Enhanced U.S. soil carbon mapping with AI

Apr 04, 2024

By Farms.com

The battle against climate change receives a significant boost from an innovative approach to measuring soil organic carbon. By employing machine learning to analyze extensive soil sample data, scientists have crafted a more precise continental-scale estimate of soil organic carbon in the United States, as reported in the Journal of Geophysical Research — Biogeosciences.

This research underscores soil's pivotal role as a carbon sink and its capacity to impact climate change mitigation efforts. With nearly 50,000 soil samples from various U.S. regions analyzed, the study reveals how different environmental variables, including climate and vegetation, influence soil carbon levels.

The approach not only rectifies inconsistencies in previous estimates but also paves the way for targeted land management strategies that could enhance carbon sequestration. This advancement is crucial for policymakers and land managers striving to implement climate-smart practices.

The collaboration of experts from Emory University, Colorado State University, and several national laboratories, supported by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy, marks a significant step toward harnessing the power of soil in climate mitigation efforts.

Video: Winter Canola Trial in Mississippi | Can It Work for Double Cropping? | Pioneer Agronomy

Can winter canola open new opportunities for growers in the Mid-South? In this agronomy update from Noxubee County, Mississippi, Pioneer agronomist Gus Eifling shares an early look at a first-year winter canola trial and what farmers are learning from the field.

Planted in late October on 30-inch rows, the crop is now entering the bloom stage and progressing quickly. In this video, we walk through current field conditions, fertility management, and how timing could make this crop a valuable option for double-cropping soybeans or cotton.

If harvest timing lines up with early May, growers may be able to transition directly into another crop during ideal planting windows. Ongoing field trials will help determine whether canola could become a viable rotational option for the region.

Watch for:

How winter canola is performing in its first season in this Mississippi field

Why growers chose 30-inch rows for this trial

What the crop looks like as it moves from bolting into bloom

Fertility strategy, including nitrogen and sulfur applications

How canola harvest timing could enable double-cropping with soybeans or cotton

Upcoming trials comparing soybeans after canola vs. traditional planting

As more growers look for ways to maximize acres and diversify rotations, experiments like this help determine what new crops might fit into existing systems.