From complex histories to cohesive data, a long-term agricultural dataset from the Morrow Plots

Abstract Long-term agricultural experiments are essential to measure the impacts of farming practices on crop yields, soil fertility and biogeochemical processes. However, these impacts often only manifest at decadal timescales, requiring committed and consistent data collection that exceeds the tim...

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Main Authors: Sandi L. Caldrone, Andrew J. Margenot, Morrow Plots Data Curation Working Group
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-10-01
Series:Scientific Data
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-024-03984-9
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author Sandi L. Caldrone
Andrew J. Margenot
Morrow Plots Data Curation Working Group
author_facet Sandi L. Caldrone
Andrew J. Margenot
Morrow Plots Data Curation Working Group
author_sort Sandi L. Caldrone
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Long-term agricultural experiments are essential to measure the impacts of farming practices on crop yields, soil fertility and biogeochemical processes. However, these impacts often only manifest at decadal timescales, requiring committed and consistent data collection that exceeds the timelines for most experiments. The second oldest agricultural experiment in the world, the Morrow Plots at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (USA) has examined the impact of crop rotation and fertility treatments on maize (Zea mays L.) yields since 1876. While results have been widely reported since 1888, the publicly available longitudinal dataset described here now allows for validation of those past results, as well as new analyses and investigations. A multi-disciplinary team identified, collected, and aggregated multiple historical data sources into one comprehensive and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) dataset that synthesizes yield data and management practices from 1888–2021. Updated versions of the dataset will continue to be published as additional data from this ongoing experiment are made available and as new historical data sources are uncovered.
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spelling doaj-art-8a21971273b1419cb2cc6b49a0c15c212025-08-20T02:17:39ZengNature PortfolioScientific Data2052-44632024-10-0111111510.1038/s41597-024-03984-9From complex histories to cohesive data, a long-term agricultural dataset from the Morrow PlotsSandi L. Caldrone0Andrew J. Margenot1Morrow Plots Data Curation Working GroupUniversity of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUniversity of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignAbstract Long-term agricultural experiments are essential to measure the impacts of farming practices on crop yields, soil fertility and biogeochemical processes. However, these impacts often only manifest at decadal timescales, requiring committed and consistent data collection that exceeds the timelines for most experiments. The second oldest agricultural experiment in the world, the Morrow Plots at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (USA) has examined the impact of crop rotation and fertility treatments on maize (Zea mays L.) yields since 1876. While results have been widely reported since 1888, the publicly available longitudinal dataset described here now allows for validation of those past results, as well as new analyses and investigations. A multi-disciplinary team identified, collected, and aggregated multiple historical data sources into one comprehensive and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) dataset that synthesizes yield data and management practices from 1888–2021. Updated versions of the dataset will continue to be published as additional data from this ongoing experiment are made available and as new historical data sources are uncovered.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-024-03984-9
spellingShingle Sandi L. Caldrone
Andrew J. Margenot
Morrow Plots Data Curation Working Group
From complex histories to cohesive data, a long-term agricultural dataset from the Morrow Plots
Scientific Data
title From complex histories to cohesive data, a long-term agricultural dataset from the Morrow Plots
title_full From complex histories to cohesive data, a long-term agricultural dataset from the Morrow Plots
title_fullStr From complex histories to cohesive data, a long-term agricultural dataset from the Morrow Plots
title_full_unstemmed From complex histories to cohesive data, a long-term agricultural dataset from the Morrow Plots
title_short From complex histories to cohesive data, a long-term agricultural dataset from the Morrow Plots
title_sort from complex histories to cohesive data a long term agricultural dataset from the morrow plots
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-024-03984-9
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