Conservation Tillage Study

The project goal was to compare yields of three different tillage systems on a sloping, moderately well drained soil (Nira) and on a nearly level, poorly drained soil (Kalona) in a continuous corn and a corn-soybean system. The plots began in 1990

Native Grass Establishment Demonstration Plots

Current CRP programs have emphasized the use of warm-season native grasses. In the early 1990s a variety trial of different species and varieties of native grasses was established by the NRCS staff at the Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm. These plots have been very useful for landowners to see the growth characteristics of the different varieties. However, landowners have had many questions about what a seeding should look like during the establishment years. The project goal was to compare different seeding times and weed control methods in the establishment of native grasses

Long-Term Conservation Tillage Study

The project goal is to compare yields of three different tillage systems on a sloping, moderately well drained soil (Nira) and on a nearly level, poorly drained soil (Kalona) in a continuous corn and a corn-soybean system. This study was begun in 1990 using no-till, ridge-till, and chisel-disk tillage systems. Results for 1990–1994 were previously reported

Swine Manure Nitrogen Availability and Carryover

Swine manure is readily available in Iowa and is an excellent source of fertilizer for crops. Application rates are often based on the nitrogen (N) needs of the coming year’s crop. Producers often ask how much N is available the first year, and if any N carries over to subsequent years

Swine Manure Management Study

Manure can be a valuable resource if properly applied to utilize its nutrient content. To better define the value of manure, a multi-year research project began in 1998 at the Southeast Research Farm. The fertilizer effect of rate and method of manure application in a corn-soybean rotation is being studied. In 2002, several treatments were added that included N-Serve with the manure

Conservation Tillage Study

The project goal is to compare yields of three different tillage systems on a sloping, moderately well drained soil (Nira) and on a nearly level, poorly drained soil (Kalona) in a continuous corn and a corn-soybean system

The global value of coastal wetlands for storm protection

Coastal wetlands provide a range of valuable ecosystem services, including protecting coastal communities from storms. We estimated for the first time the global value of these storm protection services for all coastal wetlands for both damages avoided and lives saved. We used the historical tracks of 1,014 tropical cyclones since 1902 that recorded property damage and/or human casualties in 71 countries/regions. We used Bayesian and OLS statistical techniques to relate storm damages and lives lost to: wind speed, storm forward speed, the year of the storm, the volume of ocean water proximal to landfall, and GDP, population, and coastal wetlands in the swath of the storm. Based on current storm probabilities, we estimate the median annual global value of coastal wetlands for storm protection at $447 billion/yr (2015$US) ($213 -$837 billion/yr, 90% CI) and 4,620 lives saved per year (3,320 – 6,550, 90% CI). The 40 million hectares of coastal wetlands in storm prone areas provided an average of $11,000/ha/yr in avoided storm damages. The frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones has been increasing in recent decades and is projected to further increase with climate change. Consequently, the already significant benefits from protecting and restoring coastal wetlands will become increasingly important and valuable in the future. These results justify much larger investments in conservation and restoration of coastal wetlands

A multimodal cell census and atlas of the mammalian primary motor cortex

ABSTRACT We report the generation of a multimodal cell census and atlas of the mammalian primary motor cortex (MOp or M1) as the initial product of the BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network (BICCN). This was achieved by coordinated large-scale analyses of single-cell transcriptomes, chromatin accessibility, DNA methylomes, spatially resolved single-cell transcriptomes, morphological and electrophysiological properties, and cellular resolution input-output mapping, integrated through cross-modal computational analysis. Together, our results advance the collective knowledge and understanding of brain cell type organization: First, our study reveals a unified molecular genetic landscape of cortical cell types that congruently integrates their transcriptome, open chromatin and DNA methylation maps. Second, cross-species analysis achieves a unified taxonomy of transcriptomic types and their hierarchical organization that are conserved from mouse to marmoset and human. Third, cross-modal analysis provides compelling evidence for the epigenomic, transcriptomic, and gene regulatory basis of neuronal phenotypes such as their physiological and anatomical properties, demonstrating the biological validity and genomic underpinning of neuron types and subtypes. Fourth, in situ single-cell transcriptomics provides a spatially-resolved cell type atlas of the motor cortex. Fifth, integrated transcriptomic, epigenomic and anatomical analyses reveal the correspondence between neural circuits and transcriptomic cell types. We further present an extensive genetic toolset for targeting and fate mapping glutamatergic projection neuron types toward linking their developmental trajectory to their circuit function. Together, our results establish a unified and mechanistic framework of neuronal cell type organization that integrates multi-layered molecular genetic and spatial information with multi-faceted phenotypic properties

Long-Term Conservation Tillage Study

The project goal is to compare yields of three different tillage systems on a sloping, moderately well drained soil (Nira) and on a nearly level, poorly drained soil (Kalona) in a continuous corn and a corn-soybean system. This study was begun in 1990 using no-till, ridge-till, and chisel-disk tillage systems. Results for 1990–1994 were previously reported.</p

Native Grass Establishment Demonstration Plots

Current CRP programs have emphasized the use of warm-season native grasses. In the early 1990s a variety trial of different species and varieties of native grasses was established by the NRCS staff at the Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm. These plots have been very useful for landowners to see the growth characteristics of the different varieties. However, landowners have had many questions about what a seeding should look like during the establishment years. The project goal was to compare different seeding times and weed control methods in the establishment of native grasses.</p