ADVANCING CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE THROUGH NITROGEN AND WATER MANAGEMENT IN COVER CROP-BASED NO-TILL CROP PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

The main goal of this research project is to investigate how adoption and improved management of CSA practices increases resource (N- and water-) use efficiency and stabilizes crop yields under a changing climate. To accomplish this goal, we proposed these specific objectives: (i) Quantify how on-farm management influences CC performance and subsequent effects on soil water, temperature, and nutrient dynamics; resource use efficiencies; corn yields; and on-farm profitability; (ii) Evaluate and improve the existing Cover Crop Nitrogen Calculator (CC-NCALC) decision support tool to enable adaptive N management in CC-based no-till crop production systems for reduced greenhouse gas footprints; (iii) Determine the effect of CCs on agronomically optimal N fertilizer inputs for corn using meta-analysis of 12 published data; and (iv) Simulate how CC management influences soil nitrogen- and water-use efficiency and yield stability over time under current and future climates.