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University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Agronomy and Horticulture

The Science and Application of Plants to Sustain and Enhance Human Life

Gary E. Varvel

Associate Professor (Adjunct)
Soil Scientist

Contact Information
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DEGREES:

  • B.A., Chemistry and Mathematics, Chadron State College, 1971
  • PhD., Soil Fertility and Chemistry, University of Nebraska, 1977

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

Soil and crop management, cropping systems, soil fertility, and residue management

MAJOR PROJECT ACTIVITIES:

Project activities include investigations into the effects of cropping system and N fertilizer combinations on fertilizer use efficiency, crop yields, precipitation use efficiency, residual N levels, and carbon storage (sequestration) in dryland and irrigated production systems. Additional research activities include the comparison of no-till corn and switchgrass cropping systems on marginal soils to determine their potential for biofuel production and their effects on soil C sequestration.

 

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:

  • Varvel, G.E., Wilhelm, W.W., Shanahan, J.F., and Schepers, J.S. An Algorithm for Corn Nitrogen Recommendations Using a Chlorophyll Meter Based Sufficiency Index. Agron. J. 99:701-706. 2007.

  • Varvel, G.E. Soil Organic Carbon Changes in Diversified Rotations of the Western Corn Belt. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 70:426-433. 2006.

  • Wienhold, B.J., Pikul, J.L., Jr., Liebig, M.A., Vigil, M.F., Varvel, G.E., and Doran, J.W. Cropping System Effects on Soil Quality in the Great Plains: Summary from a Regional Project. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems. 21(1):49-59. 2006.

  • Varvel, G.E., Riedell, W.E., Deibert, E., McConkey, B., Tanaka, D.L., Vigil, M.F., and Schwartz, RC. Great Plains Cropping System Studies for Soil Quality Assessment. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems. 21(1):3-14. 2006.

  • Varvel, G.E., and Wilhelm, W.W. Soybean nitrogen contribution to corn and sorghum in two-year cropping systems in the Western Corn Belt. Agron. J. 95:1220-1225. 2003.

  • Liebig, M.A., and Varvel, G.E. Effects of Western Corn Belt cropping systems on agroecosystem functions. Agron. J. 95:316-322. 2003.

  • Liebig, M.A., Varvel, G.E., Doran, J.W. and Wienhold, B.J. 2002. Crop sequence and N fertilization effects on soil properties in the Western Corn Belt. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 66: 596-601.

  • Helmers, G.A., Yamoah, C.F., and Varvel, G.E. 2001. Separating the impacts on risk of crop diversification and rotations. Agron. J. 93:1337-1340.

  • Liebig, M.A., Varvel, G.E., and Doran, J.W. 2001. A simple performance-based index for assessing multiple agroecosystem functions. Agron. J. 93:313-318.

  • Varvel, G.E. 2000. Crop rotation and nitrogen effects on normalized grain yields in a long-term study. Agron. J. 92:938-941.

  • Yamoah, C. F., Varvel, G. E., Waltman, W. J., and Francis, C. A. 1998. Long-term nitrogen use and nitrogen-removal index in continuous crops and rotations. Field Crops Research. 57:15-27.

  • Varvel, G. E., Schepers, J. S., and Francis, D. D. 1997. Ability for in-season correction of nitrogen deficiency using chlorophyll meters. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. J. 59:1233-1239.

  • Varvel, G. E., Schepers, J. S., and Francis, D. D. 1997. Chlorophyll meter readings and stalk nitrate as complementary nitrogen indices for residual nitrogen. J. Prod.Agric. 10:147-151.