Why Kernza^®?
Resources
- Resources for:
- GrowersWhether you are a Kernza® grower, or are interested in becoming one, you will find what you need to participate in the perennial revolution here.
- HandlersThe definitive source for everything between the farm and the plate including transportation, storage, cleaning, milling and more.
- MakersFor everyone turning Kernza® into tasty foods and beverages via consumer packaged goods or restaurant menus.
- ConsumersAre you a curious eater interested in joining the perennial revolution? Find a tasty Kernza® product near you.
- ResearchersA global research collective is improving seed and investigating the ecological and social impacts of Kernza® grain.
- FundersKernza® grain is a new crop in development: learn how it is funded, and how you can make a difference.
- Perennial Percent^™The Perennial Percent™ program allows innovative food and beverage makers to showcase their products by labeling them as made with perennial grain ingredients, like sweet and nutty Kernza.
Network
- The Kernza^® NetworkKernza® development is made possible by a network of brilliant and passionate people and organizations.
  - View the Directory
- About Us
Field Notes
Education
Donate

Why Kernza^®?
Resources
- Resources for:
- GrowersWhether you are a Kernza® grower, or are interested in becoming one, you will find what you need to participate in the perennial revolution here.
- HandlersThe definitive source for everything between the farm and the plate including transportation, storage, cleaning, milling and more.
- MakersFor everyone turning Kernza® into tasty foods and beverages via consumer packaged goods or restaurant menus.
- ConsumersAre you a curious eater interested in joining the perennial revolution? Find a tasty Kernza® product near you.
- ResearchersA global research collective is improving seed and investigating the ecological and social impacts of Kernza® grain.
- FundersKernza® grain is a new crop in development: learn how it is funded, and how you can make a difference.
- Perennial Percent^™The Perennial Percent™ program allows innovative food and beverage makers to showcase their products by labeling them as made with perennial grain ingredients, like sweet and nutty Kernza.
Network
- The Kernza^® NetworkKernza® development is made possible by a network of brilliant and passionate people and organizations.
  - View the Directory
- About Us
Field Notes
Education
Donate

Field Notes

Kernza® Perennial Grain Protects Water Quality in Minnesota

Ecosystems Services

03.30.2022

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Field-scale trials with Kernza perennial grain provided important data establishing its capacity to limit nitrate leaching below the rooting zone, protecting water quality in Minnesota. Nitrate leaching from fertilizer applied to row crops poses a serious risk to rural communities in Minnesota, especially the Southern and Western parts of the state. Soil water under corn and soy crops can reach nitrate concentrations of 28 parts per million (ppm). That water can move downward and allow nitrate to reach drinking water sources, which are undrinkable at concentrations over 10 ppm.

Communities, including the City of Chatfield and Lincoln and Pipestone Counties, were looking for ways to avoid the health risks and water treatment costs from contamination without taking farmland out of production.

Results from that study show that average nitrate levels in soil water samples collected by lysimeters below the Kernza crop rooting zone ranged from 0 to 0.25 ppm in Chatfield and 0 to 0.14 in Pipestone. There was not a single individual reading over 0.5 ppm. For reference, the EPA’s Maximum Contaminant Level for nitrate is 10 ppm.

Learn more about Kernza’s co-benefits to water quality:

Kernza Water Quality Field Trial Results from Minnesota 2022

Project to Protect Drinking Water with Kernza Perennial Grain in Minnesota 2021