AMES, Iowa – A group of Chinese academics and professionals representing water resource and forestry disciplines recently visited the Iowa Nutrient Research Center and colleagues at Iowa State University and the University of Iowa. Read more about Chinese delegation visits INRC, IIHR to learn about water management, conservation in Iowa
FINAL REPORT
This project aimed to investigate the above- and below-ground nutrient dynamics and the potential of using perennial ground cover (PGC) to reduce non-point nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. Two cool-season perennial grass species, Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and bulbous bluegrass (Poa bulbosa), a species with a distinct and extended summer dormancy, were grown as PGC in otherwise conventionally grown corn to study this potential management practice. Read more about Perennial Turfgrass Cover Crops in Maize Production Systems Feb 2024
We have conducted sediment characterization and sampling and erosion potential surveys at locations along the mainstem of Walnut Creek. We have also continued the maintenance of existing flow and nutrient monitoring stations, and have worked to establish additional stations. Read more about Linking agricultural practices to water quality improvement: The importance of spatial scale in accurately characterizing nonpoint source nutrient loads in Iowa stream systems Jan 2024
The six upflow columns constructed as lab-scale representation bioreactors are continuing to run. They have completed three months at 8 h HRT (ideal flow rate) and have moved on to the second treatment of an increased 16 h HRT flow rate. In early October, three columns (all corncob) were not operating correctly. After troubleshooting, we decided to replace corncobs, tubing and pumps. Fresh cobs were collected and were inoculated in the columns with fresh tile water for a week. These fresh corncobs were also used for DNA extraction. Read more about Unlocking the bioreactor microbiome for nutrient management and water quality Dec 2023
The bulk of the work this semester was directed at revising the final report for the 2022 Iowa Farmland Ownership and Tenure Survey (IFOTS) and extending that work for potential publication. The revised full description of the survey and the results is provided at https://www.card.iastate.edu/farmland/ownership/farmland-ownership-tenure-2022.pdf/.
Graduate student Kayleigh Zechmeister collected water samples at two prairie pothole locations, walnut (with blind inlet) and bunny (traditional inlet), and is preparing a water quality summary report on the limited samples from ponded water and drainage water. The phosphorus removal blind inlet funded by the Iowa Nutrient Research Center and installed July 2021 south of Ames, IA originally had a 12-inch cap of coarse sand installed over the bed of rock aggregate and shredded steel phosphorus sorption material. Read more about Reducing Phosphorus Export through Farmed Pothole Surface Inlets with P Filters and Blind Inlets Dec 2023
Marty St. Clair was hired effective September 1, 2023 to manage the nutrient sensor network. His background, in addition to teaching analytical chemistry at Coe College for 30 years, includes long term water quality monitoring collaborations with Cedar Rapids Utilities and multiple watershed management authorities. He is working with the Iowa Geological Survey to create a laboratory accessible to nutrient sensor staff which will allow for confirmation of sensor site nitrate concentrations via an independent analytical technique (ion chromatography). Read more about IIHR water quality research plan Jan 2024
The study field was sampled monthly (4-week intervals) from March to October. In each round of sampling, 100 surface samples (15 centimeters or 6 inches) were collected, packed and sent to a commercial laboratory for further fertility analysis. The properties analyzed include nitrate (NO3), phosphorus (P1 and P2), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), pH, buffer pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and organic matter. Traditional statistics were calculated for each round of samples to explore the data distribution. Read more about Spatial models for scaling optimal nutrient management research from plot to field and watershed scales Jan 2024
Over the past six months, our team has been diligently working on the two primary objectives of our grant. Under Objective 1, we analyzed various WEPP tools and spreadsheet load estimators for estimating sediment and phosphorus transport. This phase also included selecting experimental fields and small watersheds with existing nutrient data, vital for testing our modeling approaches. Read more about Equipping conservation practitioners with quantitative estimations of sediment and P reduction from BMPs Jan 2024
Project leaders recruited new team members Zhengyuan Zhu, Hao Sun and Laurie Nowatzke to assist with analysis and writing.
Analyzed Nutrient Reduction Strategy (NRS) farmer survey data on farmers' use of cover crops and no-till over time. Working on a manuscript from NRS data. Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll 2023 data collected, developed longitudinal database.
Other Activities
10 presentations.
