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1. Is Cover Crop Species Mixture and Diversity More Important at Building Soil Health than Shoot Biomass in a Semi-arid Region?Cover crop mixtures (CCMs) as partial fallow replacements have the potential to increase soil health, yet long-term studies on CCMs, especially in semi-arid environments are relatively rare. An eight-year study at two locations in semi-arid Montana sought to evaluate the effect of functional group (N fixer, tap roots, fibrous roots, brassicacae) and species richness (2, 6, and 8 species in a mix) on a range of biological, physical and chemical soil parameters. Although several soil health... P. Miller, C. Jones, C. Zabinski, K. D'agati, M. Housman, S. Tallman |
2. Evaluation of Lime Requirement Estimation Methods for Oregon Agricultural SoilsSoil testing labs in the Pacific Northwest are considering non-hazardous alternatives to the Shoemaker-McLean-Pratt (SMP) buffer method for lime requirement estimation (LRE). While alternative LRE methods have been adopted in other parts of the U.S., they have not been evaluated for Oregon soils. The goal of this study was to evaluate several LRE methods for agricultural soils from western and eastern Oregon, applying the lime incubation method for actual lime requirement. Twenty-four acidic... C. Evans, A. Moore, D. Sullivan |
3. Refining Nitrogen Management for Organic Broccoli ProductionSpecialty organic fertilizers used in organic vegetable production are expensive. So, from environmental and economic perspectives, growers want to maximize nitrogen (N) fertilizer use efficiency by the crop. This research was conducted to (1) determine sufficient N fertilizer rates for organic broccoli, (2) evaluate the efficacy of a specialty organic fertilizer (feather meal; 12-0-0), and (3) confirm the effectiveness of midseason soil nitrate analyses (0-30 cm) in determining appropriate sidedress... D. Sullivan, R.E. Peachey, A. Donaldson |
4. Is Residue Management an Important Factor in the Soil Health of Perennial Grass Seed Production Systems?Residue management in agricultural systems is a crucial pathway of nutrient and organic matter flow and is predicted to affect soil health indices. In Western Oregon, perennial grasses for seed are a major crop, occupying roughly 150,000 ha in the Willamette Valley. Current estimates are that 80-85% of producers remove straw residue, exporting more than 650,000 US tons of straw annually. The primary objectives of this study were: i) evaluate soil health outcomes under residue retention and removal... B. Verhoeven, A. Moore, D. Sullivan, M. Gonzalez-mateu |
5. Soil Diversity and Agricultural Adaptation Across MicronesiaMicronesia, a sub-region of Oceania, comprises approximately 2,100 small islands belonging to five sovereign nations scattered across 2.9 million square miles of the Western Pacific. A majority of the islands are low-lying, sandy coralatolls, but high volcanic islands and raised limestone islands are major population centers in the region. Palau, in the west, was first settled by seafaring peoples as early as 4000-4500 BP and the colonization of Marshall Islands at the eastern edge... J. Deenik |
6. Cover Crops As A Source Of Plant-Available Nitrogen: Effect Of Residual Soil N And Cover Crop SpeciesFall-planted brassica and small grain cover crops have the potential to serve as catch crops by taking up residual soil nitrogen (N) in the soil. While plant species is often considered when estimating N release rates from cover crop residues, variation in residual soil N is rarely considered. The first objective of this study was to quantify the effect of N fertilizer application rate (to simulate varying residual soil N levels) on tissue N concentrations of several cover... J. Neuman, D. Sullivan, A. Moore |
7. Interpreting Compost AnalysesThis outreach publication is designed for wholesale buyers of compost for resale, nursery managers, public/private landscape managers, farm advisors, and farmers. The publication provides guidance on how to select a laboratory, based on intended compost end use (field application vs. potting soil). Interpretations are provided for laboratory tests available from commercial laboratories, including chemical tests (pH, soluble salt, macro- and micro-nutrients), physical tests... D. Sullivan |
8. Measuring Ammonia Loss Using Field-scale and Laboratory TechniquesFollowing the surface application of urea to soil, there is the potential for nitrogen (N) loss from ammonia (NH3) volatilization until sufficient rain or irrigation has moved it into the soil. Many studies measuring NH3 loss have used laboratory and microplot field studies. The limitation of these techniques is that they do not represent NH3 loss under natural conditions because enclosures alter air movement, humidity, and soil and air temperature inside the chambers. However, they... A. Heinrich, D. Sullivan |
9. Preliminary Assessment of the Solvita-CO2 Test in Characterizing Management Effects on Soil Biological Activity in Some Soils of HawaiiThe health of agricultural soils depends to a great degree on management practices that promote soil organic matter accumulation. While total soil organic carbon (C) is the standard measure of soil organic matter, it changes slowly and does not provide a sensitive enough test to assess short term management effects on soil health. However, a key indicator of healthy soil is potential biological activity, which can be measured rapidly with soil testing via short-term carbon (C) mineralization following... J. Deenik, M. Loo |
10. Ammonia Volatilization from Urea Vs. Alternative Nitrogen FertilizersSubstantial ammonia (NH3) volatilization can occur from surface application of urea on sandy soils with low pH buffering capacity such as those in the semi-arid Columbia Basin. Previous studies have reported loss of up to 60% of urea-N as ammonia on these soils. The objective of this study was to quantify ammonia loss per acre for urea and for alternative N fertilizer products, including: sulfur-coated urea (SCU), urea coated with NBPT urease inhibitor (urea + Agrotain), ammonium sulfate... S. Del moro, D. Sullivan, D. Horneck |
11. Cover Cropping in the Semi-arid West: Effects of Termination Timing, Species, and Mixtures on Nitrogen Uptake, Yield, Soil Quality, and Economic ReturnSummer fallow still dominates some areas of the northern Great Plains (NGP), providing an opportunity to grow a partial season cover crop for increased soil health or nutrient availability. Over 12 years of research on single species cover crops in semi-arid Montana have revealed the benefits of early termination and multiple cover crop cycles on N availability, subsequent crop yield, soil health, and economic return. Due to high N fixation, pea cover crops have fairly consistently increased subsequent... C. Jones, P. Miller, S. Tallman, M. Housman, C. Zabinski, M. Burgess, J. O'dea, A. Bekkerman |
12. Chloride Effects on Nitrogen Uptake in Potato ProductionPotassium (K) can be supplied by potassium chloride (KCl) or sulfate (K2SO4) salts. Past research has shown that potatoes can take up and accumulate large amounts of chloride (Cl). Plant uptake of Cl can sometimes reduce petiole nitrate-N (NO3-N) concentration and it may have other effects on potato tuber yield and quality. In contrast, sulfate-S (SO4-S) typically does not compete strongly with NO3-N for plant uptake. This research was designed to evaluate the effect of Cl application on petiole... D. Sullivan, S. Light, D. Horneck |
13. The Effect of Cyanobacteria Biofertilizer on Western Colorado Organic Peach Quality and Yield CharacteristicsNitrogen (N) is the nutrient needed by crops in the highest amounts and the production of synthetic N fertilizers contributes the highest proportion of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, when compared to other sectors of agriculture. Cyanobacteria are naturally occurring in most ecosystems and fix nitrogen gas from the atmosphere into forms which are useable by plants. Cyanobacteria was applied along with irrigation water to organically farmed peach trees (Prunus persica cv. Suncrest) as a... D. Sterle, G. Litus, F. Stonaker, S. Ela, J. Davis |
14. Effects of Commercial Organic and Cyanobacterial Fertilizers on Instantaneous Water Use Efficiency in Drip Irrigated Organic Sweet CornWater and fertilizers are applied to maintain crop growth, yield, and quality. Nitrogen (N) fertilizer plays a crucial role in crop growth and yield development of sweet corn (Zea mays). Organic growers often use commercial organic animal- based fertilizers which vary in nutrient composition, forms of available N (NH4+- N and NO3--N), and have high transportation costs. Alternatively, cyanobacteria can be grown on-site as a source of N. Cyanobacteria haves unique dual properties because they... J. G. davis, A. Sukor, C. Ramsey |
15. Nitrogen Budgeting for Organic ProductionNitrogen management for high value vegetable crops under organic management is challenging. Organic systems rely on N mineralization processes in soil to deliver nitrate-N in adequate amounts with appropriate timing. The traditional nutrient management planning process (checkbook method: matching nutrient supply and demand over a production cycle) contains too many assumptions for accurate forecasting of plant-available N supply for organic systems. Organic fertilizers fall into three... D. Sullivan |
16. Effects of Enhanced Mixing and Minimal Co2 Supplementation on Biomass and Nitrogen Concentration in a Nitrogen-fixing Anabaena Sp. Cyanobacteria Biofertilizer Production CultureNitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria are attractive as a nitrogen fertilizer because they are ubiquitous in nature and have minimal nutrient requirements. Our lab is scaling up production of a local strain of the nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. in on-farm open raceways to determine its exonomic ppotential as a nitrogen fertilizer for horticultural crops. Our goal is to increase productivity in an organically certifiable growth medium above the current two week batch production levels... J. G. davis, J. Wenz, H. Storteboom |
17. Effect of Liquid Organic Fertilizers and Seaweed Extract on Daucus Carota Var. Sativus Growth CharacteristicsCommon N fertilizers used in organic production are often energy intensive to produce and expensive to transport. Cyanobacteria fertilizer produced on-farm could decrease impacts on the environment as well as production costs for organic farmers. In addition, cyanobacteria fertilizer could perform similarly to products marketed to increase production via plant growth hormones such as seaweed extract. The effects of common organic fertilizers as well as organic liquid cyanobacteria fertilizer on... J. G. davis, A. Wickham |
18. Nitrogen Transformations in Flooded Agroecosystems: a Case Study with Taro (Colocassia Esculenta)Wetland agriculture covers an estimated 170 million ha and contributes significantly to global food supply. Nitrogen fertilizers are subject to numerous potential transformation pathways in flooded systems. The present research was focused on improving our understanding of N transformations in a flooded agricultural system by addressing the following two broad objectives: 1) determine whether the presence of anammox bacteria and its activity contribute significantly to N losses, and 2) evaluate... J. Deenik, C. Penton, B. Popp, G. Bruland, P. Engstrom, J. Mueller, J. Tiedje |
19. Development and Use of the OSU Organic Fertilizer and Cover Crop CalculatorFarm advisory visits in Oregon highlighted the need for decision tools to help farmers and agricultural professionals estimate nitrogen (N) mineralization from organic fertilizers and cover crops, design balanced fertilizer plans and identify the most cost effective nutrient management options. Laboratory and field research was conducted to develop N mineralization models for organic fertilizers and compost based on the total percent N. Field methods for estimating cover crop biomass and total... N. Andrews, D. Sullivan, J. Julian, K. Pool |
20. Highbush Blueberry Response to Compost and SulfurHighbush blueberry is adapted to soils with high organic matter and acidic pH, and it is often grown in Oregon with coniferous sawdust as a soil amendment or mulch. Composts could provide an alternative to sawdust, but acidification is needed to overcome high pH. Our objectives were to (i) predict the quantity of acidity needed to reduce compost pH to 4.8 (ideal for blueberry), (ii) determine compost characteristics suited for blueberry, and (iii) evaluate plant growth response and soil pH response... D. Sullivan, R. Costello, D. Bryla, B. Strik, J. Owens |
21. The Use of Biochar As a Fertility Amendment in Tropical SoilsBiochars made from modern pyrolysis methods have attracted widespread attention as potential soil amendments to improve plant productivity in the infertile soils of the tropics. Feedstock and pyrolysis conditions affect the physico-chemical properties of biochar with important implications for soil fertility and plant growth. Specifically, biochar volatile matter (VM) significantly affect soil inorganic nitrogen (N) status and ash content impacts soil elemental composition and pH. This paper highlights... J. Deenik, T. Mcclellan |
22. Choosing Your Nitrogen Fertilizers Based on Ammonia VolatilizationUntil recently we have not been able to measure ammonia volatilization without impacting the surrounding environment. In the past we have used closed chambers with acid traps. These closed chambers did not reflect surrounding weather conditions, at the minimum both temperature and wind were influenced. The use of the vertical flux method allows ammonia in the air to be monitored and modeled to reflect ammonia loss without any interference of the surrounding environment. ... D. Sullivan, D. Horneck, J. Holcomb, G. Clough |
23. Ammonia VolatilizationLittle work has been reported on the loss of ammonia from soils where fertilizers have been applied in an undisturbed environment. There are a multitude of studies that have used a chamber of some sort to estimate ammonia loss. The use of a chamber of some sort means that the environment has to be altered making the data derived suspect when translated into a loss number such as kg/ha. The advent of passive vertical flux method by Wood et al., 2000 at Aubrn University in Alabama, allows for the... J. Holcomb, D. Horneck, G. Clough, D. Sullivan |
24. Predicting Plant-available Nitrogen Release from Cover Crop ResiduesImproved methods are needed to estimate the timing and amount of plant- available N (PAN) release from cover crops. The OSU Organic Fertilizer and Cover Crop Calculator, a downloadable spreadsheet tool, assists agricultural professionals in estimating N fertilizer replacement value of organic inputs. We conducted a series of laboratory incubations with cover crop biomass incorporated into soil to determine: (i) speed of PAN release, (ii) amount of PAN release, and (iii) robustness of the OSU Calculator... D. Sullivan, N. Andrews, R. Datta, K. Pool |
25. Biochar Volatile Matter Content Effects on Plant Growth and Nitrogen Transformations in a Tropical SoilBiochars made from modern pyrolysis methods have attracted widespread attention as potential soil amendments with agronomic value. A series of greenhouse experiments and laboratory incubations were conducted to assess the effects of biochar volatile matter (VM) content on plant growth, nitrogen (N) transformations, and microbial activities in an acid tropical soil. High VM biochar inhibited plant growth and reduced N uptake with and without the addition of fertilizers. Low VM charcoal supplemented... J. Deenik, A. Mcclellan, G. Uehara |
26. Agronomic Biosolids Application Rates for Dryland Wheat Across a Range of Northwest Climate ZonesPredicting agronomic rates is important to derive optimum economic and environmental benefits from biosolids fertilizer applications. We conducted this research to 1) evaluate dryland wheat response to biosolids applications over a range of climate zones in the Pacific Northwest and 2) compare agronomic application rates predicted from yield curves with those predicted from published extension guidance. We applied a range of biosolids rates during the fallow year in ten on-farm dryland wheat experiments... A. Bary, D. Sullivan, C. Cogger |
27. Variability of Manure Nutrient Content and Implications for Manure Sampling ProtocolThe variability of manure nutrient levels within and across farms makes manure sampling and development of reliable tabular values challenging. The chemical characteristics of beef, dairy, horse, sheep, and chicken solid manures in Colorado were evaluated by sampling six to ten different livestock operations for each manure type and comparing the results to values found in the literature. Due to the semi-arid climate of Colorado, manure tends to be drier and have lower ammonium (NH4-N) levels... J. G. davis, K. Iversen, M. Vigil |
28. Soil Testing to Improve Phosphorus Management on Intensive Vegetable Farms in HawaiiAccording to a recent survey of soil samples sent to the Agricultural Diagnostic Service Center (ADSC) at the University of Hawaii between October 2002 and September 2003, a majority of the samples showed soil test P (STP) levels in the high or excessive categories. Despite high soil test P, many farmers in Hawaii continue to apply P fertilizers. We began a project to evaluate soil P status on a range of vegetable farms throughout the state, to determine crop response to P fertilizers on soils... J. Deenik, S. Fukuda, R. Hamasaki, R. Shimabuku, R. Uchida |
29. Determining Plant Available Nitrogen from Manure and Compost Topdressed on an Irrigated PastureComposting manure is a practice that is gaining acceptance as an environmentally sound manure management practice at large animal production operations. Composting produces a value-added product that enhances the fertility and physical properties of soil. During the composting process, nitrogen and phosphorus in the original feedstocks are converted through microbial activity into predominantly stable organic compounds, lessening the risk of loss of these nutrients into the environment. Compost... J. G. davis, T. Bauder, K. Corwin doesken, A. Elliott |
30. Best Management Practices (Bmps) for Ammonia Emissions Reduction from Animal Feeding Operations: a Colorado Case StudyAmmonia emissions from agriculture are a growing concern, in particular, in Colorado where nitrogen deposition in Rocky Mountain National Park has highlighted public concerns. Due to the high level of political pressure on agriculture to reduce its emissions, the agricultural community in Colorado has recently developed a Rocky Mountain National Park Ag Strategy for decreasing ammonia emissions from agriculture and nitrogen deposition in the park. The strategy includes the completion of a thorough... J. G. davis, A. Elliott, N. Marcillac, J. Pritchett, C. Stewart, A. Mink |
31. Reducing Dairy Effluent Phosphorus Content Through Struvite ProductionForced precipitation of struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate, MgNH4PO46H2O) in wastewater treatment has recently received increased attention as a method of phosphorus (P) recycling. Dairy lagoon P concentrations can be lowered, and the recovered struvite has the potential to be marketed and used as a fertilizer. Struvite may even be useful in organic production on calcareous soils, where rock P (PR) is not an option. A new organic treatment method, based on an existing... J. G. davis, J. Ippolito, M. Massey, R. Sheffield |
32. Cool Season Mineralization of Recalcitrant Organic N in Undisturbed Cores of Manured SoilsThe objectives of this study were to (1) quantify cool season N mineralization from recalcitrant organic N in soils with a long history of manure application and (2) examine the relationship between cool season recalcitrant organic N mineralization and a fall mineralizable N index. “Cool season” was defined as October to February for fields with winter crops and October to May for fields with no winter crops. Two in situ trials were conducted with undisturbed soil... D. Moberg, D. Sullivan, R. Johnson |
33. Predicting Phosphorus Runoff from Calcareous SoilsStudies have shown that as extractable soil P levels increase, runoff P levels also increase. This relationship has been found on many different soils, but tends to be unique for each soil series. Very little research exists evaluating this relationship in calcareous soils. The objectives of this study were to determine soil series specific relationships between soil test phosphorus (STP) and runoff P for three calcareous soils, to compare the use of different soil extractants for runoff P prediction... J. G. davis, R. Schierer, J. Zumbrunnen |
34. Developing Extension Guidance for Management Effects on Ammonia Loss: a Computer Simulation Modeling ApproachComputer simulation models provide insight into ammonia loss processes and the sensitivity of ammonia loss predictions to environmental and management variables. As an example of how a simple computer simulation model can inform the Extension guideline development process, the ALFAM (Ammonia Volatilization from Field-Applied Animal Slurry) model was used to estimate NH3 loss from surface- applied municipal biosolids: liquid (3% dry matter) and dewatered (22% dry matter). Model output... D. Sullivan |
35. Monitoring Soil Nitrate to Estimate Cover Crop N Contribution in Organic Vegetable Production FieldsOrganic vegetable growers rely on legume cover crops as an economical source of plant-available N. This research evaluated N contributions to summer vegetable crops by cover crops (CC) residues by monitoring soil nitrate (NO3-N) concentrations during the summer crop growing season. Replicated field plots were established with three CC mixes: solo common vetch (V), phacelia + V (PV), and cereal rye + V (RV), plus a winter fallow (F) control in grower fields in the north Willamette Valley... D. Sullivan, N. Andrews |