Digital platform for evaluating cropping system carbon sequestration through cover crop simulations
A digital platform leveraging high-performance computing and crop simulation modeling to evaluate carbon sequestration patterns from sustained cover crop adoption in US corn belt cropping systems. Enables identification of carbon footprint changes over time and supports geospatial visualization of soil and water quality impacts across Illinois.
Overview
This digital platform evaluates carbon sequestration in cropping systems by simulating large-scale cover crop adoption across the US corn belt. Cover crops are a foundational practice for building regenerative cropping systems that address soil health and environmental challenges. By generating high-resolution data on crop performance under varied soil, weather, and management conditions, the platform identifies patterns of carbon footprint change resulting from sustained cover crop use over time. Outputs support the fine-tuning of geospatial visualization tools, enabling stakeholders to assess cover crop impacts on carbon sequestration at both regional and field scales.
Technical specifications
- Built on the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) crop simulation model, previously validated for nitrogen optimization in corn systems across Illinois
- Deployed on a High-Power Computing (HPC) platform at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Incorporates complex soil, weather, and management interaction data streams to simulate cover crop performance
- Produces model outputs that feed geospatial visualization tools for high spatial and temporal resolution mapping
- Designed to integrate soil and water quality metrics alongside farm profitability considerations
- Future development includes a digital interface for visualization, supported by a dedicated web development team
Technology readiness level
The underlying simulation framework has been validated through a successful nitrogen optimization module deployed across Illinois. The current proposal represents an extension of proven APSIM-based modeling capabilities to incorporate cover crop practices. The project follows a four-step development path: defining soil and weather data sources, establishing initial modeling conditions, specifying HPC computation requirements, and building a digital visualization interface. The platform is at an early-to-mid development stage, with core simulation infrastructure demonstrated and new cover crop and visualization capabilities in planning.
About University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign is a flagship public research university with large‑scale research capacity and a broad academic portfolio. An on‑campus Research Park co‑locates corporate R&D teams and startups with faculty, while the National Center for Supercomputing Applications provides advanced computing and data capabilities for collaboration. Integration with a regional health system and an engineering‑based college of medicine enables clinical translation, and a long‑standing extension network links campus innovation to partners statewide. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from NSF, NIH, DOE, USDA, and DoD. A technology transfer office streamlines IP, licensing, and startups, complemented by incubators and prototyping in the Research Park.
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