Humberto Blanco  Assistant Professor

Humberto Blanco portrait

Contact Information
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Area of Focus

Soil Management

Degrees

  • B.S. Agricultural Engineering, Technical University of Oruro, Bolivia, 1990. Major area: Soil Science.
  • M.S. Soil Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 1995. Major area: Applied Soil Physics and Soil and Water Conservation.
  • Ph.D. Soil Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 2003. Major area: Applied Soil Physics and Soil and Water Conservation.

Teaching Interests

  • Soil and Water Management
  • Applied Soil Physics
  • Soil-Water-Plant Relationships
  • Climate Change and Soils
  • Bioenergy Crops and Environmental Quality

Research Interests

  • Applied Soil Physics
  • Soil Physical, Chemical, and Biological Processes and Properties
  • Water and Wind Erosion
  • Soil Carbon Sequestration and Dynamics
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  • Soil-Water-Plant Relationships
  • Soil Productivity

Research includes studies of cropping systems, conservation tillage, crop residue management, cover crops, and others in relation to soil management effects on soil processes and properties relative to soil productivity, water quality, water use efficiency, and carbon cycling with a perspective of increased climate variability.

Service to Professional Organizations

  • Associate Editor for Soil Science Society of America Journal. Division S-6 (2006 - Present).
  • Associate Editor for Agronomy Journal. Division Soils (2010 - Present).
  • Member of Best Paper Award Committee for Soil Science Society of America Journal, Division S-6.
  • Member of S-6 Graduate Student Award Committee for Soil Science Society of America, Division S-6.

Honors

  • Best Paper Award. 2012. Soil Science Society of America, Division S-6.
  • Young Scholar Award from the Soil Science Society of America. Division S-6.
  • The Charles Edmund Marshall Scholarship Award. Univ. of Missouri, Columbia.
  • The Intercultural Program Scholarship. Rotary International, MN.
  • Fulbright Scholarship, Cambridge, MA.

Publications

Articles

  1. Kaufman, R., J. Wilson, S. Bean, D. Presley, H. Blanco-Canqui, and M. Mikha. 2013. The effect of nitrogen fertilization and cover cropping systems on sorghum grain characteristics. J. Agr. Food Chem. (in press).
     
  2. Evers, B.J., H. Blanco-Canqui, S. A. Staggenborg, and J. Tatarko. 2013. Dedicated bioenergy crop impacts on soil wind erodibility and organic carbon in Kansas. Agron. J. (in press).
     
  3. Guedes Filho, O., Blanco-Canqui, H., and A.P. da Silva. 2013. Least limiting water range of the soil seedbed for long-term tillage and cropping systems in the central Great Plains, USA. Geoderma 207-208:99-110.
     
  4. Blanco-Canqui, H., J.D. Holman, A.J. Schlegel, J. Tatarko, and T. Shaver. 2013. Replacing fallow with cover crops in a semiarid soil: Effects on soil properties. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 77:1026-1034.
     
  5. Blanco-Canqui, H., A.J. Schlegel. 2013. Implications of inorganic fertilization of irrigated corn on soil properties: Lessons learned after 50 years. J. Environ. Qual. 42:861–871.
     
  6. Blanco-Canqui, H. 2013. Crop residue removal for bioenergy reduces soil carbon pools: How can we offset carbon losses? Bioenerg. Res. 6:358-371.
     
  7. Blanco-Canqui, H., M.M. Claassen, and D.R. Presley. 2012. Summer cover crops fix nitrogen, increase crop yield and improve soil-crop relationships. Agron. J. 104:137-147.
     
  8. Blanco-Canqui, H., A.J. Schlegel, and W.F. Heer. 2011. Soil-profile distribution of carbon and associated properties in no-till along a precipitation gradient in the central Great Plains Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 144:107-116.
     
  9. Blanco-Canqui, H., M.M. Mikha, D.R. Presley, and M.M. Claassen. 2011. Addition of cover crops enhances no-till potential for improving soil physical properties. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 75:1471-1482.
     
  10. Blanco-Canqui, H. 2011. Does no-till farming induce water repellency to soils? Soil Use Manage. 27:2-9. 
     
  11. Blanco-Canqui, H., M.M. Claassen, and L.R. Stone. 2010. Controlled traffic impacts on physical and hydraulic properties in an intensively cropped no-till soil. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 74:2142-2150. 
     
  12. Blanco-Canqui, H. J.G. Benjamin, A. J. Schlegel, L.R. Stone, and P.W. Stahlman. 2010. Continuous cropping systems reduce near-surface compaction in no-till soils. Agron. J. 102:1217-1225.
     
  13. Blanco-Canqui, H., N.L. Klocke, A.J. Schlegel, L.R. Stone, and C.W. Rice. 2010. Impacts of deficit irrigation on carbon sequestration and soil physical properties in no-till. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 74:1301-1309.
     
  14. Blanco-Canqui. H. 2010. Energy crops and their implications on soil and environment. Agron. J. 102:403-419.
     
  15. Blanco-Canqui, H., L.R. Stone, and P.W. Stahlman. 2010. Soil response to long-term cropping systems on an Argiustoll in the central Great Plains. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 74: 602-611.
     
  16. Blanco-Canqui, H., R. Stephenson, N.O. Nelson, and D.R. Presley. 2009. Impacts of crop residue removal as biofuel feedstocks on runoff, sediment, and nutrient losses. J. Environ. Qual. 38:2365-2372.
     
  17. Blanco-Canqui, H., L.R. Stone, A.J. Schlegel, D.J. Lyon, M.F. Vigil, M. Mikha, and P.W. Stahlman. 2009. No-till induced increase in organic carbon reduces maximum bulk density of soils. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 73:1871-1879.
     
  18. Blanco-Canqui, H., M.M. Mikha, J.G. Benjamin, L.R. Stone, A.J. Schlegel, D.J. Lyon, M.F. Vigil, and P.W. Stahlman. 2009. Regional study of no-till impacts on near-surface aggregate properties that influence soil erodibility. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 73:1361-1368.
     
  19. Blanco-Canqui, H. and R. Lal. 2009. Crop residue removal effects on soil, productivity and environmental quality. Crit. Rev. Plant Sci. 28:139-163.
     
  20. Blanco-Canqui, H. and R. Lal. 2009. Corn stover removal for expanded uses reduces soil fertility and structural stability. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 73:418-426.
     
  21. Blanco-Canqui, H. and R. Lal. 2009. Extent of subcritical water repellency of soils under long-term no-tillage systems on a regional scale. Geoderma 149:171-180.
     
  22. Blanco-Canqui, H. and R. Lal. 2008. Axle-load impacts on hydraulic properties and corn yield in no-till clay and silt loam. Agron. J. 100:1673-1680.
     
  23. Blanco-Canqui, H. and R. Lal. 2008. Stover removal impacts on micro-scale soil physical properties. Geoderma 145:335-346.
     
  24. Blanco-Canqui, H. and R. Lal. 2008. No-tillage and carbon sequestration: An on-farm assessment. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 72:693-701.
     
  25. Blanco-Canqui, H. and R. Lal. 2007. Regional assessment of soil compaction and structural properties under no-till farming. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 71:1770-1778.
     
  26. Blanco-Canqui, H. and R. Lal. 2007. Soil and crop response harvesting corn residues for biofuel production. Geoderma 141:355–362.
     
  27. Blanco-Canqui, H., and R. Lal. 2007. Soil structure and organic carbon relationships following 10 years of wheat residue management. Soil Tillage Res. 95:240–254.
     
  28. Blanco-Canqui, H. and R. Lal. 2007. Changes in soil hydraulic properties due to long-term wheat straw management. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 71:1166-1173.
     
  29. Blanco-Canqui, H., R. Lal, F. Sartori, and R.O. Miller. 2007. Changes in soil aggregate properties and organic carbon following conversion of agricultural lands to fiber farming. Soil Sci. 172:553-564.
     
  30. Blanco-Canqui, H., R. Lal, W. M. Post, and L. B. Owens. 2007. Aggregate detachment and wettability and their relationships with organic carbon under long-term land use and management practices. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 71:759-765.
     
  31. Blanco-Canqui, H., R. Lal, L.B. Owens, W.M. Post, and M.J. Shipitalo. 2007. Soil hydraulic properties influenced by corn stover removal from no-till corn in Ohio. Soil Tillage Res. 92: 144-155.
     
  32. Blanco-Canqui, H., R. Lal, W. M. Post, and L. B. Owens. 2006. Corn growth, and grain and biomass yield shortly after stover removal from no-till in Ohio. Agron. J. 98:1128-1136.
     
  33. Blanco-Canqui, H., R. Lal, R.C. Izaurralde, W.M. Post, and M.J. Shipitalo. 2006. Organic carbon influences on particle density and rheological properties for a silt loam soil. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 70:1407-1414.
     
  34. Blanco-Canqui, H., R. Lal, W. M. Post, R.C. Izaurralde, and L. B. Owens. 2006. Soil structural parameters and organic carbon in no-till corn with variable stover retention rates. Soil Sci. 171:468-482.
     
  35. Blanco-Canqui, H., R. Lal, L.B. Owens, W.M. Post, and R.C. Izaurralde. 2006. Corn stover impacts on near-surface soil properties of no-till corn in Ohio. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 70:266-278.
     
  36. Blanco-Canqui, H., Clark J. Gantzer, and S.H. Anderson. 2006. Performance of grass barriers and filter strips under interrill and concentrated flow. J. Environ. Qual. 35: 1969-1974.
     
  37. Blanco-Canqui, H., R. Lal, and R. Lemus. 2005. Soil aggregate properties and organic carbon for switchgrass and agricultural systems in the southeastern USA. Soil Sci. 170:998-1012.
     
  38. Blanco-Canqui, H., and R. Lal. 2005. Mechanical properties and soil organic carbon of soil aggregates in the northern Appalachians. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 69: 1472-1481.
     
  39. Blanco-Canqui, H., R. Lal, 2005. Strength properties and organic carbon of soils in the North Appalachian Region. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 69: 663-673.
     
  40. Blanco-Canqui, H. and R. Lal. 2004. Mechanisms of carbon sequestration in soil aggregates. Crit. Rev. Plant Sci. 23:481-504.
     
  41. Blanco-Canqui, H., C.J. Gantzer, S.H. Anderson, and E.E. Alberts. 2004. Grass barriers for reduced concentrated flow induced soil and nutrient loss. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 68:1963-1972.
     
  42. Blanco-Canqui, H., C.J. Gantzer, S.H. Anderson, and A.L. Thompson. 2004. Soil berms as an alternative to steel plate borders for runoff plots. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 68:1689-1694.
     
  43. Blanco-Canqui, H., C.J. Gantzer, S.H. Anderson, E.E. Alberts, and A.L. Thompson. 2004. Grass barriers and vegetative filters strip effectiveness in reducing runoff, sediment, and nutrient loss. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 68:1670-1678.
     
  44. Blanco-Canqui, H., C.J. Gantzer, S.H. Anderson, and E.E. Alberts. 2004. Tillage and crop influences on soil properties for an Epiaqualf. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 68:567-576.
     
  45. Blanco-Canqui, H., C.J. Gantzer, S.H. Anderson, E.E. Alberts, and F. Ghidey. 2002. Saturated hydraulic conductivity and its impact on simulated runoff for claypan soils. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 6:1596-1602.

Book

  1. Blanco, H., and Lal. R. 2008. Principles of Soil Management and Conservation. Springer. 617 pages (textbook for upper undergraduate and graduate students).

Chapters

  1. Blanco-Canqui, H. and J.G. Benjamin. 2013. Impacts of soil organic carbon on soil physical behavior. Advances in Agricultural Systems Modeling. Soil Science Society of America, Inc. 3:11-40.
     
  2. Unger, P.W. and H. Blanco-Canqui. 2012. Conservation tillage. In Handbook of Soil Science, Levy et al. (Eds). 2nd Edition. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL
     
  3. Blanco-Canqui, H. 2012. Soil Conservation. In Ecosystem Management and Sustainability. Berkshire Encyclopedia of Sustainability 5/10.
     
  4. Blanco-Canqui, H., and R. Lal. 2008. Crop residue management and soil carbon dynamics. In: Follet R.F. and Lal, R. (Eds) Soil Carbon Sequestration and the Greenhouse Effect. SSSA Special Pub.
     
  5. Blanco-Canqui, H. and R. Lal. 2004. Tensile strength of soil aggregates. In R. Lal (Ed.). Encyclopedia of Soil Science. Marcel Dekker, New York.

Book Review

  1. Blanco-Canqui, H. 2012. Sustaining soil productivity in response to global climate change: Science, Policy, and Ethics. Vadose Zone J. 11: doi:10.2136/vzj2012.0028br

Abstracts

  1. He, Y., Blanco Canqui, H., On-farm assessment of crop residue removal impacts on soil wind erodibility parameters in the central Great Plains. In 2012 ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Abstracts. Annual Meetings, Cincinnati, OH.
  2. Blanco Canqui, H., Holman, J., Soil and environmental benefits of cover crops in the semiarid central Great Plains In 2012 ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Abstracts. Annual Meetings, Cincinnati, OH.
  3. Evers, B., H. Blanco, S. Staggenborg, G. Kluitenberg, K. Harmoney, and D. Presley. Water use and conservation under bioenergy crops in the central Great Plains. In 2011 ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Abstracts. Annual Meetings, San Antonio, TX.
     
  4. Evers, B., H. Blanco, J. Tatarko, S. Staggenborg, K. Harmoney, G. Kluitenberg, and D. Presley. Dedicated energy crops effects on soil erodibility by wind and water in Kansas. In 2011 ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Abstracts. Annual Meetings, San Antonio, TX.
     
  5. Frees, L., H. Blanco, K. Roozeboom, J. Holman, D. Presley, and G. Cramer. Cover crop activities in Kansas. In 2011 ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Abstracts. Annual Meetings, San Antonio, TX.
     
  6. Kenney, I., Blanco, H., D.R. Presley, C.W. Rice, N. Nelson, B. Olson, and K. Janssen. Short-term effects of corn stover removal for bioenergy production on soil properties: A regional assessment. In 2011 ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Abstracts. Annual Meetings, San Antonio, TX.
     
  7. Blanco, H. and M.M. Claassen. Cover crop impacts on soil quality and carbon sequestration in the central Great Plains. 66th International Annual Conference. Soil and Water Conservation Society. Washington DC, July 17-21, 2011.
     
  8. Blanco, H., A.J. Schlegel, and W.F. Heer. 2010. Soil-profile carbon distribution and its influence on structural properties in no-till in the central Great Plains. In 2010 ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Abstracts. Annual Meetings, Long Beach, CA.
     
  9. Blanco, H. 2010. What are the impacts of bioenergy crops on soil and environmental quality? Symposium "Biomass Energy & Soil Quality" In 2010 ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Abstracts. Annual Meeting in Long Beach, CA.
     
  10. Kenney, I., H. Blanco, D.R. Presley, C.W. Rice, N.O. Nelson, B. Olson, and K. Janssen. Water quality effects of crop residue removal for cellulosic ethanol production. 19th World Congress of Soil Science. Brisbane, Australia, 1-6 August, 2010.
     
  11. Kenney, I., H. Blanco, D.R. Presley, C.W. Rice, N.O. Nelson, B. Olson, and K. Janssen. Short-term effects of corn stover removal for cellulosic ethanol production on soil properties: A regional assessment. In 2010 ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Abstracts. Annual Meetings, Long Beach, CA (Oct. 31 - Nov. 3, 2010).
     
  12. Kenney, I., H. Blanco, D.R. Presley, C.W. Rice, N.O. Nelson, B. Olson, and K. Janssen. Runoff and losses of sediment and sediment-associated C and nutrients in runoff due to residue removal for cellulosic ethanol production. In 2010 ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Abstracts. Annual Meetings, Long Beach, CA (Oct. 31 - Nov. 3, 2010).
     
  13. M. Davis, N.O. Nelson, H. Blanco, D. Mengel, and J. DeRouchey. Optical sensing for determination of side-dress nitrogen on manure-amended soils. Great Plains Soil Fertility Conference March 2-3, 2010, Denver, CO.
     
  14. Blanco, H., N.L. Klocke, A.J. Schlegel, and L.R. Stone. 2009. Carbon sequestration in no-till soils managed under different levels of sprinkler irrigation in the Central Great Plains. In 2009 ASA-SSSA-CSA Abstracts, Annual Meetings, Pittsburgh, PA.
     
  15. Blanco, H., R.J. Stephenson, and N.O. Nelson. 2009. Excessive biomass removal from energy crops increases loss of sediment and nutrients in runoff. In 2009 ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Abstracts. Annual Meetings, Pittsburgh, PA.
     
  16. Blanco, H. 2009. Relationships between organic carbon and soil physical properties in no-till systems in the central Great Plains. 64th International Annual Conference. Soil and Water Conservation Society. Dearborn, MI, July 11-15, 2009.
     
  17. Blanco, H. 2009. What do we really know about soil compactibility, carbon sequestration, and soil-water relationships in no-till systems? Keynote Speaker. No-till Conference, Dnepropetrovsky, Ukraine. June 18-26, 2009.
     
  18. Blanco, H. 2009. Crop residue removal for expanded uses increases sediment and nutrient loss in runoff. 26th Annual of Water and the Future of Kansas Conference. Topeka, KS. March 26, 2009.
     
  19. Blanco, H. 2008. Changes in soil hydraulic properties under long-term tillage and cropping systems in the central Great Plains. In 2010 ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Abstracts. Joint Annual GSA-SSSA-ASA-CSSA Meetings. Houston, TX. 5-9 Oct, 2008.
     
  20. Blanco, H. 2008. Impacts of crop residue removal as biofuel feedstocks on soil and crop production. Sustainability of Bioenergy Symposium. September 16, 2008. Kansas State University Alumni Center, Manhattan, KS.
     
  21. Blanco, H., R. Lal. 2007. Impacts of harvesting corn stover for biofuel feedstocks on soil and agronomic productivity. In 2007 ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Abstracts. Annual Meetings, New Orleans.
     
  22. Blanco, H., R. Lal, R.C. Izaurralde, W.M. Post, and L. B. Owens. 2005. Soil organic carbon and carbon dioxide fluxes affected by stover removal from no-till corn. In 2005 ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Abstracts. Annual Meetings, Salt Lake City, UT.
     
  23. Blanco, H., R. Lal, R.C. Izaurralde, W.M. Post, and M.J. Shipitalo. 2005. Soil hydraulic properties influenced by corn stover removal from no-till corn in Ohio. In 2005 ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Abstracts. Annual Meetings, Salt Lake City, UT.
     
  24. Blanco, H., R. Lal, L.B. Owens, W.M. Post, and R.C. Izaurralde. 2004. Aggregate mechanical properties and soil organic carbon in the North Appalachian region. In 2004 ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Abstracts. Annual Meetings, Seattle, WA.
     
  25. Blanco, H., C.J. Gantzer, S.H. Anderson, and E.E. Alberts. 2003. Grass barriers and vegetative filters strips for reducing concentrated flow erosion. In 2003 ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Abstracts. Annual Meetings, Denver, CO.
     
  26. Blanco, H., C.J. Gantzer, S.H. Anderson, E.E. Alberts, and A.L. Thompson. 2002. Grass barriers and vegetative filters strips for soil and water conservation. In 2002 ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Abstracts. Annual Meetings, Indianapolis, IN.

Proceedings

  1. Blanco-Canqui, H. 2012. Implications of crop residue removal on soil organic pool and greenhouse gas emissions. “Growing the Bioeconomy” Conference, Banff, Canada, Oct 2-5, 2012.

  2. Blanco-Canqui, H. 2012. Soil management for sustainable production. XIX Latin American Congress and XXIII Argentine Congress of Soil Science, Mar del Plata, Argentina. 16-20 April 2012.

  3. Blanco-Canqui, H. 2012. Excessive crop residue removal can increase soil erosion and degrade soil quality: Implications for sustainability. XIX Latin American Congress and XXIII Argentine Congress of Soil Science, Mar del Plata, Argentina. 16-20 April 2012.

  4. Guedes Filho, O., Blanco-Canqui, H., Silva, A.P. 2012. Least limiting water range for long-term cropping systems in the central Great Plains. XIX Latin American Congress and XXIII Argentine Congress of Soil Science, Mar del Plata, Argentina, 16-20 April 2012.

  5. Kenney, I. Blanco-Canqui, H. Presley, D., Rice C., N. Nelson, B. Olson and K. Janssen. 2010 Water quality effects of crop residue removal for cellulosic ethanol production 19th World Congress of Soil Science. Soil Solutions for a Changing World 1-6 August 2010, Brisbane, Australia.

  6. Blanco-Canqui, H. 2010. What do we know about the impacts of no-till farming on soil quality? Proceedings of 7th annual Cover Your Acres Winter Conference. Oberlin, KS.