Soil Amendment

Nebraska Field Experiments Investigate Biochar Impact to Soil Health and Crop Yields

September 10, 2024

UNL researchers are utilizing biochar and cover crops in environmentally sensitive Nebraska soils to identify the conditions under which biochar may benefit temperate regions.

Tractor applying biochar to field — Biochar is a promising soil amendment in the agricultural industry, in growing demand for its ability to store carbon and improve water and nutrient retention in soil. (Department of Agronomy and Horticulture photo)

Great Plains Biochar Conference Set for Sept. 24-26

April 18, 2024

At this new conference, professionals working with biochar in research, education, agricultural application, production, industries, and trade will discuss how to bring biochar to its full potential as a multi-purpose material.

Tractor spreading black coal char in cattle pen — Coal char is applied to a cattle pen for research. After a snowfall, coal ash-applied pens dried quicker than the control pens, which was beneficial for cattle health.

Coal Char Enhances Manure and Soil Management to Improve Crop Production

April 11, 2024

A byproduct of processing sugarbeets, coal char has the potential to optimize soil nutrients and increase crop yields. In this article, UNL researchers share results of a study on incorporating coal char amendments into corn and dry bean cropland.

Tire tracks in muddy clay soil — Producers who struggle with poor drainage in gumbo soil have several options for improving water retention and overall soil health. One beneficial practice is manure application, which helps reduce bulk density and improves soil aggregation.

The Soil Health Exchange: Addressing Waterlogging Issues with Soil Health Management

January 30, 2024

Fields with diverse soil types can pose distinct challenges in water management, especially under pivot irrigation. In this article, UNL experts review factors that contribute to waterlogged soil and several practices that can improve drainage issues.

MICRA project team posing for photo — The University of Nebraska–Lincoln team working on the MICRA project includes (from left) Taro Mieno, agricultural economics; Daniel Schachtman, agronomy and horticulture; Saleh Taghvaeian, biological systems engineering; and Seunghee Kim, civil engineering. (Photo by Nick Kumpula, Research and Economic Development)

Nebraska Part of Interdisciplinary Team Examining Climate Resiliency Through Soil

September 28, 2023

The research team will experiment with soil amendments and biochar to measure their impact on soil water-holding capacity to find ways to improve preservation of soil moisture in farm fields.

Poultry Litter’s Agronomic and Natural Resource Benefits

January 8, 2020

Many Nebraska farmers are experienced with using beef feedlot and swine manures as fertility products. Over the next few years, Nebraska crop farmers may have opportunities to consider using broiler poultry litter as a soil amendment and fertilizer.

Soil Amendments

December 9, 2019

Soil amendments are any materials that when added to soil will improve its properties and processes. Amendments such as lime, gypsum, manure, or biochar can provide many benefits to production systems by improving soil chemical, physical, and biological properties. Some examples of production benefits from amendments include raising pH, adding nutrients, increasing soil organic matter, mitigating salt-affected soils, and improving soil water storage.