Kansas State State University has received more than $16.3 million for a study to address fragmented research on the interplay between agricultural management and local environmental conditions.
Led by Kansas State researchers Dorivar Ruiz Diaz and Brian Olson, alongside Sotirios Archontoulis from Iowa State University, the study will investigate the impact of crop, soil, and water management on soil microbial communities crucial for agroecosystem functions in the U.S. Corn Belt and Great Plains.
The bulk of the funding — more than $7.6 million — will come from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research; Bayer Crop Science has contributed $4.6 million, and additional support has been provided by various institutions.
Over five years, the research will assess the impacts of cover crops, nitrogen use, crop rotation, tillage, and water management on soil microbial communities, with a commitment to extending support for five years beyond the initial grant period.
“This project will generate much-needed knowledge on the synergies and trade-offs of multi-level management factors improving agricultural productivity with conservation management across soils and environments, including water, nutrient cycling, soil carbon and soil health,” Ruiz Diaz said.
Enhancing current soil health management practices requires a profound understanding of the connections among crop yields, soil properties, and soil water content, FFAR noted in a release. This knowledge, the group added, is vital for informing effective agricultural water management, a key element in securing food resources and minimizing environmental impacts.
“This integrated field research and modeling effort will provide insights critical to improving field operations and sustaining vibrant agroecosystems across diverse landscapes,” Kathleen Boomer, FFAR's scientific program director, said.
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