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 Management Research: Morris, MN
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                                    Software
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    CareersSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Midwest Area Morris, Minnesota Soil Management Research Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            Johnson, Janeitem
                                            Archer, Daviditem
                                            Weyers, Sharonitem
                                            Barbour, Nancyitem
                                            Eklund, Jamesitem
                                            Wilts, Alan
  Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
                                    Publication Type: Abstract Only
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 11/4/2004
                                    Publication  Date: 11/4/2004
                                    Citation: Johnson, J.M., Archer, D.W., Lachnicht Weyers, S.L., Barbour, N.W., Eklund, J.J., Wilts, A.R. 2004. Comparison of soil biological indicators during three year transition from conventional to alternative and organic cropping systems [CD-ROM]. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. Madison, Wisconsin.Interpretive Summary:
                                Technical Abstract: Contrasts of management strategies are essential for integrating benefits and risks into the identification of economically viable and environmentally sustainable farming systems. It is hypothesized that minimizing tillage, diversifying crop rotation and utilizing organic cropping systems, as alternative management strategies, can improve soil quality and enhance sustainability. In 2002, field plots of long-term cropping systems were established in central MN. Contrasts of organic vs. conventional systems with two- or four-year crop rotations and conventional or strip tillage were made. A period of transition was expected after introducing alternative management strategies; therefore, crop yields and soil physical, chemical and biological factors were monitored annually for the three years after initiation of treatments. Differences in microbial biomass C (MBC) were observed between organic and conventional. By the second year of the experiment, organic system plots treated with manure had 5 to 24% more MBC under strip till and conventional till, respectively, compared to conventional systems' plots without manure. Except for organic systems with conventional tillage, increased crop diversity with the four year crop rotation appeared to increase MBC by the second year of the experiment.


Return to top


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