A new soil monitoring laboratory at the Elora Research Farm is being described as the first of its kind in North America.
It will use highly sophisticated monitoring equipment to compare two cropping systems on two different soil types.
The soil types are Elora Silt Loam and Fox Sand.
The cropping systems include the conventional corn, soy rotation commonly used in southern Ontario.
The other is what's called PER - or Perennially Enhanced Rotation.
That's where winter wheat is included in the corn, soy rotation along with cover crops and intercrops to provide green vegetation throughout as much of the year as possible.
The scientist heading up the research is Doctor Claudia Wagner-Riddle.
She says PER is believed to improve soil quality, reduce the escapes of nutrients and greenhouse gases and add to the soil's overall ability to resist droughts.
Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association President Gord Green suggests the data from this research will verify best management practices that would protect water quality and reduce greenhouse gases.
A new Soil Health Centre is going to be established on the Elora site and tours will be made available to the farming community to see the research and share its results.
