Recycling Nutrients with Cover Crops to Decrease Hypoxia/Eutrophication while Promoting Sustainable Crop Production

Project Overview

GNC08-093
Project Type: Graduate Student
Funds awarded in 2008: $10,000.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2011
Grant Recipient: The Ohio State University
Region: North Central
State: Ohio
Graduate Student:
Jim Hoorman
Email
Faculty Advisor:
Dr. Khandakar Islam
Email
The Ohio State University South Centers

Annual Reports

Information Products

Commodities

  • Agronomic: corn, soybeans

Practices

  • Crop Production: cover crops
  • Natural Resources/Environment: soil stabilization
  • Soil Management: general soil management

    Abstract:

    Cover crops were planted on 9,300 acres in the Grand Lake River Watershed and 2000 acres in the Upper Wabash River Watershed. Another 8,700 acres were planted in the St. Mary’s River Watershed.

    More than 180 farmers attended an ECO Farming field day on zero tillage and cover crops and 35 attended a cover crop walk at Montezuma. Plots included oilseed radish, cereal rye, buckwheat, oats, and winter peas.

    Introduction:

    A goal of 5,000 acres of cover crops in the Upper Wabash and Grand Lake St. Marys River Watershed.

    Cover crop plots initated at Ohio State University (OSU) South Piketon and Hoytville research branches.

    Project objectives:

    Approximately 20,000 acres were planted to cover crops in three watersheds (Upper Walbash, Grand Lake, and St. Mary's).

    Cover crop data was collected for two years from OSU South Piketon and Hoytville research stations with one additional year of data being collected in 2012.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.