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Research Update: Evaluation of Biochar

Note: This is part of a Research Update series that highlights projects funded by the Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) annual grant program. Project Title: Evaluation of Biochar for On-Farm Soil Management in California Project Leaders: Danielle Gelardi, Sanjai J. Parikh, William R. Horwath, Daniel Geissler, Toby O’Geen, Kate M. Scow (UC Davis), Milt McGiffen (UC Riverside), Michelle Leinfelder-Miles (UC …


Updated Fertigation Book

In California agriculture, there has been a gradual shift from gravity-fed irrigation to pressurized systems including micro-irrigation. Micro-irrigation systems have been implemented in over 60% of irrigated acreage in California and support a more intensively managed production system. The use of pressurized irrigation systems has made significant advancements possible, including more precise delivery of chemicals and nutrients to crops. Chemigation …


Developing Nutrient Budget in Citrus Groves

Research Update: Developing Nutrient Budget and Early Spring Nutrient Prediction Model for Nutrient Management in Citrus Project leaders: Patrick Brown and Douglas Amaral Project location: Fresno, Tulare and Ventura Counties Year of study: 2 of 3 Overview: Leaf analysis with critical value* interpretation is a common practice for determining nutrient applications in citrus. However, this practice can lead to over-application …


Research Update: Examining the Capabilities of Biochar to Adsorb Ammonium

Project Title: Soil Biochar Amendment to Improve Nitrogen and Water Management Project Leader: Suduan Gao, Research Soil Scientist, USDA-ARS Project Location: San Joaquin Valley Year of Study: Two of three Overview: The goal of this study is to determine the overall benefits and best practices associated with the use of biochar, as a soil amendment, in vegetable crop production systems. …


Demonstrating New Approaches to Almond Nitrogen Management

Project Title: Demonstration of a combined new leaf sampling technique for nitrogen analysis and nitrogen applications approach in almonds Project Leaders: Patrick Brown, University of California, Davis; Blake Sanden, University of California Cooperative Extension, Kern County; Allan Fulton, University of California Cooperative Extension, Tehama County; David Doll, University of California Cooperative Extension, Merced County. Project Status: Year 3 of 3 …


Research Update: Controlled Release Nitrogen Fertilizers

Project Title: Field Evaluation and Demonstration of Controlled Release Nitrogen Fertilizers in the Western United States Project Leaders: Charles Sanchez, University of Arizona, and Richard Smith, University of California Cooperative Extension Monterey County Project Status: Complete Overview: Controlled Release Nitrogen (CRN) has the potential to increase nitrogen use efficiency in desert vegetable production systems, by better matching nitrogen release with …