1. Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics: Cover Crop Decomposition during the Following Cash Crop Growing Season

Nitrogen (N) loss from agriculture fields in the Corn Belt contributes to impaired waterways and the development of the “Dead Zone” in the Gulf of Mexico. It has been well established that cover crops can scavenge N, which results in a reduction of N loss via tile drainage. However, the literature suggests that increased C inputs from decomposing cover crop residue may result in N immobilization during the following cash crop growing season andnegative yield impacts. Therefore, the... C. Lacey