07/01/2025

Peer Reviewed Research Publications

Askar, M.A., E. Ghane, M.A. Youssef, V.S. Shedekar, K.W. King, R. Bhattarai. 2024. Feasibility of predicting subsurface drainage discharge with DRAINMOD parameterized by uncalibrated SURRGO soil properties and ROSETTA3. Journal of Natural Resources and Agricultural Ecosystems. 22, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.13031/jnrae.15735 

Baird, A., Frankenberger, J., Bowling, L. and Kladivko, E., 2024. Impact of controlled drainage on crop yield including within-field variability. Journal of the ASABE, Vol. 67(3): 717-727. https://doi.org/10.13031/ja.15520. 

Bailon, APSB, Margenot, A., Cooke, RAC., and Chirstianson, LE. 2024. Denitrifying bioreactors and dissolved phosphorus: Net source or sink? Journal of Environmental Quality. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.20568 

Baum M.E., Sawyer J.E., Nafziger E.D., Castellano M.J., Mcdaniel M.D., Licht M.A., Hayes D.J., Helmers M.J., Archontoulis S.V. (2025) The optimum nitrogen fertilizer rate for maize in the US Midwest is increasing. Nature Communications 16. DOI: ARTN 404 10.1038/s41467-024-55314-7. 

Book, RS, J Frankenberger, LE Christianson, LR Prasad, Y Yuan. 2024. Effectiveness Overview of Agricultural Conservation Practices for Water Quality Improvement Part II. Journal of Natural Resources and Agricultural Systems. 2(3): 129-137.  https://doi.org/10.13031/jnrae.15804.  

Brunton, AM., Zilles, JL., Cooke, RA., and Christianson, LE. 2024. Nitrous oxide and methane production and consumption at five full-size denitrifying bioreactors treating subsurface drainage water. Science of the Total Environment, 919 (2024) 170956. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170956 

Diaz-Garcia, C., and Christianson, LE. 2024. Batch-mode denitrifying woodchip bioreactors for expanded treatment flexibility. Water. 16 (2) 206. doi:  https://doi.org/10.3390/w16020206

Drury C.F., Agomoh I.V., Yang X.M., Phillips L.A., Reynolds W.D., Helmers M.J., Calder W., Hedge T. (2024) Stacking nitrogen management practices: Combining double-slot fertilizer injection with urease and nitrification inhibitors improves yields and reduces ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions. Soil Science Society of America Journal. DOI: 10.1002/saj2.20677. 

Frankenberger, J., McMillan, S.K., Williams, M.R., Mazer, K., Ross, J. and Sohngen, B., 2024. Drainage water management: A review of nutrient load reductions and cost effectiveness. Journal of the ASABE. 67(4): 1077-1092. https://doi.org/10.13031/ja.15549 

Hartfiel, LM., Diaz-Garcia, C., Christianson, LE., and Soupir, ML. 2024. Scenario-based techno-economic analysis of pumped denitrification bioreactors. Water Rsources and Economics, 46 (2024) 100238. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wre.2024.100238 

 

Kaur, H., G. Singh, K.A. Nelson, and G. Kaur. 2024. Landscape position and cover crops affect soil properties in a no-till terrace-tile field. Catena 239:10784. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2024.107874. 

Kaur, H., G. Singh, K. Williard, J. Schoonover, K.A. Nelson, and G. Kaur.  2024.  Tillage and cover cropping influence phosphorus dynamics in soil and water pools.  Agrosyst. Geosci. & Environ. 7:e20570. doi: 10.1002/agg2.20570. 

Kaur, H., K.A. Nelson, G. Singh, G. Kaur, and M.P. Davis. 2024. Spring applied phosphorus loss with cover crops in no-till terraced field. Journal of Environmental Management. 335:120431. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120431.  

Kaur, H., K.A. Nelson, C.K. Wikle, R. Ferguson, and G. Singh. 2024. Nitrogen fertilizer and pronitridine rates for corn production in the Midwest U.S. Field Crops Research. 306:109200.  doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2023.109200. 

Kaur, H., K.A. Nelson, G. Singh, and R.P. Udawatta. 2024.  Cover crop impacts water quality in a tile-terraced no-till field with corn-soybean rotation. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment. 360:108794. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2023.108794.

Kaur, H., K.A. Nelson, R. Udawatta, and G. Kaur.  2024.  Subsurface drainage and nitrogen management affects soil properties in upstate Missouri U.S. Geoderma Regional. 39:e00888. doi:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geodrs.2024.e00888. 

Kaur, H., and K.A. Nelson. 2024.  Subsurface drainage and nitrogen fertilizer management affect fertilizer fate in claypan soils. Sustainability, 16:6477. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/su16156477. 

Lacroix, E.M., A. Gomes, G. Barratt Heitmann, D. Schuler, A. Dekas, D. Liptzin, E. Aberle, D. Watts, K.A. Nelson, S. Culman, and S. Fendorf. 2024. Microbial proxies for anoxic microsites vary with management and partially explain soil carbon concentration. Environmental Science & Technol. 58, 11459−11469. doi: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.4c01882. 

Lawrence N, Hall SJ. 2024. Mechanisms underlying episodic nitrogen and phosphorus leaching from poorly drained agricultural soils. Journal of Environmental Quality 53: 643-656. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.20597 

Licht M.A., Comito J., Helmers M.J., Ripley E., Staudt A. (2025) Iowa learning farms: Utilizing research to develop and deliver extension outreach programs across multiple constituencies. Journal of Environmental Quality 54:747-761. DOI: 10.1002/jeq2.70008. 

Liebman M., Helmers M.J. (2024) Multiyear productivity and nitrate-nitrogen loss from corn and prairie bioenergy cropping systems. Agronomy Journal 116:3053-3069. DOI: 10.1002/agj2.21713. 

Loper H., Tenesaca C., Pederson C., Helmers M.J., Crumpton W.G., Lemke D., Hall S.J. (2024) Insights on agricultural nitrate leaching from soil block mesocosms. Journal of Environmental Quality. DOI: 10.1002/jeq2.20586. 

Lyons S.E., Arnall D.B., Ashford-Kornburger D., Brouder S.M., Christian E., Dobermann A., Haefele S.M., Haegele J., Helmers M.J., Jin V.L., Margenot A.J., Mcgrath J.M., Morgan K.T., Murrell T.S., Osmond D.L., Pelster D.E., Slaton N.A., Vadas P.A., Venterea R.T., Volenec J.J., Wagner-Riddle C. (2025) Field trial guidelines for evaluating enhanced efficiency fertilizers. Soil Science Society of America Journal 89. DOI: ARTN e20787 10.1002/saj2.20787. 

Maxwell, BM., Christianson, RD., Arch, R., Johnson, S., Book, R., and Christianson, LE. 2024. Applied denitrifying bioreactor cost efficiencies based on empirical construction costs and nitrate removal. Journal of Environmental Management, 352 (2024) 120054. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120054 

Mitchell M.E., Anteau M.J., Pearse A.T., Newcomer-Johnson T., Christensen J., Crumpton W., Dyson B., Canfield T.J., Helmers M., Green D., Forshay K.J. (2025) Modeling Wetland Resources for Spring Migratory Waterbirds Under Different Agricultural Management Scenarios in the Iowa Portion of the Prairie Pothole Region, USA. Wetlands 45. DOI: ARTN 48 10.1007/s13157-025-01930-y. 

Nelson, E.P., Scherer, T.F., and Jia, X. 2024. Flow rate and volume estimates from variable frequency drive operated drainage sump pumps. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 40 (1) 51-67. doi:   https://doi.org/10.13031/aea.15790

Niaghi, Ali R , Axel Garcia y Garcia, Jeffrey S. Strock. 2024. Supplemental Irrigation with Recycled Drainage Water: Outcomes for Corn and Soybean in a Fine-Textured Soil. Agronomy, 14, 1948. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14091948 

Osterholz, W., Simpson, Z., Williams, M., Shedekar, V., Penn, C., King, K. 2024. New phosphorus losses via tile drainage depend on fertilizer form, placement, and timing. Journal of Environmental Quality 53 (2) 241-252. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.20549 

Rudko, N., McMillan, S.K., Frankenberger, J., Lay, D.W. and Limiac, A., 2024. Water quality sampling provides insight into nutrient sources and pathways in an agricultural watershed in the Midwestern USA. Journal of Natural Resources and Agricultural Ecosystems, 2(4), pp.153-165. 

Rui, Y., B. Goller, and E.J. Kladivko. 2024.   Long-term crop yield benefits of subsurface drainage on poorly drained soils Agron. J.  https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.21621  

Russell, D., G. Singh, N. Quintana-Ashwell, G. Kaur, D. Gholson, J. Krutz, and K.A. Nelson. 2024. Cover crops and irrigation impacts on corn production and economic returns. Agric. Water Manage. 295:08739. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2024.108739. 

Singh, G., M.P. Davis, K.A. Nelson, and G. Kaur. 2024.  Drainage water management, woodchip bioreactor, and saturated riparian buffer as stacked conservation practices for improving crop yields and water quality.  Environ. Technol. & Innovation, 36:103779. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2024.103779. 

Wang, H., J. Strock, A. Ranaivoson, and S. Ishii. 2024. Bioremediation of Nitrate in Agricultural Drainage Ditches: Impacts of Low-Grade Weirs on Microbiomes and Nitrogen Cycle Gene Abundance. Science of the Total Environment. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177070 

Waring E.R.*, Pederson C., Lagzdins A., Clifford C., Helmers M.J. (2024) Water and soil quality respond to no-tillage and cover crops differently through 10 years of implementation. Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment 360. DOI: ARTN 108791 10.1016/j.agee.2023.108791. 

 

Extension Publications

Author(s)	Year	Title	Publication Name (Website or Place Stored etc)	State/Region	Practice/Topic	Size (pages, time length, etc.)	Type	Resource Category	Access link
E. Ghane	2024	Mole Drains	MSU Extension Bulletin E3452	National	Conventional Drainage	8	PDF	Fact Sheet	https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/mole-drains
E. Ghane	2024	Iron Ochre	MSU Extension Bulletin E3453	National	Conventional Drainage	8	PDF	Fact Sheet	https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/iron-ochre
E. Ghane	2024	A Guide for Monitoring Phosphorus.	MSU Extension Bulletin E3484	National	Monitoring of tile drainage	4	PDF	Fact Sheet	https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/a-guide-for-monitoring-phosphorus
Easton, Z.M.	2024	Denitrification Management	VCE Extension Fact Sheet BSE-54P	National	Managing the N cycle	5	PDF	Fact Sheet	https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/pubs_ext_vt_edu/en/BSE/BSE-54/BSE-54.html#:~:text=Denitrification%20Management%20(PDF)
T. Groh	2024	Constructed and Restored Wetlands in the Agricultural Landscape	Pennsylvania Clean Water Academy	Pennsylvania/Mid Atlantic Region	Wetland	1.5 Hours	Video	Video	https://pacleanwateracademy.remote-learner.net/course/view.php?id=1310

 

07/31/2026

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Aslam, M.M., G. Singh, K.A. Nelson, and G. Kaur. 2025. Enhancing soybean yields through bioinoculants and topographic position site-specific management strategies. International Journal of Plant Production 19:799-814. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42106-025-00369-9

Bansal, C., G. Singh, K.A. Nelson, and G. Kaur. 2025. Soil health responses to terrace construction - part I. Soil Security 21:100218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soisec.2025.100218

Barker, R.W., M.J. Helmers, and M.D. McDaniel. 2025. Cover crops can mitigate no-tillage-induced labile phosphorus stratification. Soil Science Society of America Journal 89:e70064. https://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.70064

Baum, M.E., J.E. Sawyer, E.D. Nafziger, M.J. Castellano, M.D. McDaniel, M.A. Licht, D.J. Hayes, M.J. Helmers, and S.V. Archontoulis. 2025. The optimum nitrogen fertilizer rate for maize in the U.S. Midwest is increasing. Nature Communications 16:404. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-55314-7

Dialameh, B., E. Ghane, and M. Youssef. 2025. DRAINMOD predicted impact of climate change on hydrology, corn yield, and drainage design in the Western Lake Erie Basin, United States. Agricultural Water Management 109641. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2025.109641

Ghane, E., Abdalaal, Y., Tehrani, A., 2025. Paired-field evaluation of a saturated buffer reveals significant water-quality benefits through upstream weir management. Agricultural Water Management. 109664. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2025.109664

Hall, S.J., J.R. Frankenberger, L.E. Christianson, T.A. Groh, and M.P. Davis. 2025. Can conservation drainage practices contribute to climate change mitigation? Journal of Environmental Quality 54(6):1698-1721. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.70058

Henning, E., A. Arenas, and M. Helmers. 2026. Hydrologic and crop production impacts of drainage district outlet improvements. Journal of Natural Resources and Agricultural Ecosystems 4(1):9-20. https://doi.org/10.13031/jnrae.16503

Huang, H., P.Y. Cao, B. Yi, D. Green, G. Johnson, M. Helmers, T. Isenhart, W. Crumpton, and C.Q. Lu. 2026. Combining in-field and edge-of-field practices enhances nitrate reduction in tile-drained catchments. Water Research 298:125852. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2026.125852

Kadari, P.K., G. Singh, K.A. Nelson, G. Kaur, and A. Rocha, Jr. 2025. Nitrapyrin application at different topographic positions affects corn productivity and economic returns. Agronomy Journal 117:e70239. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.70239

Mehzabin, S., K. Stephenson, and Z.M. Easton. 2026. Performance of a large-scale woodchip bioreactor treating legacy nitrogen in emergent groundwater under varying environmental and management conditions. Journal of Environmental Management. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.128917

Myers-Bailey, G.M., P.E. Rockson, D.S. Andersen, K.J. Moore, M.J. Helmers, and D.R. Raman. 2026. Assessing the impact of perennial groundcover and interseeded annual cover crops on maize yield and drainage water quality. Journal of Environmental Quality 55:e70175. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.70175

Oliveira, L. A., Foltz, M. E., Zilles, J. L., & Christianson, L. E. (2025). Dissolved nitrous oxide in subsurface drainage under stacking split nitrogen management and cereal rye cover cropping. Agricultural Water Management, 318, 109724. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2025.109724

Sahraei, M., Y. Askarzadeh, S. Ebrahimzadeh, F. Gorginpaveh, J. McMaine, and A. Liaghat. 2025. “ Removal of Nitrate and Phosphorus in Aqueous Solutions by MgO-Modified Biochars: Adsorption Isotherms.” Remediation 36: 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1002/rem.70045.

Salceda-Gonzalez, M., R.P. Udawatta, L.M. Rankoth, and K.A. Nelson. 2025. Effects of cover crops on subsurface flow, total suspended solids (TSS), and phosphorus losses: A paired watershed study in Missouri Claypan soils. Sustainable Water Resources Management 11:44. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-025-01223-6

Strock, J., M. Youssef, H. Moursi, K.A. Nelson, A. Ranaivoson, and C. Poole. 2025. A synthesis of soybean yield response to controlled drainage under varying precipitation patterns in the U.S. Midwest. Agricultural Water Management. 318:109707. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2025.109707

Extension Publications, Technical Reports, and Conference Proceedings

Bansal, C., G. Singh, G. Kaur, and K.A. Nelson. 2025. Terrace Construction Effects on Soil Fertility, Texture and Apparent Electrical Conductivity. Proceedings of the North Central Extension-Industry Soil Fertility Conference, Des Moines, IA. https://northcentralfertility.com/proceedings/?action=abstract&id=12917&title=Terrace+Construction+Effects+on+Soil+Fertility%2C+Texture+and+Apparent+Electrical+Conductivity&search=years.

Bansal, C., G. Singh, K.A. Nelson, and G. Kaur. 2025. Assessment of Soil Health Changes After Terrace Construction. Abstract. Soil Health Institute Virtual Meeting, December 3-4.

Bansal, C., G. Singh, K.A. Nelson, and G. Kaur. 2025. Blind Inlets Effects on Agricultural Drainage Water Quality and Crop Production. Abstract. UCOWR/NIWR Annual Water Resources Conference, Minneapolis, MN, June 3-5.

Bansal, C., G. Singh, K.A. Nelson, and G. Kaur. 2025. Terrace Tile Inlet Technologies for Reducing Sediment and Nutrient Loss in Runoff. Abstract. Conservation Drainage Network Annual Meeting, Urbana, IL, April 1-3.

Ghane, E. 2025. Controlled Drainage Beyond Flat Fields. https://www.canr.msu.edu/drainage/conservation-drainage/controlled-drainage.

Ghane, E. 2025. Unveiling the True Potential of Saturated Buffers. https://www.canr.msu.edu/drainage/conservation-drainage/saturated-buffer.

Kadari, P.K., G. Singh, K.A. Nelson, and G. Kaur. 2025. Anhydrous Ammonia with Nitrapyrin Increases Corn Yield and Profitability Across Topographic Positions. Northern Missouri Research, Extension, and Education Center Field Day Annual Report, SR607.

Kaur, G., K.A. Nelson, and G. Singh, editors. 2025. Field Day Annual Report. Northern Missouri Research, Extension & Education Center. University of Missouri Extension. SR607. https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/sr607.

Kaur, M., G. Singh, G. Kaur, and K.A. Nelson. 2025. Corn Response to Flooding Stress and Post-Flood Recovery Nitrogen Management. Abstract. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2025am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/168202.

Kaur, M., G. Kaur, K.A. Nelson, and G. Singh. 2025. Nitrogen and Sulfur Applications to Soybean for Flooding Recovery in Northern Missouri. Abstract. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT.

Kjaersgaard, J., and L. Pease. 2025. Research and Demonstration of Agricultural Drainage Practices and Management in Northwest Minnesota. Report.

Paul, R., G. Singh, K.A. Nelson, G. Kaur, and M. Parvej. 2025. Optimizing Nitrogen Application in Corn with and Without a Nitrification Inhibitor. Proceedings of the North Central Extension-Industry Soil Fertility Conference, Des Moines, IA. https://northcentralfertility.com/proceedings/?action=abstract&id=12919&title=Optimizing+Nitrogen+Application+in+Corn+with+and+Without+a+Nitrification+Inhibitor&search=years.

Paul, R.M., G. Singh, K.A. Nelson, R. Parvej, and G. Kaur. 2025. Soil Health and Fertility Responses to Nitrogen Application Timing, Rate and Nitrification Inhibitor Use. Abstract. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2025am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/167732.

Singh, G., G. Kaur, and K.A. Nelson. 2025. Influence of P and K Fertilizer Placement with Strip-Tillage on Yield and Soil Dynamics in Terraced Landscapes. Abstract. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2025am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/167533.

Singh, G., K.A. Nelson, and G. Kaur. 2025. Fertilizer Placement Method and Stacked Conservation Practice Effects on Runoff Water Quality and Crop Production. Abstract. UCOWR/NIWR Annual Water Resources Conference, Minneapolis, MN, June 3-5.

Singh, G., K.A. Nelson, and G. Kaur. 2025. Stacked Conservation Practices: A Key to Improved Water Management.Great Plains Water Conference, Omaha, NE, September 18-19.

Steinkamp, D.J., K.A. Nelson, G. Singh, M.P. Davis, and G. Kaur. 2025. DCD Rates Affect Corn Response and Nitrogen Fate in Claypan Soils. Abstract. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2025am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/166417.

Yadav, D., G. Singh, K.A. Nelson, and G. Kaur. 2025. Blind Inlets Effects on Agricultural Drainage Water Quality and Crop Production. Abstract. UCOWR/NIWR Annual Water Resources Conference, Minneapolis, MN, June 3-5.

Educational Media

Ghane, E. 2025. Legacy Phosphorus: The Enduring Hidden Driver of Tile Drainage Loss. News article. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/legacy-phosphorus-the-enduring-hidden-driver-of-tile-drainage-loss.

Ghane, E. 2025. No Payoff from High Soil-Test Phosphorus: Save Fertilizer and Protect Water Quality. News article. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/no-payoff-from-high-soil-test-phosphorus-save-fertilizer-and-protect-water-quality.

Ghane, E. 2025. Controlled Drainage Isn't Just for Flat Fields Anymore. News article. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/controlled-drainage-isn-t-just-for-flat-fields-anymore.

Ghane, E. 2025. Saturated Buffers: Proven Practice with New Surprises. News article. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/saturated-buffers-proven-practice-with-new-surprises.

Ghane, E. 2025. Why Winter Manure Spreading Is Risky: Time Lapse Tells the Story. Video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62LwsdOOMq4.

Kjaersgaard, J. 2026. Controlled Drainage and Stream Bank Restoration in the Red River Valley of Western Minnesota. Video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Fh7RjS-PEM.

Kjaersgaard, J. 2026. Putting Controlled Drainage to the Test. Podcast. https://www.watertable.ag/the-podcast/.

Mehan, S. 2026. Comparison of Different Tile Drainage Systems: Year 1 Results. Video. https://youtu.be/fMgNRFUi0ok?si=6eHzUoIWyxVlIUQP.