Research Questions
- What is the problem?
- If nothing is done, how might soybean production be impacted?
- How will SoyFACE help?
What is the problem?
The surface atmosphere in Illinois is changing; from 1960- 2050, expected increases
are:
- Carbon dioxide 70%
- Ozone 100% (summer)
Source: Dave Keeling and Tim Whorf (Scripps Institution of Oceanography)
Ozone Concentrations for MidWest in Aug. 2005
(click image to animate) Source: US EPA AirNow
Ozone Damage to Midwest Crops
Source: NC State Air Quality Program
- US Crop losses to ozone were >$2.5bn in 1999 (EPA/ USDA).Rural ozone levels in Illinois are higher than in competing growing areas.Soybean is one of the most sensitive crops to ozone.
- Ozone levels in central Illinois exceeded thresholds for soybean crop loss in 28 of 31 days of August, 1999.
- Decreased quality (protein). Decreased yield. Increased water pollution.
- Fail to respond to fertilization by carbon dioxide.
- Discover actual changes at the field level.Integrate scientific disciplines and leverage external expertise.
- Select genotypes and practices to overcome ozone and gain from increasing carbon dioxide.
