Carbon Mapping on the Go

Dr. Galina Yakubova in a field monitoring real-time measurements of soil carbon, captured by the Mobile Inelastic Neutron Scattering scanning system. — Dr. Galina Yakubova monitors real-time measurements of soil carbon, captured by the Mobile Inelastic Neutron Scattering scanning system. (Daniel Donner D4754-1)

Precision agriculture combines cutting-edge technology with traditional farming methods to improve the productivity, efficiency, and viability of today’s agriculture. This approach is crucial to balancing crop yield requirements with environmental sustainability.

ARS researchers with the Soil Dynamics Research Lab in Auburn, AL, have developed a unique mobile system that assesses and maps out soil carbon to a depth of 30 centimeters (the plow layer) – all in real time. The mobile system, when paired with a GPS device, can accurately acquire information about soil carbon content and generate corresponding maps in a rapid, inexpensive, and efficient manner.

The data obtained from this new tool helps farmers and other stakeholders better understand how their land management practices impact environmental processes like carbon sequestration, a method of mitigating climate change by storing CO2 in the soil, rather than releasing it into the atmosphere.

Carbon Mapping on the Go

Explore Other Discoveries

Scientist monitoring real-time measurements of soil carbon, captured by the Mobile Inelastic Neutron Scattering scanning system.

Carbon Mapping on the Go

ARS researchers have developed a unique mobile system that assesses and maps out soil carbon to a depth of 30 centimeters (the plow layer) – all in real time.

Two gloved hands holding a beaker of biofuel

Developing Biofuel Opportunities

ARS scientists are investigating ways to ensure agriculture can produce renewable fuels that will help diminish our carbon footprint.

Energy cane growing in a research plot in Georgia.

Elephant Grass as Bio-Feedstock

Scientists conducted research on how farm management practices could maximize elephant grass’s utility as a bioethanol feedstock.

New Standards for Analyzing Soil Health

A new protocol addresses sources of variability and uncertainty in measuring microbial community composition and its connection with agricultural management and changing climate.

Take Your Alfalfa Out to Pasture

Beef producers in the western United States have been searching for alternatives to nitrogen-rich fertilizers .

To Save More Water, Plant Corn Later

A team of researchers and their partners have found another way to conserve water: late planted corn.

Wrangling for Resiliency

ARS researchers and the USDA Southwest Climate Hub developed a new set of tools aiming at helping farmers, ranchers, and other stakeholders plan for serious environmental challenges.

Topic

Natural Resources & Sustainable Agricultural Systems

Carbon Mapping on the Go

Carbon Mapping on the Go

Explore Other Discoveries

Carbon Mapping on the Go

Developing Biofuel Opportunities

Elephant Grass as Bio-Feedstock

New Standards for Analyzing Soil Health

Take Your Alfalfa Out to Pasture

To Save More Water, Plant Corn Later

Wrangling for Resiliency

Topic

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