Philip A Moore, Alden N Hotz, Kelsey R Anderson, Jerry W Martin
{"title":"Thirty year paired watershed study shows treating poultry litter with alum reduces the legacy effect on phosphorus runoff.","authors":"Philip A Moore, Alden N Hotz, Kelsey R Anderson, Jerry W Martin","doi":"10.1002/jeq2.70071","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.70071","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Andrew Sharpley was one of the first scientists to point out that the effects of best management practices (BMPs) on improving water quality are often slower, smaller, and shorter-lived than expected due to legacy phosphorus (P). One BMP for reducing P runoff and ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>) volatilization that has been widely adopted is treating poultry litter with aluminum sulfate (alum). Because of the economic benefits of improved poultry production and reduced propane use, alum is now used to grow >40% of the broiler chickens in the United States. The objective of this study was to determine the legacy effects of alum treatment of poultry litter on P runoff. A 30-year study was conducted using paired watersheds, which were fertilized with untreated or alum-treated litter for 21 years and were not fertilized for the following 9 years. During the fertilization period (1995-2015) when incidental P losses were occurring, the annual P loads from untreated litter (2.0 kg P ha<sup>-1</sup>) were 2.4 times higher than alum-treated litter (0.84 kg P ha<sup>-1</sup>). Phosphorus losses during the unfertilized period (legacy P) from 2016 to 2024 were much lower, as would be expected; annual P loads in runoff from the watershed that had received untreated litter (0.64 kg P ha<sup>-1</sup>) were almost twice as high as that from alum-treated litter (0.34 kg P ha<sup>-1</sup>), which was due to lower water-soluble P in the soil. This study demonstrated that treating manure with alum has a long-lasting effect on P runoff from pastures, even after fertilization has ceased, providing further evidence that this is a sustainable BMP.</p>","PeriodicalId":15732,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental quality","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144956517","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ferran Garcia-Pichel, Júlia Farias, Vanessa Fernandes, Daniel Roush, Tami L Swenson, Suzanne M Kosina, Trent R Northen, Huansheng Cao, Samual Jaunin, Raju Kandel, Roberto Gaxiola
{"title":"Swift microbiome-mediated phenotype transfer from transgenic plants.","authors":"Ferran Garcia-Pichel, Júlia Farias, Vanessa Fernandes, Daniel Roush, Tami L Swenson, Suzanne M Kosina, Trent R Northen, Huansheng Cao, Samual Jaunin, Raju Kandel, Roberto Gaxiola","doi":"10.1002/jeq2.70070","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.70070","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The expression of an organism's genes determines its own characteristics in any given environment. In this study, we demonstrate that the phenotypic traits of genetically modified transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants, designed for nutrient efficiency and enhanced yield, can be naturally and readily transferred to neighboring wild-type plants. Our findings reveal that the transgenic plants significantly influence the populational, compositional, and functional traits of their root-associated microbiome (RAM), resulting in a larger population, with distinct composition and high functional potential compared to wild-type plants, regardless of soil type. This phenomenon appears to stem from altered metabolite exudation patterns, which enhance root recruitment. Notably, the RAM plays a dual role: it not only contributes to the robust phenotype of the transgenic plants but also facilitates the transfer of these traits to adjacent wild-type plants. Upon transplanting wild-type plants into the presence of transgenics, we observed the induction of transgenic-like phenotypes. Metagenomic and compositional analyses indicate that this transfer is linked to an increase in 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BD) fermenting bacteria. Furthermore, exposure to 2,3-BD alone was sufficient to elicit transgenic phenotypes in wild-type plants. These results suggest that factors external to plant tissues, such as root-associated bacteria and their volatile metabolic products, play a crucial role in the transferability of plant phenotypes to neighboring plants. Our findings underscore the importance of evaluating microbiome interactions in the context of transgenic organisms and open new avenues for alternative agricultural practices that may reduce reliance on genetic modification.</p>","PeriodicalId":15732,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental quality","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144855403","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Michael Fleming, Ouriel Ndalamba, Zaria Oliver, Charles Portner, Lee Blaney
{"title":"Natural coagulants enhance struvite collection efficiency after phosphorus recovery from poultry litter.","authors":"Michael Fleming, Ouriel Ndalamba, Zaria Oliver, Charles Portner, Lee Blaney","doi":"10.1002/jeq2.70069","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.70069","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Agricultural runoff is the major contributor to eutrophication. To address this problem, some have advocated for nutrient recovery from agricultural waste. We have previously reported phosphorus recovery from poultry litter using a sequencing batch reactor with CO<sub>2</sub>-assisted nutrient extraction and NaOH-based precipitation of the slow-release struvite and potassium struvite fertilizers. In our patented process, US Patent US11104617B2, the process effluent was recycled to generate the slurry for the next batch. Pilot-scale studies suggested that precipitated particles were being recirculated during reuse of the process effluent, reducing overall recovery. The objective of this work was to improve struvite settling through the addition of natural coagulants and flocculant aids. Jar tests were conducted with liquid extracts generated from 20 g L<sup>-1</sup> poultry litter slurries. The solution pH was adjusted to 9.0 to precipitate struvite, and then variable chitosan and bentonite concentrations were dosed into the jars under rapid mix conditions at 120 rpm for 3 min. The particle size distributions showed that chitosan and bentonite formed larger particles. The 50th percentile struvite particle size increased from 0.07 µm without coagulant and flocculant aids to ∼400 µm with 100 mg L<sup>-1</sup> of chitosan and bentonite. When 500-1000 mg L<sup>-1</sup> of chitosan and bentonite were added, large, uniform flocs formed and settled within 1 h. The chitosan-bentonite system had optimal performance with 25 mg L<sup>-1</sup> chitosan and 10 mg L<sup>-1</sup> bentonite and 50 mg L<sup>-1</sup> chitosan and 50 mg L<sup>-1</sup> bentonite. The chitosan-alginate system generated larger flocs with 75 mg L<sup>-1</sup> alginate, but the addition of chitosan diminished performance. Alginate-only systems were most effective at aggregating fine struvite particles produced from poultry litter extracts and have the added benefit of providing an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional coagulants as a soil amendment that provides controlled nutrient release.</p>","PeriodicalId":15732,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental quality","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144816849","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Haleigh Summers, James O Eckberg, Heidi M Peterson
{"title":"Glass half full: A framework for setting realistic water quality conservation targets.","authors":"Haleigh Summers, James O Eckberg, Heidi M Peterson","doi":"10.1002/jeq2.70064","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.70064","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A case study was launched to quantify potential water quality benefits attainable through practical and realistic conservation implementation targets. The Lake Michigan Basin was selected because of its importance as a dairy, grain, and oilseed production region that supports a range of ecosystems and endangered species. The objective was to build a framework, implementing a widely accessible tool that could be applied by local conservation staff to set practical, watershed-level, clean water targets. The US Environmental Protection Agency's Pollutant Load Estimation Tool, which is free and provides a user-friendly web interface, was applied to quantify phosphorus and sediment load reduction from six conservation scenarios in each Hydrologic Unit Code-8 watershed. Conservation scenarios included rotational grazing, cover crops, conservation tillage, nutrient management, prairie strips, and a combination of the practices referred to as \"regenerative agriculture.\" Each scenario was compared to a baseline of current cover crop and conservation tillage adoption rates, established using remote sensing data. The model estimated that implementing the regenerative agriculture scenario, which would require an additional 2640 km<sup>2</sup> of conservation and $260 million in investment, could reduce phosphorus loads by 21% and sediment loads by 10% compared to current loading. Results confirm that conservation investments by multiple stakeholders at the federal, state, and local levels can result in meaningful impacts to achieve water quality goals. This framework can be applied to other regions with minimal data inputs, making it a scalable approach to guide collective action toward water quality conservation targets.</p>","PeriodicalId":15732,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental quality","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144799196","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Impact of management practices on nitrous oxide emissions in an irrigated dairy forage rotation.","authors":"R S Dungan, A B Leytem, G J Miito","doi":"10.1002/jeq2.70063","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.70063","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nitrous oxide emissions from semiarid, irrigated cropping systems are strongly influenced by tillage, nutrient source, and cover cropping, yet their long-term interactive effects remain underexplored. We quantified N<sub>2</sub>O emissions from a continuous silage corn (Zea mays) system under factorial combinations of tillage (conventional vs. reduced), nitrogen source (dairy manure vs. synthetic fertilizer), and winter cover cropping (triticale vs. fallow) over 3 years (2021-2023) following 6 years of prior treatment implementation. Dairy manure solids were applied annually in the fall from 2015 through 2020. No further manure applications were made, and from spring 2021 onward, N<sub>2</sub>O fluxes were monitored to assess legacy effects. Fluxes were monitored weekly using vented, nonsteady-state chambers. Emissions were episodic, with peak emissions occurring after irrigation onset and during winter months. In 2021, reduced tillage plots produced 25% greater cumulative emissions than CT (3.3 vs. 2.7 kg N<sub>2</sub>O-N ha<sup>-1</sup>; p = 0.030), though no tillage differences were observed in subsequent years following a field-wide moldboard plowing in spring 2022. Manure-treated plots consistently produced the highest emissions, exceeding synthetic fertilizer treatments by 723%, 267%, and 147% in 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively (p < 0.0001). Winter cover cropping lowered preplant soil nitrate but did not reduce N<sub>2</sub>O losses in manured soils, likely due to continued in-season mineralization. These results show that manure legacy effects persist after applications end and that tillage impacts on emissions are short-lived. Optimizing nutrient use and reducing emissions in semiarid irrigated systems will require integrated management of manure, tillage, and irrigation.</p>","PeriodicalId":15732,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental quality","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144789298","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Claire Baffaut, Megan Metz, Daniel Moriasi, Rob Malone, Lindsey Witthaus, Ken Wacha, Sarah Goslee, Hsun-Yi Hsieh, G Philip Robertson
{"title":"Are historical trends in weather consistent with model predictions in the Central United States?","authors":"Claire Baffaut, Megan Metz, Daniel Moriasi, Rob Malone, Lindsey Witthaus, Ken Wacha, Sarah Goslee, Hsun-Yi Hsieh, G Philip Robertson","doi":"10.1002/jeq2.70066","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.70066","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Model projections predict increasing temperatures and precipitation change in many locations in the Central United States. To provide perspective on what these trends might bring relative to what has already happened, we compared historical temperature and precipitation change with what models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) predict. The analysis focuses on regions represented by five long-term agroecosystem research sites along a latitudinal transect from Michigan to Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Mississippi. We analyzed trends in long-term records (≥50 years) of precipitation and temperature data at annual and monthly scales using indicators that characterize extreme and average temperature and rainfall amounts. Results show that temperatures have changed from 1900 to 2020, more for minimum (0.1°C-0.3°C decade<sup>-1</sup>) than maximum (-0.1°C-0.2°C decade<sup>-1</sup>), more for winter (-0.1°C-0.3°C decade<sup>-1</sup>) than summer (-0.1°C-0.1°C decade<sup>-1</sup>), and more often in the north than in the south. Except in Mississippi, annual precipitation has increased at rates of 25 mm decade<sup>-1</sup> or greater over 1950-2020, but monthly trends were inconsistent. Projected trends suggest continued temperature increases, highlighting the urgent need for research on management systems that are resilient to such increases.</p>","PeriodicalId":15732,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental quality","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144794663","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Liping Li, Lingling Wang, James A Ippolito, Weiqin Xing, Miaomiao Wan, Linlin Zhao, Suqin Shang, Kunyan Qiu
{"title":"Long-term nonferrous metal smelting affects metal accumulation/transfer in a soil-plant-woodlouse system.","authors":"Liping Li, Lingling Wang, James A Ippolito, Weiqin Xing, Miaomiao Wan, Linlin Zhao, Suqin Shang, Kunyan Qiu","doi":"10.1002/jeq2.70065","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.70065","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nonferrous metal smelting is one of the main sources of heavy metal pollution in the environment, yet its effect on heavy metal transfer in soil-plant-animal systems is not well investigated. In this work, soil, plant (Humulus scandens [HS], Digitaria sanguinalis [DS], and Setaria viridis [SV]), and woodlouse (Armadillidium vulgare) samples were collected in a long-term nonferrous metal smelting area from 26 sites over approximately 7 km and analyzed for Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations. Cadmium and Pb were the most accumulated soil metals, with mean concentrations of 4.68 and 249 mg kg<sup>-1</sup>, respectively. The plant bioconcentration factor (BCF) of soil heavy metals was all <1. Mean woodlouse Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations were 20.5, 69.7, 169, 5.41, 47.2, and 424 mg kg<sup>-1</sup>, respectively. Significant correlations between woodlouse heavy metal concentrations and distances from the smelter were only found for Cd. Woodlice had a greater BCF of plant Cd (mean = 11.2), Cu (52.6), and Zn (10.6) than for Mn, Ni, and Pb. No significant correlation was found between soil/plant and woodlouse for heavy metal concentrations. Heavy metal toxicities to plants and woodlice were quantitatively estimated with a newly developed model, with results indicating that woodlice had much greater (9800) values than the plants (<1300). Results indicate enhanced accumulation and toxicity of heavy metals to woodlouse in the soil-plant-woodlouse system than in a simpler soil-plant system approach. The health risks of heavy metals in woodlice to predators need further evaluation.</p>","PeriodicalId":15732,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental quality","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144775485","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Wet-dry cycles control the emissions and sources of greenhouse gases in agricultural soil: An incubation study.","authors":"Matt Ball, Guillermo Hernandez-Ramirez","doi":"10.1002/jeq2.70062","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.70062","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study examines the impact of wet-drying cycles and nitrogen (N) fertilization on soil greenhouse gas fluxes, specifically nitrous oxide (N<sub>2</sub>O) and carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>). Nine treatments were tested, combining three soil moisture regimes (55% constant, 55%-30% cycle, and 80%-55% cycle) with three N addition rates (0, 100, and 150 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup>) using <sup>15</sup>N-labeled urea. Soil samples from a potato (Solanum tuberosum) field in Lethbridge, Alberta, were incubated for 28 days under controlled conditions. Wet-drying cycles involved initially wetting the soil to the upper threshold (55% or 80% WFPS) and allowing it to dry to the lower threshold (30% or 55% WFPS), followed by rewetting to restore upper moisture levels. N<sub>2</sub>O and CO<sub>2</sub> fluxes were measured regularly using a recirculation chamber system to quantify gas emissions and determine N<sub>2</sub>O sources. Soil moisture significantly increased N<sub>2</sub>O and CO<sub>2</sub> production (p < 0.001), with the highest emissions under wet conditions (80%-55% WFPS cycle), moderate production at 55% WFPS, and the lowest under dry conditions (30%-55% WFPS cycle). Compared to constant 55% WFPS, N<sub>2</sub>O and CO<sub>2</sub> production were 33% and 403% higher, respectively, under wet conditions and 28% and 3% lower under dry conditions. Rewetting events triggered temporary increases in gas emissions due to enhanced microbial activity. Urea addition caused a stronger priming effect on N<sub>2</sub>O production under wet conditions, with urea-derived N<sub>2</sub>O more prominent in wetter soils.</p>","PeriodicalId":15732,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental quality","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144674938","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Salani U Fernando, Lakshman W Galagedara, Manokararajah Krishnapillai, Chad W Cuss
{"title":"Improving trace element measurement accuracy: Lysimeter cleaning and material effects.","authors":"Salani U Fernando, Lakshman W Galagedara, Manokararajah Krishnapillai, Chad W Cuss","doi":"10.1002/jeq2.70061","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.70061","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lysimeters are widely used to collect soil solutions with minimal disruption to the natural distribution of trace elements (TEs); however, sorption and release of TEs to and from lysimeter materials can introduce significant errors at trace concentrations. This study reports optimized cleaning protocols and evaluates TE sorption and release from three commonly used tension lysimeters: Rhizon MOM, SPE20 nylon, and SiC20. Cleaning involved sequential rinsing with acids and ultrapure water (UPW), followed by soaking and sonication in UPW. The sorption and release behaviors of lysimeters were evaluated before and after cleaning using soil leachate. Rhizon lysimeters cleaned more quickly than others due to lower residual TE concentrations. Blanks from Rhizon and SPE20 nylon lysimeters after cleaning generally showed low TE concentrations (1-100 ng L<sup>-1</sup>), except for Al, Fe, and Zn (>100 ng L<sup>-1</sup>), and Tl and Th (<1 ng L<sup>-1</sup>; Th <5 ng L<sup>-1</sup> in nylon), demonstrating the effectiveness of cleaning protocols. In contrast, SiC lysimeters released high concentrations of Al, V, Fe, Ni, Zn, and Sr (>1 µg L<sup>-1</sup>) even after cleaning, and showed significant sorption and release of Al, Ag, Ba, Cd, Cs, Cu, Fe, Mn, Tl, V, and Zn. These results provide crucial information to assist researchers in selecting the right lysimeter and cleaning protocols depending on research objectives and desired detection limits.</p>","PeriodicalId":15732,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental quality","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144659310","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Amy L Zoller, Girma Birru, Tulsi Kharel, Virginia L Jin, Marty R Schmer, Ariel Freidenreich, Brian Wardlow, Tim Kettler, Tekleab Gala
{"title":"Remote sensing of soil organic carbon in varied tillage-crop systems.","authors":"Amy L Zoller, Girma Birru, Tulsi Kharel, Virginia L Jin, Marty R Schmer, Ariel Freidenreich, Brian Wardlow, Tim Kettler, Tekleab Gala","doi":"10.1002/jeq2.70060","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.70060","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The use of remote sensing (RS) to estimate soil organic carbon (SOC) in cropland has become increasingly important to producers, researchers, and policy makers to assess soil and plant health across spatially variable landscapes. Yet, RS estimation of cropland SOC is challenging, particularly when mixed crop residues and soils are present. Our objective was to develop an RS model to estimate SOC under varied tillage-crop systems typical of Corn Belt, US farming practices and evaluate model performance with respect to each system. Four tillage-crop systems were evaluated: conventional till corn (CT-corn) with one tillage event, CT-corn with two tillage events, no-till soybean (NT-soy), and no-till corn (NT-corn). A random forest (RF) model was developed using SOC measurements, Sentinel-2 early spring images (bands and band ratios), and ancillary data (elevation, yield, soils, peak vegetation), and accuracy and most important variables were assessed for each system. The two CT-corn models had similar predictability and accuracy (R<sup>2 </sup>= 0.65-0.66, root mean square error [RMSE] = 0.13), while the NT-soy had comparable predictability but lower accuracy (R<sup>2 </sup>= 0.69, RMSE = 0.22). The NT-corn model, however, underperformed (R<sup>2 </sup>= 0.14, RMSE = 0.29). Sentinel-2 early spring images dominated most important variables for all models except for NT-corn which relied on ancillary inputs. The RF model was also used to map the spatial distribution of SOC, which showed variability related to human disturbance (historical railroad tracks). This research provided insight into estimation and mapping of SOC in varied tillage-crop systems and highlighted the importance of using early spring RS images to improve results in mixed crop residue and soil areas.</p>","PeriodicalId":15732,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental quality","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144642738","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}