Seven Experiential Learning Fellows in a USDA-funded program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln spent their summer 2017 working with scientists, reviewing and conducting research, and developing Extension education to convey research findings to growers for field application. This article describes the program and links to their articles on timely topics from cover crops to soil management.
Researchers in south central Nebraska examined potential effects of planting rye and a rye-mix cover crop following wheat and prior to corn in rain-fed conditions. Based on their findings, they offer two take-home messages for cover crop growers.
How do different tillage systems affect CO2 and what factors contribute to fluxes? These were the questions addressed by students and agronomists studying long-term tillage and no-till plots in eastern Nebraska.
Can a residue from sugarbeet processing in western Nebraska be used to increase soil carbon? Researchers share the first year of data examining the effects on soil carbon and soil physical properties from using high-C char.