To Research the Development and Evaluation of Pathways to Net-Zero Emission Agriculture and Cropping Systems

Field experiments will be conducted to evaluate the impact of integrated BAPs in major cropping systems in the heavily agricultural region of the Central US on net-zero and negative emissions. Our goal is to determine the C balance of BAPs for the predominant cropping systems and soil types in the central region of the US and identify agronomic and environmental drivers of GHG emissions and C sequestration through short and long-term field experiments and laboratory measurements (MI, OH, KY and IN), data analysis, and interpretations. Results of these experiments will be augmented by a synthesis of published data (meta-analysis) and by application of agroecosystem models to extend the applicability of the results to other eco-regions of the US, and to assess the temporal evolution and sensitivity of the C-balance of agroecosystems. Technologies generated from this project will be communicated to scientists, farmers, extension educators, grade schools, college students, and the public through outreach events