Managing Phosphorus for Maximum Cover Crop and Soil Health Benefit Investigators: Timothy Reinbott, Superintendent of Bradford Research Center and

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1 Managing Phosphorus for Maximum Cover Crop and Soil Health Benefit Investigators: Timothy Reinbott, Superintendent of Bradford Research Center and Dr. Randall Miles, Associate Professor, Department of Soils, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences. Objectives/Relevance The overall objective of this research is to compare cover crop production and root growth at two ph and eight phosphorus fertility applications for three years. Specific objectives are: 1. Determine if optimizing plant-available P through use of P fertilization and liming will enhance cover crop biomass and root growth. 2. Determine if enhanced cover crop biomass enhances the beneficial soil attributes of soil health and if a measurable improvement to soil health can be accelerated through improved fertility. 3. Examine effects of impacted soil health parameters on crop yields, soil water availability, runoff, soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration and plant nutrient utilization. In 2012, the USDA-NRCS began an initiative on soil health management systems that features cover crops as an integral component of good agricultural management practices. In addition, the NRCS EQIP cost share program provides funds for planting cover crops. As a result of these efforts, cover crop use is increasing in Missouri. The benefits are numerous; cover crops reduce erosion (Laloy et al., 2010) and promote microbial biomass and activities involved in decomposition, leading to increased carbon retention in soils (Drinkwater and Snapp, 2007). Cover crops can increase soil aggregate stability, total porosity, and plant available water compared with plots grown without cover crops (Villamil et al., 2006). They can increase hydraulic conductivity and water holding capacity and reduce bulk density (Keisling et al., 1994), and can reduce erosion and water runoff from agricultural fields by intercepting raindrops and increasing infiltration (Snapp et al., 2005). Cover crops can also sequester nitrogen that would instead be lost to leaching or denitrification (Reinbott et al, 2004). To gain maximum benefit from cover crops and their associated improvements to soil health, more needs to be known about fertility and liming enhancement for cover crop growth and development. Growing productive cover crops could require additional fertility inputs. Procedures This project will be conducted for three years at the Bradford Research Center in Columbia, MO on a Mexico silt loam soil. The experiment will include the following treatments: Cover Crops: Two treatments will include no cover crop and cereal rye/hairy vetch mix. Tillage: Treatments will be planted no-till. Management of ph: Lime will be applied to achieve ph levels of 6.0 and 7.0. Phosphorus: Monoammonium phosphate (MAP) will be applied at the levels of 0, 25, 50, or 75 lb P 2 O 5 /acre and will be applied in either spring or fall to the growing cover crop and control plots. MAP is used for its lower P fixation rate. Crops: Corn will follow the cover crop. Design: Each treatment will be replicated four times in a randomized complete block split plot design using multiple splits to accommodate the treatments outlined below. Number of plots = 2 cover crop treatments x 2 ph treatments x 4 P treatments (including one control) x 2 application seasons x 4 replications = 128 plots. Cultural Practices: The experiment will be initiated in early spring 2015 with a lime application. Cover crops will be planted in fall 2015, following soybean. In mid to late April of 2016, depending upon soil conditions, corn will be planted and afterward sprayed with pre-emergent herbicides and glyphosate (which will kill the cover crop). After corn emergence, 160 lb N/acre of ammonium nitrate will be applied. This will be repeated in subsequent years. Measurements: Initial and yearly soil samples will be analyzed at the MU Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory and the MU Soil Health Laboratory. Testing will be done for total soil organic carbon (SOC), biologically available SOC, ph (water and salt), Bray 1 and Bray 2 P, aggregate stability, infiltration rates (double ringconstant head), exchangeable cations and CEC. Prior to cover crop termination two 2 ft 2 areas from each cover crop plot will be harvested for above ground biomass and below ground biomass (6 inches) and weighed. At silking, ear leaf macronutrient content will be determined on each P treatment. Corn yield will be determined by harvesting the two middle rows from each plot.

2 Current status/importance of research Phosphorus, an essential element in organic compounds, can be more plant growth limiting than N in humid environment agricultural systems (Stevenson, 1987). Most plant-available soil P is in the soil organic matter (SOM), as mineral P is fixed (not plant-available) in soils by Fe, Al, and Ca compounds at ph values both above and below the plant-available optimum ph of 7 (Dalal, 1977; Stevenson, 1987). Reinbott and Blevins (1997) found that annual applications of P were necessary to increase and maintain spring and fall leaf Mg and Ca content in tall fescue growing on soils that ranged from very low to very high in available P. Sojka et al. (1984) reported that agricultural nutrient cycling is affected by cover crop species composition and advised understanding crop-specific nutrient dynamics. Sharpley and Menzel (1987) found that sustainable SOM dynamics depend upon adequate quantities of plant-available P, the balance among N, P, S and C in the SOM, and active, diverse microbial populations. Kumar and Goh (2000), noting the direct and indirect benefits of soil health when SOM is optimized, stated that system-specific (soil, climate, crop, management) approaches and functional soil microbial populations are required to identify, establish and maintain optimum SOM values. The need for better understanding of P in SOM, particularly for environmental quality and sustainable productivity was confirmed by Iyameuremye and Dick (1996), who noted the importance of microbial activity, and expressed great surprise that organic soil P has received so little research attention. Walker and his coworkers (Walker and Adams, 1958 and 1950; Walker et al., 1959) reported that SOC storage cannot be maximized unless plant-available soil P is not limiting to plant growth over several years. They also observed that nutrient cycling was most efficient when the N:P:S:C ratios were optimized, which was possible only when P was not limiting. Haynes (1984) reported that microbial activity increases when soils with ph less than 6.0 are limed, and this increase in microbial activity enhances P mineralization from organic materials. He also found that liming increases N fixation by inoculated legumes, and that narrowing the C:N ratio by N fixation increases mineralization (which includes release of organic P). These results point to the importance of plantavailable soil P as a key in rapidly optimizing and sustaining soil health with cover crops. Expected economic impact of the research Cover crops can increase nutrient use efficiency and reduce nutrient loss from leaching and erosion. The NRCS estimates soil loss from erosion in Missouri at 5 tons/acre. The USDA-ERS values soil productivity at $1.27/ton of soil. With an average farm size of 330 acres in Missouri, cutting erosion by half can lead to savings in $1047 per farm per year. Improved yields from better P and N retention will also contribute further savings as will improved soil organic matter levels and improved water retention. The 2014 SARE cover crop report showed an average yield increase of 5 bu/a for corn and 2 bu/a for soybean in fields where cover crops were utilized ( This translates to a gross revenue increase of $13,612 per Missouri farm. Timetable for proposed research Date March 2015 May 2015 Oct 2015 March 2016 April 2016 Sept 2016 March 2016 April 2016 Sept 2016 March 2017 April 2017 Sept 2017 Activity Take baseline soil tests, apply lime to achieve desired ph levels Plant soybean into plot area Harvest soybean, Apply P for fall treatments, Plant winter cover crops (CC) Apply P for spring treatments Collect roots and above ground biomass of CC, plant corn, collect soil samples Harvest corn, Apply P for fall treatments, Plant winter CC Apply P for spring treatments Collect roots and above ground biomass of CC, plant corn, collect soil samples Harvest corn, Apply P for fall treatments, Plant winter CC Apply P for spring treatments Collect roots and above ground biomass of CC, plant corn, collect soil samples Harvest corn, Apply P for fall treatments, plant winter CC Strategy for application/transfer of knowledge Results of this study will be used to demonstrate the benefits of proper ph and P levels on cover crop growth and soil health. Results will be disseminated at MU annual field days and workshops, including the Crop Injury and Diagnostic Clinic and the Bradford Research Center (BREC) cover crop and soil health field days and workshops. Written information will be sent to NRCS county offices and regional Extension personnel for inclusion in producer newsletters and meetings. The information gained from this project will be presented at annual meetings of professional societies (such as American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society, and

3 Soil Science Society of America) and will be published in a refereed journal. Photos and research results will also be posted on the cover crop page of BREC web site Budget Budget Item YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3 TOTAL Salary and benefits Research Specialist $9,500 $23,200 $23,896 $56,596 Supplies Crop and cover crop seed $600 $600 $600 $1,800 Fertilizer and lime $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $3,000 Other Leaf nutrient testing $1,920 $1,920 $3,840 Soil nutrient analyses $1,280 $1,280 $1,280 $3,840 Biologically available carbon $640 $640 $640 $1,920 Total organic carbon $640 $640 $640 $1,920 Exchangeable cations $640 $640 $640 $1,920 TOTAL DIRECT COSTS $14,300 $29,920 $30,616 $74,836 Budget Justification The research specialist will conduct laboratory testing for soil properties and will take soil and tissue samples in field, dig roots and maintain research plots. Costs include salary and benefits. This research consists of 128 plots. Soil nutrient analysis, including ph, Bray 1 and Bray 2 P and CEC will cost $10/sample. Tests for biologically active carbon, total carbon and exchangeable cations are $5 each per test. Leaf macronutrient testing is $15/sample. References Dabney, S.M., J.A. Delgado and D.W. Reeves Using winter cover crops to improve soil and water quality. Commun Soil Sci. Plant Anal.. 32(7-8): Dalal, R.C Soil organic phosphorus. Advan. Agron. 29: Drinkwater, L.E. and S.S. Snapp Nutrients in agroecosystems: Rethinking the management paradigm. Adv. Agron. 92: Haynes, R.J Lime and phosphate in the soil-plant system. Advan. Agron. 37: Iyameuremye, F. and R.P. Dick Organic amendments and P sorption by soils. Advan. Agron. 56: Keisling, T. C., H.D. Scott, B.A.Wwaddle, W. Williams and R.E. Frans Winter cover crops influence cotton yield and selected soil properties. Commun Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 25: Kumar, K. and K.M. Goh Crop residues and management practices: Effects on soil quality, soil nitrogen dynamics, crop yield, and nitrogen recovery. Advan. Agron. 68: Laloy, E. and C. L. Bielders Effect of intercropping period management on runoff and erosion in a maize cropping system. J. Environ. Qual. 39: (2010). doi: /jeq Reinbott, T.M. and D.G. Blevins Phosphorus and magnesium fertilization interaction with soil phosphorus level: Tall fescue yield and mineral element content. J. Production Agriculture. 10: Reinbott, T.M., S.P. Conley, and D.B. Blevins No-tillage corn and grain sorghum response to cover crop and nitrogen fertilization. Agron. J. 96: Sharpley, A.N. and R.G. Menzel The impact of soil and fertilizer P on the environment. Advan. Agron. 41: Snapp, S.S., S.M. Swinton, R. Labartha, D. Mutch, J.R. Black, R. Leep, J. Nyiraneza and K. O Neil Evaluating cover crops for benefits, costs and performance within cropping system niches. Agron. J. 97: Doran 1987 Sojka, R.E., G.W. Langdale and D.L. Karlen Vegetative techniques for reducing water erosion of cropland in the Southeastern United States. Advan. Agron. 37: Stevenson, F.J Cycles of soil. John Wiley & Sons, NY. Villamil, M. B., G.A. Bollero, R.G. Darmody, F.W. Simmons, and D.G. Bullock No-till corn/soybean systems including winter cover crops. Effects on soil properties. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 70: Walker, T.W. and A.F.R. Adams Studies on soil organic matter, 1: Influence of phosphorus content of parent materials on accumulations of carbon, nitrogen sulfur and organic phosphorus in grassland soils. Soil Sci. 85: Walker, T.W. and A.F.R. Adams Studies on soil organic matter, 2: Influence of increased leaching at various stages of weathering on levels of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and organic and total phosphorus. Soil Sci. 87: Walker, T.W., B.K. Thapa and A.F.R. Adams Studies on soil organic matter, 3: Accumulation of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, organic and total phosphorus in improved grassland soils. Soil Sci. 87:

4 TIMOTHY MARTIN REINBOTT Bradford Research Center 4968 S. Rangeline Road Columbia, MO Web Site: Education MS-Agronomy, University of Missouri, 1986, Thesis Title: Intercropping soybeans into standing green wheat BS-Agronomy, University of Missouri, 1984 Professional Experience October 2000-present: Research Associate and Superintendent Bradford Research Center January 2000-October 2000: Interim Superintendent Agronomy Research Center September 15, 1987-January 2000: Research Associate at the University of Missouri, Agronomy Department. Educational Activities During the past 10 years I have developed numerous educational activities and field days that draw several thousand primary, secondary, and undergraduate students to the Bradford Research Center each year. In 2007 I began a program in cooperation with the Horticulture Department where produce grown for research and educational purposes is sold to the MU Campus Dining Services. These funds are then used to sponsor undergraduate research activities in Horticulture. In 2011 we started a closed loop system where food waste from Campus Dining is composted which is then used to grow vegetable for Campus Dining. Membership in Professional Organizations American Society of Agronomy and the Crop Science Society of America, Madison WI Section and Community Chair-Land Management American Society of Agronomy Board Rep Cover Crop Community Chair-2014 Land Management and Conservation Section Chair Elect-2015 Recent Awards 2014: Columbia Chamber of Commerce 2014 Agriculturalist of the Year 2011: MU College of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources Alumni Citation of Merit 2009: Missouri Department of Conservation Private Lands Division-Citation of Merit 2009: MU College of Agriculture Mumford Award for Outstanding Service Refereed Journal Articles Reinbott, T.M., Conley, S.P., and D. G. Blevins No-Tillage Corn and Grain Sorghum Response to Cover Crop and Nitrogen Fertilization. Agronomy Journal. 96: Lock, T.R., Kallenbach, R.L., Blevins, D.G., Reinbott, T.M., Crawford, R.J., Massie, M.D., and G.J. Bishop-Hurley Phosphorus Fertilization of Tall Fescue Pastures May Protect Beef Cows from Hypomagnesaemia and Improve Gain in Nursing Calves. Crop Management. Doi: /CM RS.

5 Lock, T.R., Kallenbach, R.L., Blevins, D.G., Reinbott, T.M., Bishop-Hurley, G.J., Crawford, R.J., Massie, M.D., and J.W. Tyler Adequate soil phosphorus decreases the grass tetany potential of tall fescue pasture. Crop Management. Doi: /CM RS. Reinbott T. M. and D.G. Blevins Phosphorus nutritional effects on root hydraulic conductance, xylem water flow and flux of magnesium and calcium in squash plants. Plant and Soil. 209: Blevins, D.G. and T.M. Reinbott Impact of phosphorus nutrition on magnesium, calcium, and water status of plants. In Pennsylvania State Root Biology Proceedings. J. Lynch (ed). Pp Reinbott, T.M., D.G. Blevins and M.K. Schon Content of boron and other elements in main stem and branch leaves and seed of soybean. J. Plant Nutrition. 20: Reinbott, T.M. and D.G. Blevins Phosphorus and magnesium fertilization interaction with soil phosphorus level: Tall fescue yield and mineral element content. J. Production Agriculture. 10: Blevins, D.G., C.L. Scrivner, T.M. Reinbott and M. K. Schon Foliar boron increases berry number and yield of two highbush blueberry cultivars in Missouri. J. Plant Nutrition. 19: Dietrich, J.T., M. Kaminek, M., D.G. Blevins, T.M. Reinbott and R.O. Morris Changes in cytokinins and cytokinin oxidase in developing maize kernels and the effects of exogenous cytokinin on kernel development. Plant Physiol. Biochem. 33: Reinbott, T. M. and D. G. Blevins Multi-year use of killed-strips for forage and grain sorghum production in a tall fescue pasture. J. Production Agriculture. 8: Reinbott, T.M. and D.G. Blevins Response of soybean to foliar-applied boron and magnesium and soil-applied boron. J. Plant Nutrition. 18: Reinbott, T.M. and D.G. Blevins Phosphorus and temperature effects on magnesium, calcium and potassium in wheat and tall fescue leaves. Agron. J. 86: Morris, R.O., Blevins, D.G., Dietrich, J.T., Durley, R.C., Gelvin, S.B., Gray, J., Hommes, N.G., Kaminek, M., Matthews, L.J., Meilan, R., Reinbott, T.M. and L. Sayavedrasoto Cytokinins in plant pathogenic bacteria and developing cereal grains. Aust. J. Plant Physiol. 20: Reinbott, T. M. and D. G. Blevins Phosphate interaction with uptake and leaf composition of magnesium, calcium, and potassium in winter wheat seedlings. Agron. J. 83: Reinbott, T.M., Z.R. Helsel, D.G. Helsel, M.R. Gebhardt, and H.C. Minor Intercropping soybeans into standing green wheat. Agron. J. 79: Extension/Popular Articles Pierce, R. A., White, B., Reinbott, T., & Wright, R. (2014). Integrating Practices That Benefit Wildlife With Crops Grown for Biomass in Missouri. Reinbott, T., Pierce, I. I., Robert, A., White, B., Jacobs, B., & Navarrete-Tindall, N. (2006). Integrating Northern Bobwhite and Grassland Bird Habitat Enhancement Practices on University of Missouri Agriculture Experiment Stations: An Educational Model That Puts Knowledge into Action through Use of Demonstrations. Lock, T.R., Kallenbach, R.L., Blevins, D.G., Reinbott, T.M., Crawford Jr., R.J., Massie, M.D., and Bishop-Hurley, G.J Soil Phosphorus may be important to beef herd health and performance. Better Crops with Plant Food. 85:4-5. Reinbott, T, Mattas, R., and Blevins, D Low phosphorus soils cause major problems with forage and livestock production. Better Crops with Plant Food. 81: Blevins, D.G., Reinbott, T.M. and Boyce, P.J Foliar fertilization of soybeans with boron and magnesium: Plant physiology. PPI/FAR Technical Bulletin , Potash & Phosphate Inst. and Foundation for Agronomic Research Publ., Norcross, GA, p.1-6. Blevins, D. G., M. LeNoble, K. Lukaszewski, T. Reinbott and R. Miles Physiological aspects of alfalfa root growth. In: Alfalfa Production in Missouri: A manual. Craig Roberts (ed).

6 Scrivner, C. L., D. G. Blevins, M. K. Schon and T. M. Reinbott Effects of foliar boron applications on yield of Collins and Blueray blueberries. In: Missouri Small Fruits Conf. Proc., State Fruit Exp. Stn., Mountain Grove. P. L. Byers (ed). Vol. 11: Blevins, D. G. and T. M. Reinbott Foliar Fertilization of Soybeans in Missouri. Proc. North Central Ext.-Indust. Soil Fert. Conf., Vol. 7:

7 VITAE RANDALL J. MILES PRESENT POSITION: Associate Professor of Soil Science School of Natural Resources University of Missouri 334 Anheuser Bush Natural Resource Building Columbia, MO Telephone: (573) Fax: (573) EDUCATION: B.S. in Agronomy (with Distinction), 1974, Purdue University M.S. in Agronomy (Soil Genesis), 1976, Purdue University Ph.D. in Soil Science (Soil Genesis), 1981, Texas A&M University PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS: Soil Science Society of America International Soil Science Society American Society of Agronomy National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association Soil and Water Conservation Society Missouri Association of Professional Soil Scientists Missouri Smallflows Organization CURRENT RESEARCH: Dr. Miles current research deals with on-site wastewater treatment and disposal and soil site characteristics. He is Director of the Missouri SmallFlows Wastewater Education/Research Training Center. He is Director of Historical Sanborn Field, the third oldest continuous research field in the world. He is also curator of the Historical Duley-Miller soil erosion plots. Dr. Miles also works in the soils and archaeology arena. He also works in the soil genesis, morphology and soil survey area. His major emphasis in these areas has been in soil landscape genesis, zones of water saturation in soil landscapes, and fragipan formation. Additionally, he has worked with land application of biosolids and assessment of soil acidity and aluminum activity. He teaches Introduction to Soil Science; Genesis of Soil Landscapes; Pedology; and coaches the MU soil judging team. REFERREED PUBLICATIONS (selected): Sims, A., J. Horton, S. Gajaraj, S. McIntosh, R.J. Miles, R. Mueller, R. Reed, Z. Hu Temporal and spatial distributions of ammonia-oxidizing archea and bacteria and their ratio as an indicator of oligotrophic conditions in natural wetlands. Water Research 46: doi: /j.watres Hamilton, E.J., Miles, R.J., Lukaszewska, K.M., Remley, M., Massie, M, and D. G. Blevins Liming of two acidic soils improved grass tetany ratio of stockpiled tall fescue with increasing plant available phosphorus. Journal of Plant Nutrition 35:1-14

8 Myers, D.B., Kitchen, N.R., Sudduth, K.A., Miles, R.J., Sadler, E.J., Grunwald, S Peak functions for modeling high resolution soil profile data. Geoderma. 166(1): DOI: /j.geoderma Stiles, C.A., Hammer, R.D., Ferguson, R., Johnson, M.G., Galbraith, J., O Geen, T., Arriage, J., Shaw, J., Falen, A., Miles, R., and McDaniel, P Validation testing of a portable kit for measuring an active soil carbon fraction. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 75: Miles, R.J. and J.R. Brown The Sanborn Field Experiment: Implications for Long-Term Soil Organic Carbon Levels. Agron.J. 103: O'Donnell, T. K., Goyne, K.W., Miles, R.J., Baffaut, C., Anderson, S.H., and Sudduth, K.A., Determination of representative elementary area of soil redoximorphic features identified by digital image processing. Geoderma 161: O'Donnell, T. K., Goyne, K.W., Miles, R.J., Baffaut, C., Anderson, S.H., and Sudduth, K.A., Identification and quantification of soil redoximorphic features by digital image processing. Geoderma 157: Lindbo, David, Randy Miles, DeAnn Presley, and Nora E. Ransom Soil Profile Descriptions. p In Soil Science: Step-by-Step Field Analysis; Sally Logsdon, Dave Clay, Demi Moore, and Terefi Tsegaye, editors. Soil Science Society of America, 677 S. Segoe Road, Madison, WI. Lindbo, David, Randy Miles, and DeAnn Presley Principles of Site Evaluation. p In Soil Science: Step-by-Step Field Analysis; Sally Logsdon, Dave Clay, Demi Moore, and Terefi Tsegaye, editors. Soil Science Society of America, 677 S. Segoe Road, Madison, WI. Motavalli, P.P., M.D. Patton, and R.J. Miles Use of Web-Based Student Extension Publications to Improve Undergraduate Student Writing Skills. J. Nat. Resour. Life Sci. Educ. 36: Myers, D.B., Kitchen, N.R., Sudduth, K.A., Sharp, R.E. and Miles, R.J., Soybean root distribution related to claypan soil properties and apparent soil electrical conductivity. Crop Science 47, Jordan, D., R.J. Miles, V.C. Hubbard, and T. Lorenz Effect of management practices and cropping systems on earthworm abundance and microbial activity in Sanborn Field: 115-year old agricultural field. Pedobiol.J. 48: Motavalli, P.P. and R.J. Miles Soil phosphorus fractions after 111years of animal manure and fertilizer applications. Biol Fert Soils 36: SPECIAL PROFESSIONAL DUTIES AND HONORS/AWARDS: President, Missouri Association of Professional Soil Scientists, Gamma Sigma Delta Superior Undergraduate Teaching Award, 1989 Sigma Xi, President of Missouri Chapter, Excellence in Teaching Award, College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, 1993 President, Missouri SmallFlows Organization, Governor s Award for Quality and Productivity as member of the On-site Sewage team to write legislation and formulate education programs, 1996 Most Inspiring Professor, MU Inter-Collegiate Athletics Counsel, 2000 MU Excellence in Education Award sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs and MU Parents Association, 2002 Most Outstanding Faculty Member, Winter 2004 and Fall 2005, School of Natural Resources Student Council. Outstanding Educator, 2005, State-wide Show-Me Chapter, Soil and Water Conservation Society Golden Apple Teaching Award- CAFNR, Winter 2005 Outstanding Service Award for training and education, Missouri Smallflows Organization, 2011