maximize cover crop benefits, while maintaining grower profitability.
 A conservation system combines conservation tillage and high residue cover crops to minimize surface soil disturbance and maximize surface residue to enhance soil physical, chemical, and biological properties.  Research designed to improve the soil ultimately results in greater yields, profits, and soil health for the growers.
 Cotton growing in rolled black oat (*Avena strigosa* Schreb.) residue.  Cover crop residue suppresses weed emergence and growth.  Research continues looking at utilizing cover crop monoculture and mixtures for weed suppression in conservation systems.
 Shallow subsurface band application of poultry litter (manure) is achieved with this prototype implement, designed and developed at the National Soils Dynamics Laboratory.  Application with this implement substantially reduces nutrients in runoff water, thereby improving runoff water quality, compared to conventional broadcast application.
 Erosion is be a huge problem for soil management. Our scientists study methods to reduce nutrient loss due to erosion. Rainfall simulation studies allow them to carefully control the variables for accurate results.
 These chambers contain a select group of plants used in this environmental project. A team of technicians measure the plant growth and development during the length of the study. At the completion of the project the root system will also be carefully analyzed.


Research Projects
                            More... Agronomic and Engineering Solutions for Conventional and Organic Conservation Agricultural Systems in the Southeastern U.S. Integrated Crop Disease Mitigation through Improved Understanding of Relationships between Genetics, Environment, and Management Sustaining Productivity and Ecosystem Services of Agricultural and Horticultural Systems in the Southeastern United States


Check out the NSDL Highlights, **Spring 2024 Edition!** Want older editions? Click this button: A Simple Guide to Conservation Systems in the Southeast Research areas:           Conservation Systems           Global Change           Waste ManagementAbout the National Soil Dynamics Laboratory.


Southeast Area   allen.torbert@usda.gov


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov