Transcript RUNOFF AND SEDIMENT FROM WOODY AND HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL CROPS AND AN ANNUAL CROP Aaron Colson Graduate Research Assistant Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics Applied Plant Science University.

RUNOFF AND SEDIMENT FROM
WOODY AND HERBACEOUS
PERENNIAL CROPS AND AN
ANNUAL CROP
Aaron Colson
Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics
Applied Plant Science
University of Minnesota, St. Paul
June 13, 2005
Outline
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Purpose
Methods
Results
Recommendations and Summary
Purpose
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Sustainability of conventional corn-soybean
systems
Water quality impacts
TMDL
Cropping alternatives
Other
Purpose
Objectives:
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To evaluate the effects of cropping with woody
and herbaceous perennials on
runoff
 Sediment
 N & P (not presented here)
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To compare with a more traditional soybean
crop
Outline
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Purpose
Methods
Results
Recommendations and Summary
Methods
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Hybrid hazelnuts, hybrid willow, Illinois
bundleflower, and perennial flax were
established on plots in 2003
An annual corn-soybean crop was included as a
control
The experimental design was a randomized
complete block with two replications
Barrier and Equipment Installation Diagram
10 ft. outside of enclosed barrier for plant analysis
60 feet
Barrier
runoff
Datalogger/
flowmeter
100 lb propane tank
Flume
Solar Panel
Battery
Sampler
During snowmelt, flume is enclosed in a wooden shelter with a
radiant propane heater to prevent icing and protect probe.
Methods
Methods
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Plant production: Ground cover, height, density,
biomass
Precipitation: Two weather stations within a
mile, and a non-standard rain gage on site
Runoff and sediment
Outline
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Purpose
Methods
Results
Recommendations and Summary
Percent (%) Ground Cover
Date
Willow*
Soybean
Illinois bundleflower
Hazelnut
Perennial flax
21-May
90
0
25
90
80
22-Jul
6
75
80
82
80
19 Oct.
5
60
60
95
80
*Turf grass on the willow plots was removed the first week of June
Monthly Runoff per Treatment
200
180
Runoff and Precipitation (mm)
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
June
July
Aug
Sep
Oct
Month
Willow
Soybean
Illinois bundleflower
Hazelnut
Perennial flax
Monthly precipitation
Total Runoff and Precipitation in 2004
Totoal Runoff and Precipitation (mm)
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
Willow
Soybean
Illinois
bundleflower
Hazelnut
Treatment
Runoff
Total precipitation
Perennial flax
Runoff and Precipitation for Snowmelt
and Rainfall Events
140
Runoff and Precipitation (mm)
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
3/2/04
6/9/04
7/11/04
8/22/04
9/15/04
10/7/04
Event Date
Willow
Soybean
Illinois bundleflower
Hazelnut
Perennial flax
Precipitation
Total Suspended Solids for Snowmelt and
Rainfall Events
3500
Average TSS loading (kg/ha)
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
3/2/04
6/9/04
7/11/04
8/22/04
9/15/04
10/7/04
Event Date
Willow
Soybean
Illinois bundleflower
Hazelnut
Perennial flax
Outline
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Purpose
Methods
Results
Recommendations and Summary
Summary and Recommendations
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Establishment phase study
Ground cover reduces runoff and sediment loss
due to surface soil erosion
Perennial flax and Illionois bundleflower yielded
significantly lower TSS than soybean during
intense rainfall with similar runoff volume
Soybean runoff response similar to bare soil
willow plot for intense event
Summary and Recommendations
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Important implications for mitigating TMDLs
Perennial crops with ground cover substantially
reduce sediment loads in contrast to soybeans
Woody crop production should incorporate
cover crops as a best management practice
More comparisons of biomass and hydrologic
characteristics to help develop strategy
Acknowledgments
MAJOR ADVISORS
Kenneth Brooks, Professor, Department of Forest Resources University of Minnesota, St. Paul
Donald Wyse, Professor, Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, Applied Plant Science, University
of Minnesota, St. Paul
Craig Sheaffer, Professor, Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, Applied Plant Science, University
of Minnesota, St. Paul
ADVISOR
Gregg Johnson, Associate Professor, Southern Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota,
Waseca
SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION
Matt Bickel, Sr. Research Plot Technician, Southern Research and Outreach Center, University of
Minnesota, Waseca
Kevin Betts, Senior Scientist, Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, St.
Paul
Joshua Larson, Junior Scientist, Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota,
St. Paul
Acknowledgments
SPECIAL THANKS
Dean Current, University of Minnesota
Linda Meschke, BERBI
Phil Rutter, Badgersett
Tim Volk, State University of New York
Duane Schriever, University of Minnesota
Southern Research and Outreach Center, Waseca
ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Driss Ennaanay
Marin Byrne
Dr. Michael Russelle
Scott Josiah
Mark Shepard
Lowell Busman
Dr. Satish Gupta
Michael DemChik
ISCO, Inc.
Dr. Nancy Ehlke
Tech Sales
Doug Swanson
Joe Paul
Marcel Schroeder
And many more….
Acknowledgments
Legislative Commission on Minnesota
Resources
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Rm. 65 - State
Office Building St. Paul, MN 55155