ISU study explores stover use

AMES, Iowa — Corn stover has been used for many years as bedding and food for livestock, as well as to nourish and protect soils.

In recent years, the ubiquitous stalk, leaf and cob residue of corn plants left in fields after harvest has found a new market: as a potential source for cellulosic ethanol production.

But harvesting the stover — which, when left in place, halts erosion and supplies vital nutrients back to the soil — could have unintended consequences.

A comprehensive new study by Iowa State University agronomy researchers may soon shed light on these questions.

Last fall, Mahdi Al-Kaisi, ISU Extension soil management specialist, and ISU Extension soil fertility colleagues John Sawyer and Antonio Mallarino started a three-year study looking at the effect of removing stover.

“There’s not any research integrating these questions the way Iowa State is doing it,” Al-Kaisi said.

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