Bio-Fuel Cropping Systems Effects On Soil Quality.

Research was conducted to determine the effect of nutrient management practices on bio-fuel crop production, and to evaluate long term effects of bio-fuel crop production on selected chemical, physical and microbiological properties. Experimental plots for research on bio-fuel crops production were established in 2008 at the Bradford and Greenley Research and Extension Centers. The experimental design was an 8x3 factorial laid out in a split plot design. The main plots were eight bio-fuel cropping systems: 1)continuous corn for grain (CCG), 2) continuous corn for grain and stover removal (CCGS), 3) corn-soybean rotation for grain (CSG), 4)soybean-corn rotation for grain (SCG), 5) sweet sorghum-wheat double crop (SSW), 6) miscanthus (MIS), 7) switch grass (SWI) and 8) tall fescue (TF). Subplots received the fertilizer treatments: 1) MU recommended P and K with a 4 year buildup 2) fertilizer recommendations based on annual crop removal values and 3) control without P and K. Soil samples were collected for soil fertility analysis (pH, P, K, Ca, Mg, OM and CEC), organic and total N, wet aggregate stability, and potential C and N mineralization using selected enzyme assays. Grain yield, and dry matter production and nutrient uptake measurements were made. A preliminary report on effects of bio-fuel cropping systems on soil quality will be presented.