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Dryad

Long-term evapotranspiration rates for rainfed corn vs. perennial bioenergy crops in a mesic landscape

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Oct 29, 2019 version files 56.22 KB

Abstract

Hydrologic implications of the conversion of agricultural or conservation lands for annual vs. perennial bioenergy crop production are scarce. We converted three 22 year-old Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) grasslands and three 50+ year-old conventionally tilled corn-soybean rotation agricultural (AGR) lands to no-till corn, switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) or restored prairie. A seventh site was maintained in the preexisting CRP grassland dominated by smooth brome grass (Bromus inermis L.). We measured evapotranspiration (ET) using the eddy covariance method on all fields for over more than nine years (2009-2018). The ET data are presented for annual, growing season, and non-growing seasons. The difference in ET between corn and perennial crops is also presented for all seasons. In addition, aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) during peak growing season is presented.