Protecting groundwater quality is essential to improving the sustainability of corn production. This initiative pioneers a proactive approach to protecting groundwater by preventing excess nutrients from reaching the water table. The project focuses on the addition of environmentally safe chemical agents into the vadose zone, the shallow layer of soil between topsoil and the water-saturated earth zones below, to intercept nitrates working their way down from fertilizer applications on plants above ground. The goal is to reduce nitrate leaching into groundwater before contamination occurs. This approach replaces expensive options like treatment of contaminated groundwater sources. Benefits include reduced environmental risk, lower remediation costs and improved long-term sustainability for Nebraska producers.