Impact of tillage, cover crop, and in situ bioreactors on nutrient loss from an artificially drained Midwestern Mollisol.

Nutrient losses via subsurface tile cause environmental degradation of aquatic ecosystems. Various management practices are primarily aimed at reduction of nitrate leaching in tile discharge; however, studies on leaching of other nutrients are limited. A replicated plot experiment was initiated in 2016 as part of the Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) network Croplands Common Experiment to quantify the effectiveness of management practices on leaching of NO-N, total P, K, and S from drained soils.

The LTAR Cropland Common Experiment at Upper Mississippi River Basin-Ames.

Agricultural systems evolve from the interactions of climate, crops, soils, management practices (e.g., tillage, cover crops, nutrient management), and economic risks and rewards.