uid=KBS,o=lter,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=orgalluid=sbohm,o=lter,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=orgallpublicreadhttps://lter.kbs.msu.edu/datasets/178.emlCropping Systems – Marginal Land Experiment at the Kellogg Biological Station, Hickory Corners, MI (2012 to 2025)KurtThelenMichigan State UniversityUS(517) 355-0271 x1232thelenk3@msu.edu0000-0003-3464-0826RandyJacksonUniversity of WisconsinUS(608)262-1390rdjackson@wisc.edu0000-0002-8033-1250G.RobertsonMichigan State University3700 East Gull Lake DriveHickory CornersMI49060US(269) 760-8364(269)671-2351robert30@msu.edu0000-0001-9771-9895GreggSanfordUniversity of WisconsinMadisonWisconsin53706USgregg.r.sanford@gmail.com0000-0001-5019-9095G.RobertsonMichigan State University3700 East Gull Lake DriveHickory CornersMI49060US(269) 760-8364(269)671-2351robert30@msu.edu0000-0001-9771-9895principal contactGreggSanfordUniversity of WisconsinMadisonWisconsin53706USgregg.r.sanford@gmail.com0000-0001-5019-9095principal contactToddMartinMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSmartint6@msu.eduprincipal contactPavaniTumbalamMichigan State UniversityUStumbala1@msu.edu0000-0001-9636-5001principal contactStaceyVanderWulpMichigan State University3700 East Gull Lake DriveHickory CornersMI49060US(269) 671-2339(269) 671-2333vanderws@msu.eduprincipal contact2026-05-16Dataset Abstractoriginal data source http://lter.kbs.msu.edu/datasets/178LTERKBSKellogg Biological StationHickory CornersMichiganGreat LakesyieldPrimary ProductionPopulationsLTER Core Research Areafarmingbiotahttps://apps.usgs.gov/thesaurus/thesaurus-full.php?thcode=15Data in the KBS LTER core database may not be published without written permission of the lead investigator or project director. These restrictions are intended mainly to preserve the primary investigators' rights to first publication and to ensure that data users are aware of the limitations that may be associated with any specific data set. These restrictions apply to both the baseline data set and to the data sets associated with specific LTER-supported subprojects.All publications of KBS data and images must acknowledge KBS LTER support.The areas around the Kellogg Biological Station in southwest Michigan-85.404699-85.36685742.42026542.3910192012-09-182025-10-03Kellogg Biological StationData Managerlter.data.manager@kbs.msu.eduhttp://lter.kbs.msu.edu02vkce854KBS LTERThe GLBRC Marginal Land Experiment (MLE) was established in 2013 at north, central and south sites in Wisconsin and Michigan to evaluate the potential use of low productivity fields for low-input bioenergy biomass production. Six potential biofuel cropping systems (a.k.a. treatments; G5-G10 including switchgrass, miscanthus, native grasses, poplar, early successional, and restored prairie, respectively) from the GLBRC Biofuel Cropping Systems Experiment (BCSE) plus an historical vegetation control (G11) are replicated in each of 4 blocks (R1-R4). Split plot treatments were initiated in 2014-2016 to examine the effect of nitrogen fertilization [plus_n (+N) vs control (0N)] on all cropping systems. For more Information on site details, plot layout, and cropping systems see Marginal Land Experiment. For a taxonomic description of soils from each site, see Kasmerchak and Schaetzl (2018).
Both surface and deep-core soil samples are taken and may be analyzed for bulk density, total carbon and nitrogen, inorganic nitrogen, and for agronomic analysis and fertilizer/liming recommendations. Canopy species composition, annual net primary production (ANPP), and dry matter yields are measured in each of the cropping systems. Different methods are needed for ANPP and/or yield measurements of the poplar (G8) and historical vegetation (G11) treatments. Search for GLBRC Marginal land sites under Areas in the ag log for more specifics on sampling/harvesting equipment and procedures.
Each site has a weather station that records 5-minute observations of on-site conditions. Water profilers are installed in three replicates of each of the switchgrass (G5), poplar (G8) and restored prairie (G10) treatments; measurements are recorded at 0, 30 and 60 cm depths.
In 2018, a rainfall exclusion experiment was established in the fertilized split plot of the switchgrass (G5) treatment to examine the effects of drought on switchgrass For more information, see the Marginal Land Rainfall Exclusion Experiment protocol.
Note that Block 1 at the Wisconsin Central – Hancock site was retired in 2015. Also, the entire Wisconsin South – Oregon site was retired after the 2018 growing season due to high soil fertility and the maintenance, sampling, harvest and analysis of the remaining Wisconsin sites was transferred from UW staff to MSU staff.GLBRC Marginal Land Experiment – SamplingData Managerhttp://glbrc.kbs.msu.edu/protocols/181Stand counts can be used to evaluate seedling emergence, density, and distribution. We use the Vogel-Masters stand count method (Vogel and Masters, 2001) in herbaceous perennial treatments to measure frequency of occurrence or stand percentages of a single target species (i.e., switchgrass, miscanthus) or of a given growth form (i.e., native grasses). Dividing the frequency of occurrence by the total area examined provides a conservative estimate of plant density (plants/m2).
This protocol should be completed annually during the establishment phase.Stand Counts – PerennialsData Managerhttp://lter.kbs.msu.edu/protocols/175The composition and cover of canopy-forming plant species in grass, forb and perennial treatments of GLBRC Experiments is determined by the Line-Point Intercept (LPI) method. The LPI procedure consists of lowering a sampling pin or rod through the vegetation at regular intervals along a set of transects in each plot and recording the first plant species intercepted vertically in its path or the type of ground cover if not intercepted by plants. Percent cover for each plant species is calculated as the number of times that species is recorded (a “hit”) divided by the total number of sampling points along the transect. Height of the intercepted plant is also measured to provide information on community structure.
Sampling frequency: Once annually at or near maturity of the dominant plant species, typically August-September.
Sampling details:
Marginal Land Experiment: beginning 2017; Treatments G5-11; 4 transects/plot: 2 in the fertilized portion and 2 in the unfertilized. Method 2
Biofuel Cropping System Experiment: beginning 2018, Treatments G2-10; 3 NS transects per plot, main only. Each transect predetermined distance and direction from the station flags and numbered 1-3 based on the station number. Stop about every 1m to identify and measure first intercepted plant. Method 2
GLBRC Scale-up Experiment: beginning 2018; 4 NS transects stretching the full length of fields L2, L3, M2, M3, M4. Stop about every 5m to identify and measure first intercepted plant. Method 2Canopy Species Composition and Height - Line-point Intercept MethodData Managerhttp://lter.kbs.msu.edu/protocols/198https://lter.kbs.msu.edu/datatables/786Kellogg Biological Station LTER: Crop Quality (GLBRC086-004)Crop sugars from plants of the GLBRC Marginal Land experiment sitesCrop+Quality.csvNone331\ncolumn,no"\https://data.sustainability.glbrc.org/datatables/786.csvexperimentthe experiment namethe experiment namedatethe collection (harvest) dateYYYY-MM-DD11987-4-18sitethe location of the marginal land sitethe location of the marginal land sitetreatmentthe treatmentthe treatmentreplicatethe field replicate blockthe field replicate blockfield_sectionthe field sectionthe field sectionsubplotthe subplot treatmentthe subplot treatmentcropthe crop harvestedthe crop harvestedfractionthe crop fraction analyzedthe crop fraction analyzedcommentscomments about this observationcomments about this observationarea_harvested_ft2the area harvested in square feetsquareFootrealdry_matter_yield_mg_hathe dry matter yield in Mg/hamegagramsPerHectarerealglucosethe percent glucose in the biomass (%)gramsPerHectogramrealpentosethe percent pentose in the biomass (%)gramsPerHectogramrealhttps://lter.kbs.msu.edu/datatables/465Kellogg Biological Station LTER: Dry Matter Yield (GLBRC094-002)Dry matter yields from the Marginal Land Experiment (MLE) at sites in Michigan and Wisconsin. Yield data are for machine harvests of herbaceous perennial treatments (G5-G7, G9-G10), clear-cut harvests of poplar (G8), and hand-sampled harvest estimates of the unharvested historical vegetation reference (G11). Data are expressed as Mg dry matter per hectare.
Note: G11 was hand-harvested at 3 stations per split plot from 2015-2017 and since 2018 at 2 stations per split plot. The average harvest per split plot is given here; raw data available on request.Dry+Mater+Yield.csvNone421\ncolumn,no"\https://data.sustainability.glbrc.org/datatables/465.csvyearyear of the growing seasonYYYY-MM-DD11987-4-18harvest_datedate of harvest or G11 samplingYYYY-MM-DD11987-4-18siteexperiment locationexperiment locationtreatmentexperimental treatmentexperimental treatmentreplicatereplicate nested within treatmentreplicate nested within treatmentcropcropcropfield_sectionsection of the field (entire, east, west, north, south)section of the field (entire, east, west, north, south)n_treatmentnitrogen experimental treatmentnitrogen experimental treatmentarea_harvested_ft2area harvestedsquareFootrealdry_matter_yield_mg_hayield as dry mattermegagramsPerHectarerealmoisture_at_harvestpercent moisture measured at harvestgramsPerHectogramrealcommentsspecific notes for a given rowspecific notes for a given rowhttps://lter.kbs.msu.edu/datatables/467Kellogg Biological Station LTER: Agronomic Log (GLBRC094-004)Record of agronomic and sampling activities carried out on the GLBRC Marginal Land Experiment (MLE) sites in Michigan and Wisconsin.Agronomic+Log.csvNone281\ncolumn,no"\https://data.sustainability.glbrc.org/datatables/467.csvobs_datedate the activity occurredYYYY-MM-DD11987-4-18observation_typetype of activity performedtype of activity performedcommentaglog entryaglog entrynamestate, site (northern, central or southern), treatment, replicatestate, site (northern, central or southern), treatment, replicatematerialmaterial appliedmaterial appliedraterate the material is applied atrealunitsrate unitrate unitequipmentequipmentequipmentobservation_idobservation id. This can be used to retrieve the original observation at http://aglog.kbs.msu.edu/observations/realhttps://lter.kbs.msu.edu/datatables/499Kellogg Biological Station LTER: Switchgrass Varieties Planted (GLBRC094-006)Switchgrass varieties planted on the GLBRC Marginal Land Experiment by treatment. Note that in addition to the switchgrass treatment (G5), switchgrass is also included in the native grasses (G7) and restored prairie (G10) mix. Panicum virgatum var. Cave-in-Rock is a non-native variety and Panicum virgatum var. Southlow is a native variety. Switchgrass varieties planted on all GLBRC experiments can be found at: data.sustainability.glbrc.org/datatables/493Switchgras+Varieties+Planted.csvNone261\ncolumn,no"\https://data.sustainability.glbrc.org/datatables/499.csvyearyear of plantingYYYY11987-4-18siteexperiment locationexperiment locationexperimentGLBRC experimentGLBRC experimenttreatmentexperimental treatmentexperimental treatmentspeciesswitchgrass species including the varietyswitchgrass species including the varietysourceWhere the seed was purchased from.Where the seed was purchased from.commentscommentscommentshttps://lter.kbs.msu.edu/datatables/620Kellogg Biological Station LTER: Stand Counts of Perennial Crops (GLBRC094-014)Stand counts of perennial crops are occasionally conducted to monitor growth and recruitment at GLBRC Marginal Land Experiment sites.Stand+Counts+of+Perenial+Crops.csvNone271\ncolumn,no"\https://data.sustainability.glbrc.org/datatables/620.csvsample_datesampling datesampling daten_treatmentnitrogen treatment (with vs. without nitrogen fertilization)nitrogen treatment (with vs. without nitrogen fertilization)average_stand_countaverage stand count squareMeterhttps://lter.kbs.msu.edu/datatables/588Kellogg Biological Station LTER: Aboveground Peak Plant Biomass (GLBRC126-001)Peak plant biomass is measured annually in the fall at each site in the Marginal Land Experiment and serves as an estimate of Annual Net Primary Production (ANPP).Aboveground+Peak+Plant+Biomas.csvNone361\ncolumn,no"\https://data.sustainability.glbrc.org/datatables/588.csvyearyear of sampling dateyear of sampling datesitesite of marginal land experimentsite of marginal land experimentcampaignexperimental campaignexperimental campaigntreatmenttreatment in MLE sitetreatment in MLE sitereplicatenested replicates of treatmentnested replicates of treatmentfield_sectionfield section within replicatefield section within replicaten_treatmentnitrogen adding or controlnitrogen adding or controlarea_sampledsampling areasquareMeterintegerwet_weightwet weight of plant samplekilogramrealdry_weightdry weight of plant samplekilogramrealbiomasscrop biomassgramsPerSquareMeterrealmoisturepercent moisturegramsPerHectogramrealhttps://lter.kbs.msu.edu/datatables/592Kellogg Biological Station LTER: Plant Canopy Species and Height (GLBRC126-002)Canopy species composition and height is surveyed at or near maturity of the dominant plant species using the line point intercept methodPlant+Canopy+Species+and+Height.csvNone281\ncolumn,no"\https://data.sustainability.glbrc.org/datatables/592.csvsample_datesample dateYYYY-MM-DD11987-4-18siteexperimental siteexperimental sitetreatmenttreatment sampledtreatment sampledreplicatereplicate sampledreplicate sampledsplit_plotplus_n or control (no N) subplotplus_n or control (no N) subplotspeciesspecies of first plant intercepted or ground cover type if no plant interceptedspecies of first plant intercepted or ground cover type if no plant interceptedheightheight of the first plant interceptedcentimeterrealhas_lodgedhad the plant that was measured lodged? True (t) or false (f)had the plant that was measured lodged? True (t) or false (f)commentscomments about the observationcomments about the observationhttps://lter.kbs.msu.edu/datatables/705Kellogg Biological Station LTER: Poplar Tree Diameters (GLBRC126-003)Diameter of 10 random poplar trees in the center 2 rows of each split plot measured at 15 cm above the ground in late fall to early winter to estimate annual woody production.Poplar+Tre+Diameters.csvNone271\ncolumn,no"\https://data.sustainability.glbrc.org/datatables/705.csvsample_datethe measurement dateYYYY-MM-DD11987-4-18locationthe experiment location or site.the experiment location or site.plotthe plot sampledthe plot sampledtreatmentthe treatment sampledthe treatment sampledreplicatethe replicate sampledthe replicate samplednitrogen_additionthe nitrogen addition split-plotthe nitrogen addition split-plotsideThe side of the field the sample is taken from.The side of the field the sample is taken from.diameter_cmthe diameter of a randomly selected tree at 15 cm above the groundcentimeterreal@article{citation_4130,
author = {Lukas P Bell-Dereske and Gian Maria Niccolò Benucci and Pedro Beschoren da Costa and Gregory Bonito and Maren L Friesen and Lisa K Tiemann and Sarah E Evans},
title = {Regional biogeography versus intra-annual dynamics of the root and soil microbiome},
year = {2023},
journal = {Environmental Microbiome},
pages = {50},
volume = {18},
doi = {10.1186/s40793-023-00504-x}
}