Jan 01, 2025

Public workspaceUSDA ARS Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) Common Experiment

DOI
dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.14egn9m5ql5d/v1
  • 1USDA Agricultural Research Service, Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit, Columbia, MO;
  • 2USDA Agricultural Research Service, Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory, Mandan, ND;
  • 3Michigan State University KBS LTAR
Lori J. Abendroth
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DOI: dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.14egn9m5ql5d/v1
External link: https://ltar.ars.usda.gov
Collection Citation: Lori J. Abendroth, Mark A. Liebig, G Philip Robertson 2025. USDA ARS Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) Common Experiment. protocols.io https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.14egn9m5ql5d/v1
License: This is an open access collection distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License,  which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Protocol status: Working
We use this collection and it's working
Created: January 01, 2025
Last Modified: January 01, 2025
Collection Integer ID: 117475
Keywords: Long-Term Agroecosystem Research, LTAR, USDA LTAR, Common Experiment, cropland, grazing land, integrated
Funders Acknowledgements:
United States Department of Agriculture
Grant ID: -
Abstract
A component of the USDA ARS Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) network is a Common Experiment standardized across all sites. This collection contains all standardized protocols for the biophysical metrics collected in the Common Experiment.
Before start
We recommend starting with this protocol for overview and context:

Lori J. Abendroth, Mark A. Liebig, G Philip Robertson 2024. USDA LTAR Cropland Common Experiment: Standardized primary metric protocols. protocols.io
https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.261ge59pyg47/v1
Files
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Cropland Common Experiment: Standardized primary metric protocols
Name
USDA LTAR Cropland Common Experiment: Standardized primary metric protocols
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Aboveground biomass
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Aboveground biomass
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Concentration of carbon and nitrogen in aboveground biomass
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Concentration of carbon and nitrogen in aboveground biomass
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Concentration of phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur in aboveground biomass
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Concentration of phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur in aboveground biomass
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Obtaining quality metrics in forage aboveground biomass
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Obtaining quality metrics in forage aboveground biomass
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Collection of grain yield data using a yield monitor
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Collection of grain yield data using a yield monitor
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Post-processing of spatial grain yield data
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Post-processing of spatial grain yield data
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: PhenoCam for Green Chromatic Coordinate
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: PhenoCam for Green Chromatic Coordinate
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Soil organic carbon stocks and change
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Soil organic carbon stocks and change
Version 1
, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
SCarolina CórdovaUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Sediment flux
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Sediment flux
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment Measurement: Chamber-based fluxes of nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) from soil
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment Measurement: Chamber-based fluxes of nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) from soil
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Rainfall
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Rainfall
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Irrigation water applied
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Irrigation water applied
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Snow
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Snow
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Infiltration and percolation
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Infiltration and percolation
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Channelized surface flow discharge
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Channelized surface flow discharge
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Overland flow
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Overland flow
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Discharge from artificial subsurface drains
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Discharge from artificial subsurface drains
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Depth to water table
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Depth to water table
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Soil water content
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Soil water content
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Saturated hydraulic conductivity
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Saturated hydraulic conductivity
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Soil water potential and matric potential
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Soil water potential and matric potential
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Best practices for collection, handling, and analyses of water quantity measurements
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Best practices for collection, handling, and analyses of water quantity measurements
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Dissolved nitrate (NO3-) concentration
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Dissolved nitrate (NO3-) concentration
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Dissolved ammonia (NH3) concentration
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Dissolved ammonia (NH3) concentration
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Total nitrogen (TN) and total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) concentration
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Total nitrogen (TN) and total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) concentration
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Total phosphorus (TP) and total dissolved phosphorus (TDP) concentration
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Total phosphorus (TP) and total dissolved phosphorus (TDP) concentration
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Total suspended solids (TSS)
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Total suspended solids (TSS)
Version 2
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Best practices for collection, handling, and analyses of water quality samples
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Best practices for collection, handling, and analyses of water quality samples
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Cropland plant diversity
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Cropland plant diversity
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Non-crop plant biodiversity
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Non-crop plant biodiversity
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Crop scouting for pests and diseases
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Crop scouting for pests and diseases
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Cereal crop mycotoxin concentration
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Cereal crop mycotoxin concentration
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Natural pest suppression
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Natural pest suppression
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Protocol
Icon representing the file USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Butterfly diversity and abundance
Name
USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Butterfly diversity and abundance
Version 1
, USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Lori J. AbendrothUSDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit
Acknowledgements
This research is a contribution from the Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) network. LTAR is supported by the United States Department of Agriculture. The use of trade, firm, or corporation names in this publication is for the information and convenience of the reader. Such use does not constitute an official endorsement or approval by the United States Department of Agriculture or the Agricultural Research Service of any product or service to the exclusion of others that may be suitable. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.