SIOUX CENTER, Iowa (AP) — A research project in northwest
Iowa is looking at ways to keep fertilizer out of drinking water by
planting certain crops to help contain nitrogen.
The project on
Matt Schuiteman’s land near Sioux Center yielded lessons that may be
useful in other areas, the Sioux City Journal reported (http://bit.ly/1jCxgXv ).
The
research got started because some of Schuiteman’s land is close to
wells Sioux Center relies on for drinking water, and nitrate levels were
rising.
The project looked at five different ways to use
perennials and cover crops to limit the amount of nitrogen that washed
away. Cover crops are planted between growing seasons to limit erosion
and replenish nutrients in the soil.
"We’ve been using cover crops
more and more for four or five years," said Schuiteman, who also has a
cow-calf herd. "Some of the things we’ve learned are really effective at
keeping the nitrates out of the water."
A $90,000 grant helped
pay for the research that evaluated alternatives such as growing corn
two summers in a row with a winter rye cover crop in between or rotating
corn with alfalfa, red clover, oats, wheat and soybeans.
Dordt
environmental studies professor Robb De Haan said the research shows
potential for raising more alfalfa acres in Sioux County. The nearby
beef and dairy cattle creates demand for forage, and the alfalfa helps
contain nitrates.
"The idea was to use perennial crops and cover
crops to keep the nitrogen in the upper layers of the soil and available
for next season, and apply just what the crops need when they need it,"
Dordt environmental studies professor Robb De Haan said.
Schuiteman said he plans to start growing alfalfa on his land in rotation with corn because that proved
effective.
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Information from: Sioux City Journal, http://www.siouxcityjournal.com
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