Sharing knowledge, sharing research
It just takes a research meeting in San Antonio to bring the NREC-funded research to the forefront of the agronomy world.
How wide? How deep?
Understanding the influence of tile depth and spacing on nutrient loss – does depth or distance count for something? Research under way by Dr. Rabin Bhattarai from the University of Illinois leads a study investigating how tile depth and spacing variations impact nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) losses. The study evaluates current tile drainage design and assesses negative impacts on tile drainage and N and P losses. Click here to download a summary of his current research. How wide, how deep – Bhattarai
Cover cropping on a large scale
Using cover crops shows the potential to reduce nutrient loss, but most of this research has been done at the plot or field scale levels. This project explores whether the use of cover crops can effectively be scaled up to the watershed – not just a field – and whether the addition of cover crops alone, with no other changes in farm management, can improve surface water quality. An overview of Dr. O’Reilly’s research can be found here: Catherine O’Reilly
DNRA – what the heck is that?
Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium (DNRA) is also known as nitrate ammonification and is the result of anaerobic respiration. In this process microbes oxidize organic matter and use nitrate (rather
than oxygen) as an electron acceptor, reducing it to nitrite – then ammonium (as opposed to nitrogen gas – as in denitrification). Get a simple explanation to better understand how this can help farmers manage nutrients. Click her to download the flyer.
August Investment Insights
This month’s Investment Insights focuses on exciting new research being conducted at the University of Illinois and focusing on DNRA.
May Investment Insight
Illinois NREC is working hard to bring you research results and answer questions that you have about farming practices that can help address the goals of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. These monthly one-pagers help bridge the gap between research and real-world application. Investment Insight May 2018_FINAL