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
 Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory: Mandan, ND
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                                    Software
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    Careers


        


                    Employment
                        Work With Us
                                    ARS Vacancies at USDAJOBS
                    Local News
                        INTEGRATOR
                                    Bottom Line Ag SummitSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Plains Area Mandan, North Dakota Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory 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
- IACUC Executive Minutes

Title:   Author  item
                                            Nichols, Kristineitem
                                            Archer, Daviditem
                                            Halvorson, Jonathanitem
                                            Hendrickson, Johnitem
                                            Johnson, Hollyitem
                                            Kronberg, Scottitem
                                            Liebig, Markitem
                                            MOYER, JEFF - Rodale Instituteitem
                                            Sanderson, Mattitem
                                            SMALLWOOD, MARK - Rodale Institute
  Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
                                    Publication Type: Abstract Only
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 8/28/2014
                                    Publication  Date: 11/3/2014
                                    Citation: Nichols, K.A., Archer, D.W., Halvorson, J.J., Hendrickson, J.R., Johnson, H.A., Kronberg, S.L., Liebig, M.A., Moyer, J., Sanderson, M.A., Smallwood, M. 2014. Cover cropping impacts on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and soil aggregation. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. Online. www.agronomy.org.Interpretive Summary:
                                Technical Abstract: Cover crops are a management tool which can extend the period of time that a living plant is growing and conducting photosynthesis. This is critical for soil health, because most of the soil organisms, particularly the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, are limited by carbon. Research, on-farm, and demonstration plot studies indicate that continuous cropping (i.e. eliminating crop-fallow) and inclusion of cover crops or green manure crops enhance mycorrhizal activity, glomalin production, and soil aggregation. Increases in mycorrhizal activity increase nutrient cycling and nutrient acquisition and improve plant resiliency under changing climatic conditions. In addition, soil aggregation creates soil with numerous stable pores for better water infiltration and water-holding capacity, and soil within aggregates also resists wind and water erosion. Finally, because cover crops increase the overall input of carbon into the soil and carbon compounds, even labile ones, within aggregates are less susceptible to decomposition, this may make a substantial difference in soil carbon storage.


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