Sanborn Field

This experiment has been added by the GLTEN Curators using existing published sources.
Objective
The current objectives of Sanborn Field are to document soil changes, crop response, and nutrient balance under selected monoculture and crop rotations; demonstrate results of interactions that occur through differential management of the soil–plant–environment continuum; and properly archive soil and plant samples for future means of identifying effects of environmental changes.
Description
Sanborn Field was initiated in late 1888 as the “Rotation Field” by Dean J. W. Sanborn on the campus of University of Missouri-Columbia to demonstrate the value of crop rotations and manure in grain crop and forage production. One of the most significant discoveries from Sanborn Field was the isolation of the fungus Streptomyces aureofaciens, which produced one of first generation antibiotics, aureomycin. The field was designated a National Historical Landmark in 1965.
Data Access Statement
Other
Data license
Other
Data policy
Don't know
Organization
University of Missouri
research organisation
People

Site: Sanborn Field

Type
research station field
Location
University of Missouri
Missouri
USA
Geographic location
38.9425556, -92.3205556
+−
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Elevation
238 Metres
Visits permitted?
No
Soil description
Mexico silt loam (fine, smectitic, mesic Aeric Vertic Epiaqualfs)

Design period: (1888—)

Design Type
Demonstration strip design
Description
Upchurch et al., (1985) and Miles RJ. & Brown JR. (2011) give detailed descriptions of treatment changes and crop rotations for plots over time.
Design description
The Field consists of 44 separate plots with each plot's area (except Plot 24) consisting of approximately 0.29 ha and measuring 30.55 by 9.42 m. Plots numbered 1 to 7 and 9 to 39 are managed in ongoing historic monoculture or rotation crop systems. Plots 40 to 44 are used for other research, teaching, and demonstration projects. Plot 45 was planted to native warm season grass in 1990 to assess carbon sequestration. Treatments are not replicated.
Number of plots
44
Crops
CropYears grown
maize
wheat
soybeans
Timothy grass
red clover
sorghum
Crop Rotations
Continuous corn  1888—
  • 1
    maize
Continuous wheat  1888—
  • 1
    wheat
Continuous Timothy  1888—
  • 1
    Timothy grass
C-W-RC  1888—
  • 1
    maize
  • 2
    wheat
  • 3
    red clover
Continuous soybeans  1990—
  • 1
    soybeans
GS-SB-W(rc)  1990—
  • 1
    sorghum
  • 2
    soybeans
  • 3
    wheat
    red clover
    interseeded as a green manure
C-SB-W-RC  1990—
  • 1
    maize
  • 2
    soybeans
  • 3
    wheat
  • 4
    red clover
C-SB-W(rc)  1990—
  • 1
    maize
  • 2
    soybeans
  • 3
    wheat
    red clover
    interseeded as a green manure
Factors
Factor name
Factor levels
crop rotation
fertilizer exposure
Full fertility
NPK fertilizer exposure
No fertility
Manure plus nitrogen
manure
Full fertility minus potassium
Full fertility minus phosphorous
Full fertility minus nitrogen
tillage process
Applied to Continuous corn rotation only
conventional tillage
no-till

Related publications