Project Number: 3645-12610-001-01
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Mar 30, 2006
End Date: Feb 28, 2010

Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research project is to monitor the impact of corn stover harvest in a corn-soybean rotation on soil carbon and productivity under contrasting tillage management. Summarize current state of knowledge and create initial recommendations for residue retention. Monitor the quality of feedstock and biomass ash from a biomass gasifier. Best Management Practices for biomass cropping systems will be developed for environmental and economic sustainability.

Approach:
Current soil C levels will be assessed now and after each rotation, yield will be monitored annually. Analyze feedstock material for percent moisture, ash-free biomass, total carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, chlorine, and ash. Feed stocks and ash (not to exceed 200 total samples) from the test burns will be digested in nitric acid utilizing a microwave digester then assayed by ICP for 27 elements (Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Si, Sr, Ti, V, Zn). The pH of the ash will also be determined.