{"id":608,"date":"2018-05-01T08:53:42","date_gmt":"2018-05-01T15:53:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/?p=608"},"modified":"2019-03-13T14:04:46","modified_gmt":"2019-03-13T21:04:46","slug":"research-update-improving-nitrate-and-salinity-management-in-almonds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/research-update-improving-nitrate-and-salinity-management-in-almonds\/","title":{"rendered":"Research Update: Improving Nitrate and Salinity Management in Almonds"},"content":{"rendered":"

Project Title: <\/strong>\u201cImproving nitrate and salinity management strategies for almonds grown under micro-irrigation\u201d
\nProject Leaders: <\/strong>Patrick Brown (Professor) and Daniela Reineke (PhD student), Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis
\nLocation: <\/strong>Statewide<\/p>\n

Overview:<\/strong> The primary goal of this project is to develop best management practices that allow California almond growers with micro-irrigation, to effectively leach salts while minimizing nitrate losses below the root zone.<\/p>\n

Issue: <\/strong>Almonds have a relatively low tolerance to soil salinity, and over time salt buildup in the rootzone can lead to lower orchard production. Soil salinity increases can be attributed to a combination of low rainfall, high evapotranspiration and increasing salt concentration in irrigation water. Also, switching from flood to micro-irrigation systems can lead to an increase in salt concentration in the root zone.\"\"<\/p>\n

Salt accumulation is typically managed by increasing irrigation volume to leach salts beyond the root zone. However, this practice also increases the risk of nitrate leaching to groundwater. This project will help to determine management strategies that address salt accumulation while simultaneously limiting nitrate leaching.<\/p>\n

Additionally, to accommodate the growing change in irrigation practices from surface to pressurized systems, this study also re-evaluates root growth, nutrient movement and crop response to saline conditions under micro-irrigation systems.<\/p>\n

Greenhouse Experiment:<\/strong> Almond saplings were grown under heterogeneous conditions to measure nitrate and water uptake. The saplings\u2019 roots were physically split, allowing for different treatments to be applied to each half of the root mass. Plants were grown in both soil culture and nutrient solution. Treatments were as follows:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Preliminary Results:<\/strong> The graphs\u00a0below show water consumption from each side of the divided root mass. Results suggest that almond roots can nearly shut-down water consumption from the saline root half, when a non-saline zone is present. However, when the tree has no other option, it will obtain nutrients from the saline solution. Data also suggest that the presence of nutrients increases water uptake.<\/p>\n

Nitrate uptake followed a similar pattern to water uptake. Nitrate uptake was significantly higher on nutrient only sides when compared to nutrient + salt solutions. In the salt only treatment, there was no nitrate uptake, suggesting that, in the presence of saline conditions, nutrient uptake is limited.<\/p>\n

Data from the greenhouse experiments will be used to calibrate a HYDRUS soil and water model.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

What\u2019s next?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Field Design: <\/strong>To simulate real field conditions, almond trees were established in tomato bins measuring 28 x 8 x 5 ft. Two trees, one with Nemaguard rootstock and another with Viking rootstock, were planted per bin at a spacing of 14 feet and the bins were filled with two soil compositions typical to California almond growing regions. Eight treatments consisting of two irrigation frequencies, two soil types and two rootstocks will test the trees\u2019 response to moderately saline conditions (EC 1.5dS).<\/p>\n

Nitrate uptake\/depletion, water use and salinity will be monitored using a variety of probes as shown in the figure below.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Impact: <\/strong>This project has the potential to provide growers with the tools that they need to improve nitrate and salinity management in California almonds, especially where irrigation water is relatively saline, water supply is limited, and\/or during drought years where rainfall was not adequate for salt leaching.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Project Title: \u201cImproving nitrate and salinity management strategies for almonds grown under micro-irrigation\u201d Project Leaders: Patrick Brown (Professor) and Daniela Reineke (PhD student), Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis Location: Statewide Overview: The primary goal of this project is to develop best management practices that allow California almond growers with micro-irrigation, to effectively leach salts while minimizing nitrate …<\/p>\n

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These grants will fund six projects that will improve the efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of fertilizer\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "FREP Grant Program"","block_context":{"text":"FREP Grant Program","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/category\/frep-grant-program\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":139,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/key-learnings-from-the-frepwpha-conference\/","url_meta":{"origin":608,"position":1},"title":"Key Learnings from the FREP\/WPHA Conference","author":"Brooke Elliot","date":"November 30, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"The twenty fourth annual FREP\/WPHA Conference took place on October 26-27, where speakers from industry, academia, and agricultural consulting provided cutting edge information on nutrient management in California agriculture. The conference presentations covered a wide range of nutrient management topics including education and outreach, soil microbiology, government regulations and irrigation,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nutrient Management Events"","block_context":{"text":"Nutrient Management Events","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/category\/nutrient-management-events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Conf-Key-Learnings-Banner","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Conf-Key-Learnings-Banner-1024x330.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Conf-Key-Learnings-Banner-1024x330.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Conf-Key-Learnings-Banner-1024x330.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":134,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/fertilizer-research-conference-will-be-held-in-modesto-october-26-27-2016\/","url_meta":{"origin":608,"position":2},"title":"Fertilizer Research Conference Will be Held in Modesto, October 26-27, 2016","author":"Brooke Elliot","date":"October 20, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"The California Department of Food and Agriculture\u2019s Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) and the Western Plant Health Association (WPHA) are hosting their 24th annual fertilizer research conference on October 26-27, 2016 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Modesto, California. This event brings together industry professionals and academic researchers to learn\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nutrient Management Events"","block_context":{"text":"Nutrient Management Events","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/category\/nutrient-management-events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Conf-Blog-Banner","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Conf-Blog-Banner.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Conf-Blog-Banner.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Conf-Blog-Banner.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Conf-Blog-Banner.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":334,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/grants-to-begin-funding-january-2018\/","url_meta":{"origin":608,"position":3},"title":"Grants to Begin Funding January 2018","author":"Brooke Elliot","date":"January 2, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"The Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is pleased to announce the award of almost $800,000 in grant funds to agricultural organizations and universities this year. 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This\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nutrient Management Events"","block_context":{"text":"Nutrient Management Events","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/category\/nutrient-management-events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":184,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/research-update-data-driven-nitrate-leaching-hazard-index-and-bmp-assessment-tool\/","url_meta":{"origin":608,"position":5},"title":"Research Update: Data Driven Nitrate Leaching Hazard Index and BMP Assessment Tool","author":"Brooke Elliot","date":"March 14, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Research Project: A Data Driven Nitrate Leaching Hazard Index and BMP Assessment Tool - O\u2019Geen, A. et al. Status: Second year of a three year study Issue: California growers are faced with the challenge of producing high-quality crops while minimizing the movement of fertilizer nitrogen to groundwater. 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