COBS Experiment

COBS is a large, multi-investigator, long-term, cropping-systems experiment.  My research in COBS is to compare the productivity, phenology, growth rate, and diversity of multiple potential biofuel cropping systems including continuous corn, continuous corn with a cover crop, fertilized prairies, and unfertilized prairies.  In addition to being independently useful, my research will complement the other research being conducted at COBS which include detailed assessments of belowground and gaseous carbon and nitrogen cycles, assessment of the quality and quantity of water passing through the systems, and life cycle assessments of the cropping systems.

This is a picture of some of the treatments at COBS including diverse prairies, corn, and soybean.  COBS was established in 2008 at South Reynoldson Farm in Boone County, IA.

Links to You Tube videos featuring the COBS Experiment:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz5wHrxjy0M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OsjReg4-gY

Other COBS Information:

COBS Experiment Handout

COBS Experiment Poster made by Ranae Dietzel