By Andi Anderson
Dr. Osler Ortez has received funding from the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) for a study on increasing water productivity, soil carbon, and sustainability in integrated multi-crop systems.
The large-scale project will be conducted across the U.S. Corn Belt and Great Plains and will explore the effects of soil, crop, and water management on soil microbial communities and agroecosystem functions.
The research team includes experts from Kansas State University, Ohio State University, Iowa State, Mississippi State, and the University of Kansas. Major industry collaborators include Bayer Crop Science and LiCOR.
Ohio’s focus within the project is to examine the productivity effects of crop management practices on corn, soybean, and wheat.
“We’re collecting field-scale data on multiple management factors like cover cropping, tillage, nitrogen application, and crop rotation,” said Dr. Ortez. “This will help us determine the long-term impacts on productivity, soil health, and greenhouse gas emissions.”
PhD student Sumita Sen, who is contributing fieldwork and analysis from the Ohio site in Perrysburg, added, “This project will help us understand the agronomic complexity of current cropping systems and guide sustainable choices.”
The project spans eight research sites across Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Mississippi, and Ohio. One of its goals is to feed field-scale data into models that help predict cropping system performance under various conditions.
With agriculture increasingly challenged by extreme weather and resource limitations, this project aims to provide science-backed strategies for long-term sustainability.
“This public-private and multi-state partnership will provide vital insights for farmers and policymakers alike,” said Dr. Ortez. The collaboration highlights the value of joint efforts between universities, industry, and research institutions.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski
Categories: Ohio, Sustainable Agriculture