Current Research

Enhancing site assessments of agricultural subsurface phosphorus loss using geophysical surveys and conservative tracers (PI)

Funding agency: USDA Agricultural Food and Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational Program (Award # 2019-68016-29405)

Project cooperators: Anthony Buda, Casey Kennedy (USDA-ARS); Lee Slater, Dimitrios Ntalgliannis (Rutgers Univ. – Newark);  Amy Collick (Moorehead State Univ.)

Students: Lauren Mosesso, PhD

This integrated research and extension project addresses stakeholder concerns about subsurface phosphorus (P) assessment. We seek to evaluate large-scale geophysics as an innovative tool for predicting subsoil properties that give rise to critical source areas of subsurface P loss. The near-term goal of the proposed research is to advance the precision of subsurface P management with P site assessment tools through the use of plot- and large-scale geophysical surveys that offer greater insight into the subsurface transport potential of artificially-drained agricultural fields. Our long-term goal is to foster a stakeholder driven process that will enable large-geophysical surveys to not only improve P use efficiency, but also enhance water quality and increase yields on the Delmarva Peninsula and similar agroecosystems with artificial drainage. The research will take place in selected agricultural fields on the Delmarva Peninsula, which is a region that best represents the challenges of controlling P losses in area where subsurface flows drive P transfers to surface waters. We will: 1) carry out large-scale geophysical surveys of ten or more representative fields to map the structural properties of topsoils and deeper soil layers affecting subsurface transport and hydrologic connectivity; 2) select three to five fields and conduct plot-scale sprinkling experiments with coupled electrical/hydrological tracer monitoring strategies to evaluate and verify critical source areas of subsurface transport mapped using large-scale geophysical surveys; and 3) conduct extension programs to demonstrate the value of using large-scale geophysical surveys to drive site-specific agronomic management and conservation.

A Solutions-based Evaluation of Barriers to Farmer Adoption of In-season Nitrogen Decision Support Tools (Co-PI)

Funding agency: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service On-Farm Research Program

Project cooperators: Nicole Fiorellino (Univ. Maryland – College Park; PI); Jarrod Miller, Leah Palm-Forster, Kelly Davidson (Univ. Delaware); Charlie White (Penn State Univ.)

Students: Jeremy Newswanger, MS

This integrated project pairs on-farm field-trials with behavioral and experimental economics field research that will generate evidence-based insights to inform the design of cost-effective programs to increase adoption of in-season N decision support tools for corn production in Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The overall goal of this proposed project is to increase adoption of in-season N decision support tools by grain farmers to improve NUE and reduce N losses to the environment. In years 1 and 2, we will implement replicated on-farm small plot and strip trials to evaluate proven in-season N decision support tools (i.e., dynamic N models and spectral imaging) to evaluate environmental benefits and economic feasibility of adoption of these tools. We will also identify social, economic, and regulatory barriers limiting widespread adoption of in-season N decision support tools. In year 3, we will develop and implement an economic field experiment to test innovative approaches to overcome barriers to widespread farmer adoption of in-season N decision support tools and select farmers that will receive cost-share payments for adoption of in-season N decision support tools. A subset of the farmers participating in the economic field experiment will be enrolled in a second phase of on-farm strip trials in year 4 to further evaluate environmental and economic performance of in-season N decision support tools. Finally, we will monitor and evaluate the continued adoption of N decision support tools for participants in Phases I and II of the on-farm trials. By moving beyond traditional on-farm trials alone, this project is designed to inform the design of programs aimed at increasing the use of in-season N decision support tools. This program design can be used by NRCS or state agencies to develop incentive programs that support more widespread and long-term adoption of these innovative conservation practices.

Innovative Manure Management Strategies to Promote Phosphorus Balance and Sustain Agriculture on the Delmarva Peninsula (Co-PI)

Funding agency: USDA Agricultural Food and Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational Program (Award # 2018-68008-28089)

Project cooperators: Mark Reiter (Virginia Tech; PI); Leah Palm-Forster (Univ. Delaware); Gurpal Toor (Univ. Maryland –  College Park)

This project integrates research, extension, and educational activities to address the stakeholder identified critical issue of phosphorus (P) imbalance on the Delmarva Peninsula. We will: (1) investigate current soil fertility practices in P deficient and P surplus areas to identify practices Delmarva farmers are willing to adopt to maximize crop yields; (2) estimate and map (a) the current quantity of exported litter and (b) the current and potential use (demand) of poultry litter on the Delmarva Peninsula; (3) quantify the economic and yield benefits of using poultry litter on low P fertility soils; (4) develop a regional clearinghouse to connect farmers with a P deficit to farmers with P surplus on the Delmarva Peninsula, and (5) update and deliver poultry litter management and soil fertility recommendations for regional grain production to increase crop yields in P deficit areas. The goal is to better distribute poultry litter within the region by decreasing application of poultry litter in areas of P surplus (e.g., lower Eastern Shore) and increasing application in areas of P deficit (e.g., Upper Shore and Virginia's Eastern Shore). Better distribution of poultry litter on low P soils will improve grain yields, achieve P balance in the region, and reduce concerns about water quality impairment due to excessive P loss from P saturated soils. This project is submitted under the Critical Agricultural Research and Extension (CARE) program area (A1701) and addresses three Farm Bill priorities: Bioenergy, natural resources, and environment; Agriculture systems and technology; and Agriculture economics and rural communities.

Completed Research

Combining Electrical Resistivity Imaging and Conservative Tracers to Characterize Subsurface Phosphorus Losses from Drained Soils

Funding agency: Delmarva Land Grant Universities Seed Grant Program; USDA Agricultural Food and Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational Program (Award # 2016-67019-25277)

Project cooperators: Anthony Buda, Ray Bryant (USDA-ARS); Lee Slater, Judith Robinson, Dimitrios Ntalgliannis (Rutgers – Newark); Arthur Allen, Amy Collick (Univ. Maryland Eastern Shore)

Students: Katie Turner (Clark), MS 2016; Lauren Mosesso, PhD Expected 2022

Long-term application of poultry litter application to agricultural soils on Delmarva has led to a build-up of soil test P to levels and an increased risk of P losses to sensitive waterbodies. Subsurface lateral flow pathways can deliver significant P loads from high P agricultural soils in artificially ditch-drained agricultural soils with high soil test P. However, the mechanisms of subsurface P transport are poorly understood. Electrical resistivity imaging was paired with a conservative salt tracer to track subsurface water flow towards agricultural ditches. Results will provide information about how and when P moves in subsurface lateral flow, which can be used to more accurately assess risk for subsurface P transport in the Delaware P Index and improve management of legacy P.

Integrated Nutrient Management for High Yielding Corn in a Poultry-Grain Production System

Funding agency: Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

Project cooperators: Joshua McGrath (UKY), J. Thomas Sims (UD, retired), Hong Li (UD)

Final Report

Developing Best Management Practices to Reduce Nonpoint Source Pollution through Effective Ditch Management

Funding agency: Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

Project cooperators: Jennifer Volk (UD), J. Thomas Sims (UD, retired)

Students: Melissa Hubert (Savin), MS 2018

Final Report

Evaluation of Seeding Rate and Method on Establishment of Cover Crops in Delaware.

Funding Agency: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Project cooperators: 

Final Report

Quantifying the effects of irrigation and fertigation on nutrient use efficiency in corn.

Funding agency: Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

Project cooperators: James Adkins, Shawn Tingle, Jennifer Volk, Cory Whaley (UD)

Final Report

Refining and harmonizing phosphorus indices in the Chesapeake Bay region to improve critical source area identification and to address nutrient management priorities.

Funding agency: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Innovation Grant Program

Targeted Conservation Contracts to Enhance Agricultural Best Management Practices: Incorporating Heterogeneity and Predicting Additionality

Funding agency: USDA Agricultural Food and Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational Program.

Trends in Soil Test Phosphorous and Sorption Capacity following Long-term Application of Poultry Litter and Commercial Fertilizers.

Funding agency: Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board

Using Silicon Fertilizers to Improve Soil Phosphorus Availability and Uptake by Winter Wheat in High Phosphorus Soils.

Funding agency: Northeast SARE Graduate Student Grant (awarded to Z. Qin)

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