Education

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.
 

Courses Taught

• Principles of Soil Management - PLAS/SOIL 269
• Applied Soil Physics - PLAS 472 or AGRO 872
• Plant Nutrition and Nutrient Management - AGRO 824

Dr. Blanco’s teaching program goal is to ensure that students understand the concepts and overarching implications of soil management, applied soil physics, and interactions of soil-water-nutrient-plant relationships. He uniquely emphasizes student’s critical thinking, active learning, and writing skills.

Teaching Publications

• Ruis, S.J., J.A. Guretzky, M. Howell-Smith, H. Blanco-Canqui, D. Redfearn, K. Koehler-Cole, R.W. Elmore1, and K.L. Bash. 2021. Developing research and extension skills of undergraduate students in integrated agronomic systems. NACTA 65.
• Speth, C., Lee, D., Blanco-Canqui, H., and Ruis, S. 2021. Two models to improve undergraduate writing perception and capabilities in plant and soil sciences. Global J. Human-Social Science. 21:1-10.
• Blanco-Canqui, H., S, Ruis, C. Speth, and D. Lee. 2019. Integrating writing into undergraduate soil management course enhances student learning. Nat. Sci. Educ. 48:1900004.
• Blanco-Canqui, H., S, Ruis, C. Speth, and D. Lee. 2018. Teaching undergraduate soil management to diverse majors: linking lectures with field practicals. Nat. Sci. Educ. 47:180017.

Books

• Blanco, H. 2023. Cover Crops and Soil Ecosystem Services. ASA-CSSA-SSSA. John & Wiley Sons, Inc. 256 pages.
• Blanco, H., and R. Lal. 2023. Soil Conservation and Management. Textbook for upper undergrad and grad students. 2nd edition. Springer Nature. 621 pages.
• Blanco, H., K. Sandeep, and S.H. Anderson. 2022. Soil Hydrology in a Changing Climate. CSIRO Publishing. CRC Press. Taylor & Francis Group.
• Blanco, H., and R. Lal. 2008. Principles of Soil Management and Conservation. Textbook for upper undergrad and grad students. Springer. 617 p

Major Research Project Activities

Dr. Blanco’s research and teaching program responds to the needs of Nebraska agriculture and beyond. He emphasizes on the application of scientific principles of soil management and applied soil physics to meet the increasing demands for food, feed, fuel, and fiber while enhancing soil ecosystem services. His professional contributions in major areas include:

CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE

Dr. Blanco is assessing no-till, reduced till, and conventional till impacts on soil physical and hydraulic properties and soil C in different environments. His team is answering the following: Does no-till improve soil ecosystem services in all environments? Does no-till sequester soil C more than tilled systems? How can we enhance the potential of no-till?

Among his >30 journal articles in this topic include:

• Blanco-Canqui, H., R. Hassim, C. Shapiro, P. Jasa, and H. Klopp. 2022. How does no-till affect soil-profile susceptibility to compaction in the long term? Geoderma 425:116016.
• Ruis, S.J., H. Blanco-Canqui, P. Jasa, and V.L. Jin. 2022. No-till farming and greenhouse gas fluxes: insights from literature and experimental data. Soil & Tillage Res. 105359.
• Blanco-Canqui, H. 2021. No-till technology has limited potential to store carbon: How can we enhance such potential? Agric. Ecosystems Environ. 313, 107352.
• Blanco-Canqui, H., and C.W. Wortmann. 2020. Does occasional tillage undo the ecosystem services gained with no-till? A review. Soil & Tillage Res. 198:104534.
• Blanco-Canqui, H. and S.J. Ruis. 2018. No-tillage and soil physical environment. Geoderma 326:164-200.
• Palm, C., H. Blanco-Canqui, F. DeClerck, et al., 2014. Conservation agriculture and ecosystem services: An overview. Agric. Ecosystems Environ. 187:87-105.
• Blanco-Canqui, H. and R. Lal. 2008. No-tillage and carbon sequestration: An on-farm assessment. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 72:693-701.

CROP RESIDUE MANAGEMENT

Crop residues such as from corn are often grazed or baled for expanded uses; but their impacts on soil ecosystem services are still not well understood. Dr. Blanco is addressing: How much residue can we remove from rainfed and irrigated regions? What are the short and long-term effects of crop residue grazing and baling on soil services?

Among his >30 journal articles in this topic include:

• Rakkar, M.K., H. Blanco-Canqui, R. Rasby, M.E. Drewnoski, and R.A. Drijber. 2019. Short-term impacts of cattle grazing and baling of corn residues on soil properties in the Central Great Plains. Agron. J. 111:109-121.
• Rakkar, K.M. and H. Blanco-Canqui. 2018. Grazing of crop residues: Impacts on soils and crop production. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 258: 71-90.
• Liska, A.J., H. Yang, M. Milner, S. Goddard, H. Blanco-Canqui, et al. 2014. Biofuels from crop residue can reduce soil carbon and increase CO2 emissions. Nature Climate Change. 4:398–401.
• Blanco-Canqui, H. and R. Lal. 2009. Crop residue removal effects on soil, productivity and environmental quality. Crit. Rev. Plant Sci. 28:139-163.

COVER CROPS

Dr. Blanco’s team is addressing: Do cover crops deliver all soil ecosystem services in all soils? How does cover crop grazing and harvesting affect soil ecosystem services in the central Great Plains? Can cover crops offset the adverse effects of crop residue removal on soil services? What strategies can we use to increase cover crop biomass yield?

Among his >40 journal articles in this topic include:

• Blanco-Canqui, H. 2022. Cover crops and carbon sequestration: Lessons from US studies. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 86:501-519.
• Anderson, L., H. Blanco-Canqui, M. Drewnoski, and J. MacDonald. 2022. Cover crop grazing impacts on soil properties and crop yields under irrigated no-till corn-soybean. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 86:118-133.
• Blanco-Canqui, H., S.J. Ruis, H.D. Holman, C. Creech, and A. Obour. 2022. Can cover crops improve soil ecosystem services in water-limited environments? A Review. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 86:1-18.
• Blanco-Canqui, H., M. Drewnoski, and D. Rice. 2021. Does harvesting cover crops eliminate the benefits of cover crops? Insights after three years. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 85:146-157.
• Blanco-Canqui, H., and S, Ruis. 2020. Cover crops and soil physical properties. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 1527-1576.
• Blanco-Canqui, H., S, Ruis, C. Proctor, C. Creech, M. Drewnoski, and D. Redfearn. 2020. Harvesting cover crops for biofuel and livestock production: Another ecosystem service? Agron J. 112:2373-2400.
• Ruis, S.J., H. Blanco-Canqui, C.F. Creech, K. Koehler-Cole, R.W. Elmore, and C.A. Francis. 2019. Cover crop biomass production in temperate agroecozones. Agron. J. 111:1535-1551.
• Blanco-Canqui, H. 2018. Cover crops and water quality. Agron. J. 110:1633-1647.
• Blanco-Canqui, H., T. M. Shaver, J.L. Lindquist, et al. 2015. Cover crops and ecosystem services: Insights from studies in temperate soils. Agron. J. 107:2449–2474.

DEDICATED ENERGY CROPS

Growing dedicated bioenergy crops (i.e., switchgrass) in marginal lands can be an alternative to corn residue removal while enhancing soil ecosystem services, but field research is limited. Dr. Blanco is fulfilling this need by assessing biomass production, soil erosion, soil physical processes, C sequestration, and others in perennials grown on marginally-productive lands.

Among his 15 journal articles in this topic include:

• Cruse, R.M., E. Wang, BS. Acharya, D.E Herzmann, B.K Gelder, D.E James, D.C. Flanagan, H. Blanco-Canqui, R.B. Mitchell, and D.A. Laird. 2020. Impact of strategic switchgrass production within row crop systems on runoff and soil loss at regional scales Global Change Biology Bioenergy 12:955-967.
• Acharya, B.S. and H. Blanco-Canqui. 2018. Lignocellulosic-based bioenergy and water quality parameters: A review. Global Change Biology Bioenergy 10:504-533.
• Blanco-Canqui, H., R.B. Mitchell, V.L. Jin, et al. 2017. Perennial warm-season grasses for producing biofuel and enhancing soil properties: An alternative to corn residue removal. Global Change Biology Bioenergy. 9:1510–1521.
• Blanco-Canqui. H. 2010. Energy crops and their implications on soil and environment. Agron. J. 102:403-419.

BIOCHAR AND OTHER ORGANIC AMENDMENTS

Dr. Blanco’s team is studying how addition of C-enriched amendments such as biochar other amendments (i.e., manure) affects crop yields, C storage, and soil properties in degraded or low organic matter semiarid soils.

Among his >15 journal articles in this topic include:

• Blanco-Canqui, H. 2022. Does biochar conserve soil and water.? J. Soil and Water Conserv. J. 77:79A-84A.
• Blanco-Canqui, H. 2021. Does biochar improve all soil ecosystem services? Global Change Biology Bioenergy. 13:291-304.
• Blanco-Canqui, H. 2021. Does biochar application alleviate soil compaction? Review and data synthesis. Geoderma 404:115317.
• Amonette, J.E., H. Blanco-Canqui, C. Hassebrook, D.A. Laird, R. Lal, J. Lehmann, and D. Page-Dumroes. 2021. Integrated biochar research: A roadmap. J. Soil Water Conserv. 76:24A-29A.
• Blanco-Canqui, H., D.A. Laird. E. Heaton, S. Rathke, and B.S. Acharya. 2020. Soil carbon increased twice the amount of biochar carbon applied under bioenergy crops: Potential negative priming effect. Global Change Biology Bioenergy. 12:240-251.
• Blanco-Canqui, H. 2019. Biochar and water quality. J. Environ. Qual. 48:2-15. o Blanco-Canqui, H. 2017. Biochar and soil physical properties. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 81: 687-711.
• Blanco-Canqui, H., C.A. Francis, and T.D. Galusha. 2017. Does organic farming accumulate carbon in deeper soil profiles in the long term? Geoderma 288:213–221.

Service to Professional Organizations

• Technical Editor, Agronomy Journal, 2020-present.
• Associate Editor. Agronomy Journal. Soil and Water Management section, 2020-present.
• Associate Editor for Bioenergy Research, 2017-2021.
• Associate Editor for Soil Science Society of America Journal, Division of Soil and Water Management and Conservation, 2007 - 2012.
• Associate Editor for Agronomy Journal, Division Soils, 2010 - 2012.
• Best Paper Award Committee for Soil Science Society of America Journal, Division of Soil and Water Management and Conservation, 2012-2016.
• Graduate Student Award Committee for Soil Science Society of America, Division of Soil and Water Management and Conservation, 2012-present.

Honors

• Fellow of American Society of Agronomy. 2023.
• S.H. Phillips No-till Award. University of Kentucky. 2022.
• Fellow of Soil Science Society of America. 2020.
• Chair of Soil and Water Management and Conservation Div. Soil Science Society of America. 2017.
• Best Paper Award. Soil and Water Management and Conservation Division. Soil Science Society of America. 2016.
• Best Paper Award. Soil Science Society of America, Division of Soil and Water Management and Conservation. 2o12.
• Young Scholar Award from the Soil Science Society of America. Division of Soil and Water Management and Conservation. 2008.
• The Charles Edmund Marshall Scholarship Award. Univ. of Missouri, Columbia. 2003.
• The Intercultural Program Scholarship. Rotary International, MN. 2000.
• Fulbright Scholarship, Cambridge, MA. 1993-1995

Publications

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