The LTAR Cropland Common Experiment at Central Mississippi River Basin

The Central Mississippi River Basin (CMRB) Common Experiment, with its marginal soils and southern Corn Belt climate, is an ideal location for evaluating progress toward environmental, productivity, and climatic adaptation goals. Sustainable production with conventional row-crop systems is more challenging than in the upper Corn Belt, making evaluation and adoption of alternative farming practices crucial. This Common Experiment has a hydrologically restrictive layer causing reduced plant available water capacity in the root zone. The CMRB site joined the Long-Term Agroecosystem Research Network in 2011 with the Cropland Common Experiment established in 2015. The Common Experiment contrasts prevailing and alternative practices at plot and field scale. Improvement of the soil ecosystem is key, as it underpins other objectives, including reduced nutrient losses, increased soil water holding capacity, and yield stability. The Central Mississippi River Basin Common Experiment has a southern Corn Belt climate and soils with a hydrologically restrictive layer unique among Long-Term Agroecosystem Research sites. Improvements to the soil ecosystem are necessary to achieve production, environmental, and climate goals for this region. Yield stability is a key metric for farmers in this region due to high temporal and spatial yield variability. The capacity for improved environmental indicators here may be particularly valuable for guiding expectations in areas with less challenging soils.