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Title:   Author  item
                                            Stott, Dianeitem
                                            Jin, Virginiaitem
                                            Ducey, Thomasitem
                                            Karlen, Douglasitem
                                            Varvel, Garyitem
                                            Johnson, Janeitem
                                            Baker, Johnitem
                                            Osborne, Shannonitem
                                            Novak, Jeffreyitem
                                            Adler, Paulitem
                                            ROTH, GREG - Pennsylvania State Universityitem
                                            BIRRELL, STUART - Iowa State University
  Submitted to: Sungrant Initiative
                                    Publication Type: Proceedings
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 6/12/2012
                                    Publication  Date: 1/15/2013
                                    Citation: Stott, D.E., Jin, V.L., Ducey, T.F., Karlen, D.L., Varvel, G.E., Johnson, J.M., Baker, J.M., Osborne, S.L., Novak, J.M., Adler, P.R., Roth, G.W., Birrell, S.J. 2013. Influence of corn stover harvest on soil quality assessments at multiple locations across the U.S. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2012 National Conference: Science for Biomass Feedstock Production and Utilization, October 2-5, 2012, New Orleans, LA. Sungrant Initiative. www.sungrant.tennessee.edu/NatConference.Interpretive Summary:
                                Technical Abstract: Corn stover has been identified as a biofuel feedstock due to its abundance and a perception that the residues are unused trash material. However, corn stover and other plant residues play a role in maintaining soil quality (health) and enhancing productivity, thus use of this abundant material as feedstock must be balanced with the need to protect the vital soil resource. Plant residues provide physical protection against erosion by wind and water, contribute to soil structure, nutrient cycling, and help sustain the soil microbiota. Replicated plots were established on productive soils at several locations (IA, IN, MN, NE, PA, SD, and SC) and a multi-year study was carried out to determine the amount of corn stover that can be removed while maintaining the current level of soil quality for each soil. These sites represented a range of soil types and climatic conditions, and have been ongoing for and least five years with some much longer studies. All sites had at least three levels of stover harvest: grain only (control), maximum removal (90-100%) and a mid-range removal rate (~50%). Data from 4 sites are presented (IA, IN, MN, and NE). The Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF) was used to score and assess changes in selected soil quality indicators. Data shows that removal at the highest rates resulted in some loss in soil quality with respect to soil organic carbon and bulk density. These sites were converted to no-till when the experiments were initiated, thus SOC accrual because of the shift in tillage management appeared to balance any losses due to feedstock harvest.


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