This datatable is part of the Cropping Systems – Marginal Land Experiment dataset.

This dataset contains data on the biofuel cropping systems of the GLBRC Marginal Land Experiment (MLE) originally established in 2013 at north, central and south sites in Wisconsin and Michigan. The experiment consists of six different biofuel cropping systems (a.k.a. treatments; including switchgrass (G5), miscanthus (G6), native grasses (G7), hybrid poplar (G8), early successional (G9), and restored prairie (G10)) plus an historical vegetation control (G11), replicated in each of 4 blocks (R1-R4) at each site. 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.

Seasonal deployment of rainfall exclusion (rainout) shelters in the fertilized split plot of the switchgrass (G5) treatment began in 2018 to examine the effects of drought on plant growth. See the Marginal Land Rainfall Exclusion Experiment for these data.

Note that Block 1 at the Wisconsin Central – Hancock site was retired in 2015 and the entire Wisconsin South – Oregon site was retired after 2018 growing season when the maintenance, harvest, sampling and analysis of the remaining Wisconsin sites was transferred from UW staff to MSU staff.