Source: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS submitted to NRP
ADVANCED SENSING AND MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGIES TO OPTIMIZE NITROGEN MANAGEMENT IN DECIDUOUS CROPS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0218808
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2009
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2014
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS
410 MRAK HALL
DAVIS,CA 95616-8671
Performing Department
Plant Sciences
Non Technical Summary
Water management in deciduous perennial crops is constrained by a lack of information and an inability to provide targeted management. Currently, the application of fertilizers follows standardized practice with little consideration of spatial, temporal, climatic and crop variability resulting in lost income and negative environmental impact. Rising fertilizer prices and environmental demands and the recognition that over 50 percent of the green house gas production can be attributed to N2O production by agriculture, has resulted in great interest in the development of improved management practices. In 2008, an extensive stakeholder analysis was conducted to catalog current practice and perceptions and identify priority research and extension needs. The following primary constraints and research needs were identified. 1)Development of improved tools to monitor and predict nutrient demand and nutrient status 2)Improved ability to integrate irrigation and fertilization 3)Site specific management technologies 4)Management of problem soils and resource limited conditions 5)Improved extension methodology. This project will address these constraints through the integration of remote and local sensing, with plant-based measures, modeling and on-farm validation to derive grower appropriate nitrogen management tools and sound knowledge to inform policy decisions. A unique and compelling aspect of this project is that it will integrate an unprecedented number of current and past field studies, with a very large number of grower fields for which extensive data on a host of plant, soil and crop characters is available. This data set will be used to develop and calibrate new nutrient sensor technologies, as well as design and validate new modeling procedures to improve production efficiency, productivity, and profitability while reducing the green house gas footprint of this agricultural sector. This project will bring together expertise in extension, soil science, horticulture, plant nutrition, plant water relations, soil biogeochemistry, crop modeling, climate modeling, engineering and remote sensing in a unique collaborative effort. The outcome will be a new suite of tools and decision support systems for growers to use to optimize productivity and efficiency. Industry stakeholders have provided substantial direct support for this project, have been involved in problem identification, have initiated large scale orchard based trials, have coordinated grower participation and will be involved in all stages of project implementation and adoption thus ensuring effective and relevant research and outreach.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1021219106034%
1111219202033%
2051219101033%
Knowledge Area
102 - Soil, Plant, Water, Nutrient Relationships; 111 - Conservation and Efficient Use of Water; 205 - Plant Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
1219 - Edible tree nuts, general/other;

Field Of Science
2020 - Engineering; 1060 - Biology (whole systems); 1010 - Nutrition and metabolism;
Goals / Objectives
Nitrogen management in deciduous perennial crops is constrained by a lack of information and an inability to provide targeted management. Currently, the application of fertilizers follows standardized practice with little consideration of spatial, temporal and crop variability resulting in lost income and negative environmental impact. Rising fertilizer prices in the major production regions, market and environmental demands and the recognition that over 50 percent of the green house gas production can be attributed to N2O production by agriculture, has resulted in great interest among the deciduous tree industries to develop improved management practices. In 2008, an extensive stakeholder analysis was conducted to catalog current practice and perceptions and identify priority research and extension needs. Stakeholders identified the following as the primary constraints and research needs. 1)Development of improved tools to monitor and predict nutrient demand and nutrient status. 2)Improved ability to integrate irrigation and fertilization. 3)Site specific management technologies. 4)Management of problem soils and resource limited conditions. 5)Improved extension methodology. This project addresses these needs through a multi-discipline, multi-scale activity that integrates remote and local sensing, with modeling and on-farm validation to derive grower appropriate management tools and sound knowledge to inform policy decisions. Initial activities will be conducted in Almond, Pecan, Grape and Pistachio and will be adapted to the full range of perennial fruit and nut species through collaborative agreements in subsequent years. The outcome will be grower accessible website that provides real time and field specific recommendations for nutrient management.
Project Methods
This project will integrate remote and local sensing, with plant-based measures, modeling and on-farm validation to derive grower appropriate nitrogen management tools and sound knowledge to inform policy decisions. To enable multi-scale analysis, robust model building and validation, a core set of orchards will be utilized and monitored extensively at a variety of scales. At all sites, we will collect data from a large number of individual trees, 100's, with a number of measures of tree characteristics, performance, nutritional status, proximal and remote sensing. This approach will allow the use a more diverse set of statistical tools and partially compensate for the impact of annual yield fluctuations and multi year dependency. Three integrated activities will be conducted to improve our ability to efficiently use water and nitrogen in deciduous tree crops: 1. Nitrogen Demand Estimation 2. Nitrogen Status Determination 3. Integration And Validation of New Management Practices DEMAND ESTIMATION: Plant and orchard/vineyard scale investigations of N demand and fluxes will be modeled based upon a phenology and yield based nutrient demand model for Almond and Pistachio. Gaseous and sub-soil nitrogen losses will be measured using in-situ sampling methods and determination of the physiological and soil environmental properties that regulate N uptake at the root system level. The information collected will be used to model crop yield patterns, and nutrient and water demand. STATUS DETERMINATION: Plant and orchard/vineyard based determination of nutrient status will be conducted using a variety of current and novel determination methods. Through extensive tissue sampling and multi-element analysis and comparison with yield and seasonal variability we will conduct a reevaluation of leaf and orchard sampling protocols and critical value determinations. Results will be contrasted with a number of novel measures of plant nutrient status including near infra red (NIR), hyperspectral analysis and targeted spectral analysis of leaf, individual tree and whole canopy. Multiple measures of soil and plant nutrient status and correlation with theoretical, remote and direct measures will be conducted. INTEGRATION AND VALIDATION: Plant nutrient demand, yield prediction and current status derived in the approaches described above will be integrated to generate models and model visualizations (maps) usable by growers to make resource use decisions. The modeling results will be validated through comparison to research plots and known orchards/vineyards. Workshops and extension meetings will encourage growers to use the models and iteratively improve precision and accuracy.

Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: Target Audiences include, growers of tree crops in California, industry boards for tree crops in California (Almond, Walnut, Pistachio). Horticulturalists working in California, US and internationally. Professional societies for horticulture, plant nutrition, agricultural water use, meteorology, remote sensing. USDA, Califorinia Dept Fodd and Agriculture. Industry including those involved in irrigation, fertilization, equipment, sensing, service provision related to the tree crop industries of the US. Home gardeners with an interest in fruit trees. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Besides the PI and co-PIs, training opportunities and collaborative researchers included 12 Doctoral students, 3 Master, 2 undergraduate, 2 visiting scholars, 3 Post Doctoral scholars, 3 UC Extension Specialists, 7 technical staff, and 8 USDA-ARS researchers, 27 NASA students and staff. Results of this project have played an integral part in informing new regulatory guidelines for nitrogen management in almond and pistachio in California. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? This work has been presented at numerous meetings to communities of interest and has been reported on in many newspaper and popular press articles: Including Brown P, 2014 Nitrogen Training Workshop for Crop Advisors and Certification program for implementation of new Nitrogen Management Strategies for Californian Agriculture. -Jan 14- 15, Modesto California. 120 Participants -Feb 18-19, Woodland Ca. 132 Participants -Feb 25-26, Fresno CA. 128 Participants -March 11-12, Tulare, 145 Parricipants -March 23-24, Paso Roble, 85 Participants Brown P, 2014 Nitrogen Management in Tree Crops, Western Nutrient Management Conference, Reno NV, March 7-9. 320 Participants Brown P, 2013 Industry University partnerships in research and extension. ASHS Annual Meeting. Palm Desert, CA. 148 Participants Brown P, 2013 Foliar Fertilization, Principles and Practices, IPNC Istanbul, Turkey. 750 participants. Aug18-14. Brown P, 2013 Foliar Fertilization, Principles and Practices, FREP Modesto, Nov 29-30, 250 participants. Brown P, 2013 Foliar Fertilization, Principles and Practices, Springfield, Illinois. 150 participants. Nov 18-20. Brown, P. 2012. Foliar fertilization of tree crops. ASHS. Miami FL. 60 Attendees. Brown, P. 2012. Management of N in Almonds. CDFA-FREP and WPHA Annual Workshop. Modesto CA. 400 atten. Expert Panel Member presentation and discussion. Brown, P. 2012. Managing large scale collaborative research projects. Pomology Extension Continuing Conference. Davis CA. 50 atten. Brown, P. 2012. Nutrient Budget and development of new sampling strategies for N management. Northern San Joaquin Almond Day. Merced CA. 420 atten. Brown, P. 2012. Nutrient Budget and development of new sampling strategies for N management. ISHS Meeting on Nutrition of Tree Crops, Chakrabourty Thailand. 250 atten. Brown, P. 2012. Nutrient Budget and development of new sampling strategies for N management. Australian Almond Industry Annual Meeting, Nuriootpa, SA. 220 atten. Brown, P. 2012. Nutrient Management in Pistachio. Pistachio Day. Visalia CA. 280 atten. Brown, P. 2012. Plant Nutrition in a Changing Environment. German Soc. for Plant Nutrition. 200 atten. Brown, P. USDA Grant Review SCRI CAP Project Panel, Washington DC. Brown, P. 2012. Nutrient Management of Almonds. Almond Board of California: Sacramento CA.1800 atten. Schellenberg D. et al. 2012. Gross N transformations and 15N assimilation after arid land fertilization at the tree scale. ESA. Portland OR. Ustin,S. 2012. NASA Student Airborne Research Program (SARP). 27 students. FREP/WPHA Member Panel Discussion Nitrate in Ag, Modesto October 30, 2012 Managing Nitrogen in Almonds, Almond Board Conference December, 2012, 1,000 Attendees ASHS Symposium on Mineral Nutrition of Deciduous Fruit Trees, Miami, 2011. 'Transient Nutrient Deficiency - A rationale for foliar fertilizers'. ASHS Symposium on Mineral Nutrition of Deciduous Fruit Trees, Miami, 2011. 'Zinc foliar fertilizers'. ASHS Symposium on Mineral Nutrition of Deciduous Fruit Trees, Palm Desert, 2011. 'Building University-Industry Partnerships'. Western Nutrient Management Meeting, California Agronomy Society Meeting, Reno, March 7th, 2013. Managing Nitrogen in Orchards'. Tri-County Walnut and Almond Day, Feb, 2012 Fluid Fertiizer Foundation Annual Meeting, 2010, 2012 International Symposium of Foliar Fertilization, Thailand 2012 New Agriculture International Conference, Miami, 2011. California Association of Pest Control Advisers, Jan 10th, 2012 Anaheim California Tehama County Walnut Day, Feb 2012. Western Nutrient Management Meeting, CASS Meeting, Reno, March 7th, 2013 Brown, P. 2011. Update on Nutrient Management of Almonds. Almond Board of California: Modesto CA.1800 atten. Brown, P. 2011. CDFA-FREP Annual Conference. Management of N in Tree Crops. Paso Robles CA. 300 atten. Brown, P. 2011. Sampling strategies for Nutrient Management in Tree Crops. Fluid Fertilizer Foundation Meeting. Stockton CA. 55 atten. CDFA FREP Regional Meeting, Stockton, Boron in Agriculture, Nov 6th, 2011 CDFA FREP Regional Meeting, Paso Robles, Boron in Agriculture, Nov 7th, 2011 California Agronomy Society Annual Meeting, Salinity in Tree Crops, August 2011 What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We have achieved all specified research needs and have received new grants to further extend the research and education programs commenced under this project . 1) We have developed new guidelines for almond and pistachio leaf sampling and almond and pistachio nutrient management. 2 and 3) We have produced numerous workshops and publications adressing the integration of irrigation and fertilizer management, 4) we have made substantial contributions to understanding the interactions between drought, salinity and nutrient management The research results have also been published on the Almond Board of California Website where they will serve to advise growers and consultants on new management practices see http://www.almondboard.com/Growers/OrchardManagement/PlantNutrition/Pages/Default.aspx. Research is being extended through supplemental funding received by the PI's on the basis of the results achieved in this grant. Smart, D.R. (PI) Brown, P.H. (PI) Harter, T (PI) Hopmans, J. (PI) Sanden, B (coop), Fulton, A. (coop) Alsina, MM (coop). Project Title: Optimizing the Use of Groundwater Nitrogen for Nut Crops. (2013-2015). Funded by CDFA Fertilizer Research & Education Program (~400,000). Non-state funds: California Pistachio Research Board (80,000), California Almond Board (50,000) and D.R. Smart/Blake Sanden/P Brown, "N-loss During High Frequency Low Nitrogen Fertigation", addresses soil NO3-absorption by tree crops from dilute N solutions and N-loss (Almond Board of California, $40,000, 2013). The experimental results of these recently funded projects are expected to set the basis for the development of guidelines to meet pending legislative requirements to control nitrate ground water pollution in California. The experimental results from this project are being utilized as the basis for a series of Californian Dept. Food and Agriculture sponsored workshops as the basis for the new legislated requirement for growers in California to adopt a Nitrogen Management plan for their agricultural lands that will come into effect in 2014-15.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Falk, M., Pyles, R.D., Ustin, S.L., Paw, K.T., Xu, L., Whiting, M.L., Sanden, B.L., and Brown, P.H. (2014). Evaluated Crop Evapotranspiration over a Region of Irrigated Orchards with the Improved ACASA-WRF Model. Journal of Hydrometeorology 15, 744-758. doi: 10.1175/jhm-d-12-0183.1.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Fernandez, V., and Brown, P.H. (2013). From plant surface to plant metabolism: the uncertain fate of foliar-applied nutrients. Frontiers in Plant Science 4. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2013.00289.
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Johnson, R.S., Saa, S., and Brown, P.H. (2013). "Testing the Effectiveness of Zinc Formulations Using Peach Seedlings," in Vii International Symposium on Mineral Nutrition of Fruit Crops, eds. S. Poovarodom & S. Yingjajaval.), 125-130.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Pope, K.S., Brown, P.H., Dose, V., Da Silva, D., and Dejong, T.M. (2014). Yield Potential Analysis to Model Dormancy Requirements in Pistachio. Vi International Symposium on Almonds and Pistachios 1028, 103-106.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Pope, K.S., Da Silva, D., Brown, P.H., and Dejong, T.M. (2014). A biologically based approach to modeling spring phenology in temperate deciduous trees. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 198, 15-23. doi: 10.1016/j.agrformet.2014.07.009.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Pope, K.S., Dose, V., Da Silva, D., Brown, P.H., Leslie, C.A., and Dejong, T.M. (2013). Detecting nonlinear response of spring phenology to climate change by Bayesian analysis. Global Change Biology 19, 1518-1525. doi: 10.1111/gcb.12130.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Saa, S., and Brown, P.H. (2014). Fruit presence negatively affects photosynthesis by reducing leaf nitrogen in almond. Functional Plant Biology 41, 884-891. doi: 10.1071/fp13343.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Saa, S., Brown, P.H., Muhammad, S., Olivos-Del Rio, A., Sanden, B.L., and Laca, E.A. (2014). Prediction of leaf nitrogen from early season samples and development of field sampling protocols for nitrogen management in Almond (Prunus dulcis Mill. DA Webb). Plant and Soil 380, 153-163. doi: 10.1007/s11104-014-2062-4.
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Saa, S., Muhammad, S., and Brown, P.H. (2013a). Development of Leaf Sampling and Interpretation Methods and Nutrient Budget Approach to Nutrient Management in Almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) DAWebb). Vii International Symposium on Mineral Nutrition of Fruit Crops 984, 291-296.
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Saa, S., Muhammad, S., Castro, S.J., and Brown, P.H. (2013b). "Effect of Spur Type, Foliar Sprays, and Differential Nitrogen Rates on Leaf Nutrient Content and Spur Leaf Area of Almond Trees (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb)," in Vii International Symposium on Mineral Nutrition of Fruit Crops, eds. S. Poovarodom & S. Yingjajaval.), 139-142.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Schellenberg, D.L., Alsina, M.M., Muhammad, S., Stockert, C.M., Wolff, M.W., Sanden, B.L., Brown, P.H., and Smart, D.R. (2012). Yield-scaled global warming potential from N2O emissions and CH4 oxidation for almond (Prunus dulcis) irrigated with nitrogen fertilizers on arid land. Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment 155, 7-15. doi: 10.1016/j.agee.2012.03.008.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Schellenberg, D.L., M.M. Alsina, S. Muhammad, C.M. Stockert, M.W. Wolff, B.L. Sanden, P.H. Brown, and D.R. Smart. 2012. Yield-scaled global warming potential from N2O emissions and CH4 oxidation for almond (prunus dulcis) irrigated with nitrogen fertilizers on arid land. Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment. 155:7-15.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Zarate-Valdez, J.L., M.L. Whiting, B.D. Lampinen, S. Metcalf, S.L. Ustin, and P.H. Brown. 2012. Prediction of leaf area index in almonds by vegetation indexes. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. 85:24-32.


Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: Target Audiences include, growers of tree crops in California, industry boards for tree crops in California (Almond, Walnut, Pistachio). Horticulturalists working in California, US and internationally. Professional societies for horticulture, plant nutrition, agricultural water use, meteorology, remote sensing. USDA, Califorinia Dept Fodd and Agriculture. Industry including those involved in irrigation, fertilization, equipment, sensing, service provision related to the tree crop industries of the US. Home gardeners with an interest in fruit trees. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Besides the PI and co-PIs, training opportunities and collaborative researchers included 12 Doctoral students, 3 Master, 2 undergraduate, 2 visiting scholars, 3 Post Doctoral scholars, 3 UC Extension Specialists, 7 technical staff, and 8 USDA-ARS researchers, 27 NASA students and staff. Results of this project have played an integral part in informing new regulatory guidelines for nitrogen management in almond and pistachio in California. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? This work has been presented at numerous meetings to communities of interest and has been reported on in many newspaper and popular press articles: Including Brown, P. 2012. Foliar fertilization of tree crops. ASHS. Miami FL. 60 Attendees. Brown, P. 2012. Management of N in Almonds. CDFA-FREP and WPHA Annual Workshop. Modesto CA. 400 atten. Expert Panel Member presentation and discussion. Brown, P. 2012. Managing large scale collaborative research projects. Pomology Extension Continuing Conference. Davis CA. 50 atten. Brown, P. 2012. Nutrient Budget and development of new sampling strategies for N management. Northern San Joaquin Almond Day. Merced CA. 420 atten. Brown, P. 2012. Nutrient Budget and development of new sampling strategies for N management. ISHS Meeting on Nutrition of Tree Crops, Chakrabourty Thailand. 250 atten. Brown, P. 2012. Nutrient Budget and development of new sampling strategies for N management. Australian Almond Industry Annual Meeting, Nuriootpa, SA. 220 atten. Brown, P. 2012. Nutrient Management in Pistachio. Pistachio Day. Visalia CA. 280 atten. Brown, P. 2012. Plant Nutrition in a Changing Environment. German Soc. for Plant Nutrition. 200 atten. Brown, P. USDA Grant Review SCRI CAP Project Panel, Washington DC. Brown, P. 2012. Nutrient Management of Almonds. Almond Board of California: Sacramento CA.1800 atten. Schellenberg D. et al. 2012. Gross N transformations and 15N assimilation after arid land fertilization at the tree scale. ESA. Portland OR. Ustin,S. 2012. NASA Student Airborne Research Program (SARP). 27 students. FREP/WPHA Member Panel Discussion Nitrate in Ag, Modesto October 30, 2012 Managing Nitrogen in Almonds, Almond Board Conference December, 2012, 1,000 Attendees ASHS Symposium on Mineral Nutrition of Deciduous Fruit Trees, Miami, 2011. 'Transient Nutrient Deficiency – A rationale for foliar fertilizers'. ASHS Symposium on Mineral Nutrition of Deciduous Fruit Trees, Miami, 2011. 'Zinc foliar fertilizers'. ASHS Symposium on Mineral Nutrition of Deciduous Fruit Trees, Palm Desert, 2011. 'Building University-Industry Partnerships'. Western Nutrient Management Meeting, California Agronomy Society Meeting, Reno, March 7th, 2013. Managing Nitrogen in Orchards'. Tri-County Walnut and Almond Day, Feb, 2012 Fluid Fertiizer Foundation Annual Meeting, 2010, 2012 International Symposium of Foliar Fertilization, Thailand 2012 New Agriculture International Conference, Miami, 2011. California Association of Pest Control Advisers, Jan 10th, 2012 Anaheim California Tehama County Walnut Day, Feb 2012. Western Nutrient Management Meeting, CASS Meeting, Reno, March 7th, 2013 Brown, P. 2011. Update on Nutrient Management of Almonds. Almond Board of California: Modesto CA.1800 atten. Brown, P. 2011. CDFA-FREP Annual Conference. Management of N in Tree Crops. Paso Robles CA. 300 atten. Brown, P. 2011. Sampling strategies for Nutrient Management in Tree Crops. Fluid Fertilizer Foundation Meeting. Stockton CA. 55 atten. CDFA FREP Regional Meeting, Stockton, Boron in Agriculture, Nov 6th, 2011 CDFA FREP Regional Meeting, Paso Robles, Boron in Agriculture, Nov 7th, 2011 California Agronomy Society Annual Meeting, Salinity in Tree Crops, August 2011 What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We have achieved all specified research needs and have received new grants to further extend the research and education programs commenced under this project . 1) We have developed new guidelines for almond and pistachio leaf sampling and almond and pistachio nutrient management. 2 and 3) We have produced numerous workshops and publications adressing the integration of irrigation and fertilizer management, 4) we have made substantial contributions to understanding the interactions between drought, salinity and nutrient management The research results have also been published on the Almond Board of California Website where they will serve to advise growers and consultants on new management practices see http://www.almondboard.com/Growers/OrchardManagement/PlantNutrition/Pages/Default.aspx. Research is being extended through supplemental funding received by the PI's on the basis of the results achieved in this grant. Smart, D.R. (PI) Brown, P.H. (PI) Harter, T (PI) Hopmans, J. (PI) Sanden, B (coop), Fulton, A. (coop) Alsina, MM (coop). Project Title: Optimizing the Use of Groundwater Nitrogen for Nut Crops. (2013-2015). Funded by CDFA Fertilizer Research & Education Program (~400,000). Non-state funds: California Pistachio Research Board (80,000), California Almond Board (50,000) and D.R. Smart/Blake Sanden/P Brown, "N-loss During High Frequency Low Nitrogen Fertigation", addresses soil NO3-absorption by tree crops from dilute N solutions and N-loss (Almond Board of California, $40,000, 2013). The experimental results of these recently funded projects are expected to set the basis for the development of guidelines to meet pending legislative requirements to control nitrate ground water pollution in California. The experimental results from this project are being utilized as the basis for a series of Californian Dept. Food and Agriculture sponsored workshops as the basis for the new legislated requirement for growers in California to adopt a Nitrogen Management plan for their agricultural lands that will come into effect in 2014-15.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Schellenberg, D.L., M.M. Alsina, S. Muhammad, C.M. Stockert, M.W. Wolff, B.L. Sanden, P.H. Brown, and D.R. Smart. 2012. Yield-scaled global warming potential from N2O emissions and CH4 oxidation for almond (prunus dulcis) irrigated with nitrogen fertilizers on arid land. Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment. 155:7-15.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Zarate-Valdez, J.L., M.L. Whiting, B.D. Lampinen, S. Metcalf, S.L. Ustin, and P.H. Brown. 2012. Prediction of leaf area index in almonds by vegetation indexes. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. 85:24-32.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Pope, K.S., V. Dose, D. Da Silva, P.H. Brown, C.A. Leslie, and T.M. Dejong. 2013. Detecting nonlinear response of spring phenology to climate change by bayesian analysis. Global Change Biology. 19:1518-1525
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Saa S., S. Muhammad, P. H. Brown. 2013. Development of leaf sampling and interpretation methods and Nutrient Budget Approach to Nutrient Management in Almond; Acta Hort. 984:291-296.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Saa S., S. Muhammad, S. J. Castro, P. H. Brown. 2013. Effect of Spur Type, Foliar Sprays, and Differential Nitrogen Rates on Leaf Nutrient Content and Spur Leaf Area of Almond Trees; Acta Hort. 984:139-142
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Johnson S., S. Saa, P. Brown. 2013. Testing the Effectiveness of Zinc Formulations Using Peach Seedlings; Acta Hort. 984:125-130


Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: In California, field data continued collection from 4 almond (Set A) and 4 pistachio (Set B) orchards. Samples from one extensive fertigation experiment (Set C), consisting of 24 treatments in 5-6 replicates, with various N and K rates and sources and 2 irrigation systems, with individual tree yield. Leaf samples from 30, 114 or 768 trees (sets A,B & C respectively) were collected monthly for five months. All samples analyzed for 11 major plant nutrients. Stem water potential (SWP) was measured monthly in same trees. In Set C, crop water use coefficients and soil-water relations determined. A draft website was developed to provide baseline (fully irrigated) SWP values in almonds, walnuts, prunes, and grapevines throughout California, allowing growers to locate the nearest CIMIS station to their location using a Google map application. The GHG emission data collected from the different scenarios in almonds and grapevines was spatially and temporally analyzed and results were published. Sampled Year 3 of 15N recovery in tree biomass and crop with scaling productivity to the field-scale. Fraction of photosynthetically active radiation (fPAR) mapped using mobile platform correlated to field-level and remotely-sensed Leaf Area Index (LAI) each month in almond and pistachio. Ground data of SWP, leaf water content, and LAI for MASTER imagery covering 2 blocks of vineyard. Initial results of modeling phenology variation with Landsat imagery time-series from 2000 and 2011 begun for the 11 blocks, and widen to 100 another orchards throughout San Joaquin Valley. In New Mexico, empirical relationships between reflectance indices derived from Landsat-7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper and in situ measurements of pecan foliar water potential were completed. Green reflectance showed significant relationships with water deficit in spring. Shortwave infrared (SWIR) and Band Ratio were significantly related to foliar water deficit in summer. Rootzone soil water depletion and SWP were monitored in drip irrigated pecans in sandy loam and silty clay loam soils. The RZWQM2 model was compared to the daily water balance method for the deep percolation calculation in 2 flood-irrigated pecan orchards with different depths to water table. The model provided satisfactory predictions of soil water dynamics, but consistently unpredicted soil water content after irrigation. HYDRUS-1D was used to simulate and quantify water fluxes in the vadose zone of a pecan orchard with and without root water uptake. Finally, a N model (included in the nut tree model by Andales) that simulates the interaction of N transformation, soil temperature, water, and N uptake to describe nitrate distribution in the root zone of a growing pecan tree for the entire growing season was developed and tested. In Texas, the analysis was completed for N content of leaf and root samples, nitrate content in soil samples, net CO2 assimilation, water potential, root images, and other plant metrics collected for 40 pecan seedlings that had received five N application rates in May and June of 2011 and 2012. Processing of root images collected using minirhizotrons is still underway. PARTICIPANTS: Besides the PI and co-PIs, training opportunities and collaborative researchers included 12 Doctoral students, 3 Master, 2 undergraduate, 2 visiting scholars, 3 Post Doctoral scholars, 3 UC Extension Specialists, 7 technical staff, and 8 USDA-ARS researchers, 27 NASA students and staff. Patrick Brown, PI/PD: oversight of overall project. S.Saa Silva, PhD student (PhDS): sampling almond. S. Muhammad, PhDS: fertilizer response of almond. I. Siddiqui, PhDS: sampling pistachio. J. Nunes, PhDS: assisted sampling. A. Olivos, PhDS: Root nutrient acquisition and turnover. Bruce Lampinen, coPI: mobile platform measurements; plot harvests. S. Metcalf, Tech Staff (TechS): field support for platform and harvests. M. L. Contador (MS) and Y. Bordes, TechS: assisted in field sampling. Leonardo Lombardini and A. Volder (co-PIs): oversaw TX pecan project. MS: H. Hannah and P. Graves. D. Slaughter, co-PI: lab spectroscopy. C. (Yun) Zhang, PhDS: optical data; plant analysis; model development. K. Chun, TechS: leaf chlorophyll determination. M. De Mesa, PhDS: sample processing. K. Shackel co-PI:water relations and irrigation information. W. Stewart, TechS: Field measurements. B. Sanden and two UC Extension Specialists: conduct fertigation studies at Set C and stem water potential measurements.T. Sammis, co-PI, Yahia Othman, and Rolston St. Hilaire: developed and evaluation of SATET remote sensing model of ET. M. Shukla: oversaw instrumentation, soil sampling in NM pecan. P. Sharma, PhDS, S. Deb, PhDS: field installation, sampling and analysis and data download. S. Leon, PhDS: soil sampling. D. R. Smart, co-PI: monitoring nitrogen loss from orchards and vineyards; spatial models for N2O emissions. M. M. Alsina, Post Doc: data processing, project database management from spatial and temporal models of nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide emissions, and directed experiments in quantifying below ground processes. D. Schellenberg, PhDS: gas sampling in almond, took and processed gas samples from orchards. C. Stockert, TechS: maintenance of gas measurement laboratory facilities; sample processing. S. Ustin, co-PI: development of higher resolution remotely sensed ET model, NCAR-WRF-ACASA. M. Falk, PostDoc: biometeorologist, programmer, Q. Hart, analyst, programmer, S-H. Chen, Assoc. Professor, mesoscale meteorologist, WRF development, G. Scheer, TechS: data manager. Collaborations of CSTARS staff, visiting scholars, and graduate students for field data collections, and two NASA funded project collaborations: D. Riano (Spain) (NNX09AN51G, Multiscale assessment of vegetation water content), T. Cheng, Post Doc & J.Gajardo, PhDS (Spain): Ground verification of hyperspectral images for canopy water content. NASA airborne SAR acquisitions and contributions from 8 USDA-ARS researchers (T. Jackson, Beltsville, MD) to detect and map soil moisture. M. Whiting, co-PI: ground reference measurements for Remote Sensing / GIS analysis. J. Zarate-Valdez (Sabbatical Professor, Mexico) correlated ground light measurements to MASTER imagery. S. Hogan, PhDS: GIS and database development. J. Martin, MS Student, S. Tran, Undergrad &M. Lay, TechS: field and lab assistance. TARGET AUDIENCES: Brown, P: 2011. Update on Nutrient Management of Almonds. Almond Board of California (ABofCa): Modesto CA.1800 atten. 2011. CDFA-FREP Annual Conference. Management of N in Tree Crops. Paso Robles CA. 300 atten. 2011. Sampling strategies for Nutrient Management in Tree Crops. Fluid Fertilizer Foundation Meeting. Stockton CA. 55 atten. 2011. Stakeholder Meeting Paramount Farming: Bakersfield CA. 18 atten. 2012. Foliar fertilization of tree crops. ASHS. Miami FL. 60 Attendees. 2012. Management of N in Almonds. CDFA-FREP and WPHA Annual Workshop. Modesto CA. 400 atten. Expert Panel Member presentation and discussion. 2012. Managing large scale collaborative research projects. Pomology Extension Continuing Conf. Davis CA. 50 atten. 2012. Nutrient Budget and development of new sampling strategies for N management. Northern San Joaquin Almond Day. Merced CA. 420 atten. 2012. Nutrient Budget and development of new sampling strategies for N management. ISHS Meeting on Nutrition of Tree Crops, Chakrabourty Thailand. 250 atten. 2012. Nutrient Budget and development of new sampling strategies for N management. Australian Almond Industry Annual Meeting, Nuriootpa, SA. 220 atten. 2012. Nutrient Management in Pistachio. Pistachio Day. Visalia CA. 280 atten. 2012. Plant Nutrition in a Changing Environ. German Soc. for Plant Nutrition. 200 atten. USDA Grant Review SCRI CAP Project Panel, Washington DC. Chabrillat, S. et al. 2012. Quantitative mapping of surface soil moisture with hyperspectral imagery using the HYSOMA interface. IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium. Munich, Germany. Deb S. et al. 2012. A peak at the other half of your orchard: The roots. 46th Annual Western Pecan Growers Assn. Conf. Las Cruces NM. Graves, P. et al. 2012. Comparing N treatment effects on pecan seedling root growth. 91st Texas Pecan Growers Assn. Annual Conference. San Marcos TX. 500 atten. Hannah H. et al. 2012. Growth and photosynthesis of young pecan seedlings in response to different N fertilization rates. 91st Texas Pecan Growers Assn. Annual Conference. San Marcos TX. 500 atten. Othman, Y. et al. 2012. Detecting physiological water stress in southern New Mexico orchards using remote sensing. Program of the Annual conf. of the ASHS. Sanden, B. 2012. "Irrigation Management to Maximize Almond Production in the SJV", Organic Almond Farming Workshop, Selma CA. 64 atten. Sanden, B. 2012. Kern almond meeting, irrigation management and workshop. Kern Soil and Water Newsletter. Sanden, B. et al. 2012. Almond Workgroup Tour, Kern County. Sanden, B. et al. 2012. CA's Effort to Improve Almond Orchard Kc. European Geosciences Union Gen. Assembly. Vienna, Austria. Schellenberg D. et al. 2012. Gross N transformations and 15N assimilation after arid land fertilization at the tree scale. ESA. Portland OR. Shackel K., Sanden B. 2011. Fertigation: Interaction of Water and Nutrient Management in Almonds. AB of CA. annual report #09-HORT11. Ustin,S. 2012. NASA Student Airborne Research Program (SARP). 27 students. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
In California, completed development of publicly available website for communicating the research objectives and progress http://ucanr.org/sites/scri/, as well as, database of all data collections promoted collaborative exchange among investigators through a non-public website at UCD. Prototype webpage added for weather tools for irrigation schedule linked to State weather station network and ACASA-WRF modeling, with Landsat phenology-landcover ETo improvement. MASTER imagery analyses for detectable vineyard canopy water content change between morning and afternoon inconclusive, though accurately determined LAI and airborne imagery. As a logical continuation of the project and because of the urge to understand the nitrate recharge causes in California Ground Water, and to find a potential remediation, the following proposals have been funded. Smart, D.R. (PI) Brown, P.H. (PI) Harter, T (PI) Hopmans, J. (PI) Sanden, B (coop), Fulton, A. (coop) Alsina, MM (coop). Project Title: Optimizing the Use of Groundwater Nitrogen for Nut Crops. (2013-2015). Funded by CDFA Fertilizer Research & Education Program (~400,000). Non-state funds: California Pistachio Research Board (80,000), California Almond Board (50,000). D.R. Smart/Blake Sanden, "N-loss During High Frequency Low Nitrogen Fertigation", addresses soil NO3-absorption by tree crops from dilute N solutions and N-loss (Almond Board of California, $40,000, 2013). The experimental results of these recently funded projects are expected to set the basis for the development of guidelines to meet pending legislative requirements to control nitrate ground water pollution in California.

Publications

  • Alsina, M.M., A.C Borges, and D.R. Smart. 2012. Spatiotemporal variation of event related N2O and CH4 emissions during fertigation in a California almond orchard. Ecosphere (in press).
  • Deb, S. K, M. K. Shukla, and J. G. Mexal 2011. Numerical modeling of water fluxes in the root zone of a mature pecan orchard. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 75 (5), 1667-1680.
  • Deb, S. K., M. K. Shukla, P. Sharma, and J. G. Mexal 2011. Soil water depletion in irrigated mature pecans under contrasting soil textures for arid southern New Mexico. Irrig. Sci. DOI: 10.1007/s00271-011-0293-1.
  • Deb, S. K., M. K. Shukla, and J. G. Mexal 2012. Simulating deep percolation in flood-irrigated mature orchards with RZWQM2. Trans. ASABE. (In Press).
  • Deb, S. K., M. K. Shukla, and J. G. Mexal. 2012. Estimating midday leaf and stem water potentials of mature pecan trees from soil water content and climatic parameters. Hort. Sci. 47(7):907-916.
  • Engles, S., M. Funk, T. Sammis. 2012. Creating a Workflow Based Application to Process Geophysical Data for the Individual Researcher Journal of Scientific Programming (submitted).
  • Falk, M., R.D. Pyles, S. L. Ustin, B.L. Sanden and P.H. Brown. 2012 Long-term Estimates of Crop Evapotranspiration using the ACASA model at an irrigated Almond Orchard. Journal of Hydrometeorology (submitted).
  • Falk, M., R.D. Pyles, S.L.Ustin, K.T. Paw U, R.L. Snyder, L.Xu, Q. Hart, M.L. Whiting, and P.H. Brown. 2012 Regional water use over irrigated orchards with WRF-ACASA. Journal of Hydrometeorology (submitted).
  • Sammis, T. W., M. K. Shukla, J. G. Mexal, J. Wang and D. R. Miller. 2012 Pecan Research and Outreach in New Mexico: Logic Model Development and Change in Communication Paradigms. Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement (in press).
  • Sammis, Ted, Vince Gutschick, Junming Wang and David R. Miller 2012. Model of water and nitrogen management in pecan trees under normal and resource-limited conditions. Submitted to Agricultural Water Management.
  • Sammis. T. W, D. DuBois, S. Engle, J. Wang and D. R. Miller 2012. Use of Forecast data in irrigation scheduling models. Submitted to Agricultural water management.
  • Sanden, B, P.H. Brown, R. Snyder. 2012. New insights on water management in almonds. "Regulatory Issues Impacting California Agriculture" Visalia, California 7-8 Feb, 2012 Proceedings: Amer. Soc. Agron. Calif. Chap. pp. 88-93. Univ. Calf. Davis, http://calasa.ucdavis.edu
  • Schellenberg D.L., M.M. Alsina, S. Muhammad, C.M. Stockert, M.W. Wolff, B.L. Sanden, P.H. Brown and D.R. Smart. 2012. Yield-scaled global warming potential from N2O emissions and CH4 oxidation for almond irrigated with N fertilizers on arid land. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 155: 7-15.
  • Shackel K.A., T.L. Prichard, L.J. Schwankl. 2012. Irrigation scheduling and tree stress. In: Prune production manual, University of California, ANR publication no.3507.
  • Zarate-Valdez, J.L., M.L. Whiting, B.D. Lampinen, S. Metcalf, S.L. Ustin, and P.H. Brown. 2012. Leaf area and Landsat vegetation indexes of fruit crops in California. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture (in press)


Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Activities: In California, field data collected 2010-2011 from four almond (Set A) and four pistachio (Set B) orchards. Samples from one extensive fertigation experiment (Set C), consisting of 24 treatments in 5-6 replicates, with various N and K rates and sources and two irrigation systems, with individual tree yield. Between 30 and 114 trees in Sets A and B, and 768 trees in Set C leaf samples collected monthly for five months. All samples analyzed for 11 major plant nutrients. Total nutrient content of above ground portions were determined by sequential nut and leaf analysis and whole season crop load. Stem water potential measured monthly in same trees at Set A and weekly at Set C. In Set C, evapotranspiration (two methods), crop water use coefficients and soil-water relations determined. Laboratory leaf spectral analysis builds upon relationship to chlorophyll, N and C contents. Laboratory visible and near infrared spectral signatures and N isotope ratio mass spectrometry of leaves from Sets A and B, and from deficit irrigation experiment almond orchard in Firebaugh, CA, add to N spectroscopic model. Autosampler for N2O and CH4 determined event-related and bimonthly gas emissions from Set C. For both Set C irrigation systems, N2O emissions spatially modeled improved nutrient budget estimates. Fraction of photosynthetically active radiation (fPAR) mapped using mobile platform correlated to field-level and remotely-sensed Leaf Area Index (LAI). Ground data collected to share MASTER imagery from NASA project covering 11 blocks surrounding intense study at Set C. Based on 2009 almond data in California, added potassium stress function improved SATET evapotranspiration (ET) model daily estimates from satellite data to match ET data from micrometeorological approach (eddy covariance). At the regional scale, NCAR's Weather Research Forecasting (WRF) model modified to daily ET and CO2 flux estimates at km scale, and added 3rd order turbulence model ACASA to scale fluxes to 100 m resolution. WRF model improved using USGS high spatial resolution land cover map, improved meteorology, and evaluated nested response variables. Dissemination events: see Target Audiences below. PARTICIPANTS: As this project is intimately cooperative with several closely related grants the total activity involves an extensive number of participants have been involved including 6 faculty members, 13 Doctoral students, 1 Master, 2 undergraduate, 3 visiting scholars from Spain and Mexico, 2 Post Doctoral scholars, 3 UC Extension Specialists, 10 technical staff, and 8 USDA-ARS researchers, 27 NASA students and staff. Patrick Brown, Faculty Member: oversight of overall project. S.Saa Silva, PhD student (PhDS): sampling almond. S. Muhammad, PhDS: fertilizer response of almond. I. Siddiqui, PhDS: sampling pistachio. J. Nunes, MS: assisted sampling. A. Olivos, (PhDS): Installed electrical conductivity sensors. Bruce Lampinen, Faculty Member: mobile platform measurements; plot harvests. S. Metcalf, Tech Staff (TechS): field support for platform and harvests. M. Contador and Y. Bordes, TechS: assisted in field sampling. David R. Smart, Faculty Member: monitoring nitrogen loss from orchards and vineyards; spatial models for nitrous oxide emissions. M. Alsina, Post Doc: ground verification of spatial and temporal models of nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide emissions, and directed experiments in quantifying below ground processes. D. Schellenberg, PhDS: gas sampling in almond, took and processed gas samples from orchards. C. Stockert, TechS: maintenance of gas measurement laboratory facilities; sample processing. Susan Ustin, Faculty Member: development of higher resolution remotely sensed ET model, NCAR-WRF-ACASA. L. Lin, PhDS: programmer. G. Scheer, TechS: computer system administrator. Mike Whiting, Research Scientist: ground reference measurements for Remote Sensing / GIS analysis. J. Zarate-Valdez (Sabbatical Professor, Mexico)correlated ground light measurements to MASTER imagery. S. Hogan, PhDS: GIS and database development. R. Cariadi-Kimble, TechS: database development. J. Martin, Master Student, S. Tran, Undergrad, M. Cohodes, Undergrad, and A. Ito and F. Sanchez (Spanish visiting doctoral scholars): Field and lab assistance. A. Koltunov, PostDoc; M. Lay, TechS: field and lab assistance. One USDA-ARS and two NASA funded projects collaborated in field data collections included 8 USDA-ARS researchers (T. Jackson, Beltsville) and 27 students and staff of the NASA Student Airborne Research Program: field and lab assistance, and imagery acquisitions. TARGET AUDIENCES: Brown PH, USDA SCRI Annual Meeting Davis, January 20-22, 2011, 25 Attendees; Pistachio Day Visalia, January, 13 2011, 400 attendees; Brown PH - Fluid Forum, Scottsdale Az, Feb 18-22. 400 Attendees; Brown PH - Pomology Extension Conference, Davis, March 28-29, 55 attendees; Brown PH, and all Co-I's-SCRI Project Field Day, June 16th, Belridge, Ca 500 attendees; Brown PH- InfoAg, Springfield Il, July 10-13, 1200 attendees; Brown PH- Lab analysis Workshop, Lodi Nov 8th, 32 attendees; Fertilizer Research Extension (FREP) Workshop, Lodi Ca, Nov 9th, 250 attendees; Brown PH- FREP Workshop Paso Robles Ca, Nov 30th, 140 Attendees; Almond Board of California Annual Conference, Modesto, Ca, Nov 7th, 2700 Attendees. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Annual budgets for nitrogen and all essential plant nutrients in Almond and Pistachio have been established and validated. New leaf sampling protocols to allow for early season nutrient status prediction have been developed and tested and initial implementation is underway. Collectively these two approaches have been used to establish new nutrient management strategies that reduce nutrient losses to the environment In California, publicly available website for communicating the research objectives and progress at http://ucanr.org/sites/scri/ focuses on each investigator's work, while showing exchange and collaboration among the investigators. Database of all data collections, analysis, and products available to all project investigators through a non-public website at UCD. The RESET remote sensing model has been published online, and provides email output to users. Researchers in California have tested the model against Almond data and have helped improve the operation and user interface of the model. The email currently provides a link to a KML file which can be opened in the Google earth viewer. The KML 1km grid overlay for Google earth consists of different colors representing the calculated ET for each day requested for a 10km area around the point of interest and a second KML file that covers the whole MODIS satellite scene. Also another KML Google earth overlay shows the location of the hot and cold spots used in the calculations of ET which helps the user determine the best search distance for a hot and cold spot.

Publications

  • Brown, P.H., et al. 2010. Advanced sensing and management technologies to optimize resource use in perennial crops: nutrient and water status. POSTER: Amer. Soc. Horticult. Sci., Annual Meeting, Aug. 2-5, 2010, Desert Hot Springs, CA. Sanden, B. (2010) Agricultural uses of fluidized gas digestion Agricultural Uses of Fluidized Gas Digestion Gypsum / Use of gypsum to improve infiltration in California agriculture and to enhance almond production. Nov. 17-19, 2010, Indianapolis, IN.
 Sanden, B. (2010) Changing water demands of almonds. In CA Irrigation Institute 48th Annual Conference--California's Water Supply Running on Empty: Thinking outside the Tank. Feb. 1-2, 2010, Sacramento, CA. Schellenberg DL, MM Alsina, S Muhammad, CM Stockert, MW Wolff, BL Sanden, PH Brown and DR Smart Yield-scaled global warming potential from N2O Emissions and CH4 Oxidation for almond (Prunus dulcis) irrigated with nitrogen fertilizers on arid land. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment (Submitted) Schellenberg DL, MM Alsina, S Muhammad, JM Jenkins, CA Almanza, CM Stockert, BL Sanden, PH Brown and DR Smart (2011) Nitrous Oxide and Productivity Index for California Almond. ASA CSSA SSSA Abstracts, San Antonio, TX. Schellenberg DL, MM Alsina, CM Stockert and DR Smart (2010) Seasonal Variability of N2O Emissions from Two Nitrogen Sources in a California Almond Orchard. ASA CSSA SSSA Abstracts, Long Beach, CA. Shackel KA. 2011. A Plant-based Approach to Deficit Irrigation in Trees and Vines. Hort.Sci. 46:173-177. Smart, DR, M del Mar Alsina, MW Wolff, MG Matiasek, DS Schellenberg, JP Edstrom, PH Brown and KM Scow (2011) N2O emissions and water management in California perennial crops. In G. Luo (Ed.) Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions, American Chemical Society, Baltimore MD USA. Valdez Zarate, J, ML Whiting, B Lampinen, SL Ustin, and PH Brown (2011) Prediction of leaf area index in almonds by vegetation indexes. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture (in review).


Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Activities: In California, field data collected 2009-2010 from four almond (Set A) and four pistachio (Set B) orchards. Samples from one extensive fertigation experiment (Set C), consisting of 24 treatments in 5-6 replicates, with various N and K rates and sources and two irrigation systems, with individual tree yield. Between 30 and 114 trees in Sets A and B, and 768 trees in Set C leaf samples collected monthly for five months. All samples analyzed for 11 major plant nutrients. Stem water potential measured monthly in same trees at Set A and weekly at Set C. In Set C, evapotranspiration (two methods), crop water use coefficients and soil-water relations determined. Laboratory leaf spectral analysis builds upon relationship to chlorophyll, N and C contents. Laboratory visible and near infrared spectral signatures and N isotope ratio mass spectrometry of leaves from Sets A and B, and from deficit irrigation experiment almond orchard in Firebaugh, CA, add to N spectroscopic model. Autosampler for N2O and CH4 determined event-related and bimonthly gas emissions from Set C. Parallel experiments conducted in no-till and conventionally tilled grapes. For both Set C irrigation systems, N2O emissions spatially modeled improved nutrient budget estimates. Fraction of photosynthetically active radiation (fPAR) mapped using mobile platform correlated to field-level and remotely-sensed Leaf Area Index (LAI). Ground data collected to share MASTER imagery from NASA project covering 11 blocks surrounding intense study at Set C. A mechanistic N transport model for Pecan developed in New Mexico predicted yield for Oklahoma and Texas experiments from the literature. Based on 2009 almond data in California, added potassium stress function improved SATET evapotranspiration (ET) model daily estimates from satellite data to match ET data from micrometeorological approach (eddy covariance). At the regional scale, NCAR's Weather Research Forecasting (WRF) model modified to daily ET and CO2 flux estimates at km scale, and added 3rd order turbulence model ACASA to scale fluxes to 100 m resolution. WRF model improved using USGS high spatial resolution land cover map, improved meteorology, and evaluated nested response variables. The results of these physical models will be compared to the empirical SATET model outputs and field data in developing next generation of automated flux models. Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) sensors field calibration completed for temporal variation of pecan water stress on two sites at New Mexico rhizotron observation tubes and atmospheric towers. In Texas, five N application rates were applied May, June on 40 trees with half of the treated trees enriched (5%) with 15N, with leaf and root samples, net CO2 assimilation, other plant metrics collected every 2-3 weeks May to November. PARTICIPANTS: Besides the PI and co-PIs, training opportunities and collaborative researchers included 13 Doctoral students, 1 Master, 2 undergraduate, 3 visiting scholars from Spain and Mexico, 2 Post Doctoral scholars, 3 UC Extension Specialists, 10 technical staff, and 8 USDA-ARS researchers, 27 NASA students and staff. Patrick Brown, PI/PD: oversight and guidance of overall project. Sebastian Saa Silva, PhD student (PhDS): sampling strategies in almond, took and processed leaf samples. Saiful Muhammad, PhDS: fertilizer response of almond, took and processed leaf samples. Ismail Siddiqui, PhDS: sampling strategies in pistachio, took and processed leaf samples. Jeremy Nunes, PhDS: assisted in taking and processing samples. Andres Olivos, (PhDS): Installed electrical conductivity and solute flow sensors. Bruce Lampinen, coPI: mobile platform measurements; plot harvests and data processing. David Slaughter, co-PI: ground-based hyperspectral measurements. Carolyn (Yun) Zhang, PhDS: optical data; plant analysis; data processing; model development. Kameron Chun, TechS: leaf chlorophyll extraction and determination Michelle De Mesa, PhDS: sample processing and data entry. Ken Shackel (PI): water relations and irrigation information William Stewart, TechS: Field measurements and data entry Andres Olivos, PhDS: Field measurements and data entry.Blake Sanden, and two other UC Extension Specialists: conduct fertigation studies at Set C and directs stem water potential measurements. Theodore Sammis, co-PI: development and evaluation of SATET remote sensing model of ET. Manoj Shukla: oversaw and provided guidance for instrumentation, soil sampling in pecan. Parmodh Sharma, PhDS, Sanjit Deb, PhDS: field installation, sample collection, analysis and data download. Sheny Leon, PhDS: collected soil samples analyzed in the lab. David R. Smart, co-PI: monitoring nitrogen loss from orchards and vineyards; spatial models for nitrous oxide emissions. Maria del Mar Alsina, Post Doc: ground verification of spatial and temporal models of nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide emissions, and directed experiments in quantifying below ground processes. Daniel Schellenberg, PhDS: gas sampling in almond, took and processed gas samples from orchards. Christine Stockert, TechS: maintenance of gas measurement laboratory facilities; sample processing. Susan Ustin, co-PI: development of higher resolution remotely sensed ET model, NCAR-WRF-ACASA. Liyi Lin, PhDS: programmer. George Scheer, TechS: computer system administrator. Mike Whiting, co-PI: ground reference measurements for Remote Sensing / GIS analysis. Jose Zarate-Valdez (Sabbatical Professor, Universidad Autonoma Chapingo, Sonora, Mexico) researched correlating ground light measurements to LAI and MASTER imagery. Sean Hogan, PhDS: GIS and database development. Roxane Cariadi-Kimble, TechS: database development. Jenna Martin, Master Student, Sinzee Tran, Undergrad, Mitchell Cohodes, Undergrad, and Andres Ito and Francisco Sanchez (Spanish visiting doctoral scholars): Field and lab assistance. TARGET AUDIENCES: Brown industry and society lectures on orchard management including: Brown, P.H., Growers Breakfast Speaker, Blue Diamond Almond Growers, Jan 2009 500 attendees. Brown, P.H., Fluid Fertilizer Foundation, Scottsdale, Feb 14-16, 2009 500 attendees. Brown, P.H., Tri Valley Almond Day, June 17, 2009 500 attendees. Brown, P.H., Int Soc, Plant, Soil Analysis, Santa Rosa, July 29-31. 200 attendees. Brown, P.H., International Plant Nutrition Colloquium, Sacramento, Aug 25-30. 400 attendees Brown, P.H., Invited Lecturer, Univ Adelaide, Monash Univ, Australian Almond Board, Various Locations, Australia September 28-Oct 3, 2009. Brown, P.H., Mosaic International Ag 'College', Florida Jan 10-14, 2010 100 attendees Brown, P.H., Calif Agronomy Society, Visalia, Feb 2, 2010. 500 attendees. Brown, P.H., International Fertilizer Association and New Ag Conference, Miami March 23-26th, 2010. 800 attendees. Brown, P.H., Precision Agriculture for California, July 19, 2010 100 attendees. Deb S.K., M.K. Shukla, and J.G. Mexal. (2010) Water fluxes in the unsaturated zone of a mature pecan orchard in arid southern New Mexico. The 2010 New Mexico Water Research Symposium: Resource Interdependence, August 03, 2010, Macey Center, New Mexico Tech, Socorro, New Mexico. Lombardini, L., "Green Acres, Blue Skies II" workshop in Davis in Jun 2009, at the Western Pecan Growers Association Meeting, Las Cruces, NM in Mar 2009 and at the Texas Pecan Short Course in Feb 2009, at the Annual Meeting of the Texas Pecan Growers Association in San Marcos, TX in July 2010. Sanden, B. (2010) Kern Irrigation Workshop: Irrigation scheduling in permanent crops- process, planning, programs and pressure bomb / Irrigation scheduling essentials. Apr. 8, 2010, Bakersfield, CA, 54 attendees. Sanden, B. (2010) Annual Meeting Almond Board of CA / Almond irrigation world roundup and almond water use. Dec. 9-10, 2010, Modesto CA, 300 attendees. Sanden, B. (2010) 2010 North San Joaquin Valley Almond Day / Irrigation 101: When, how much and how often should I irrigate Jan. 28, 2010, Modesto, CA, 210 attendees. Sanden, B. (2010) 2010 World Ag Expo / Irrigation management in a water short year. Feb. 10, 2010, Tulare, CA. 40 attendees. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The RESET remote sensing model has been published online, and provides email output to users. Researchers in California have tested the model against Almond data and have help improved the operation and user interface of the model. The email currently provides a link to a KML file which can be opened in the Google earth viewer. The KML 1km grid overlay for Google earth consists of different colors representing the calculated ET for each day requested for a 10km area around the point of interest and a second KML file that covers the whole MODIS satellite scene. Also another KML Google earth overlay shows the location of the hot and cold spots used in the calculations of ET which helps the user determine the best search distance for a hot and cold spot. In California, publicly available website for communicating the research objectives and progress at http://ucanr.org/sites/scri/ focuses on each investigator's work, while showing exchange and collaboration among the investigators. Database of all data collections, analysis, and products available to all project investigators through a non-public website at UCD. Adopted standardized naming conventions for files and data elements, and legacy data now converted to meet standards.

Publications

  • Alsina, M. Mar, D.R. Smart, T. Bauerle, F. de Herralde, C. Biel, C. Stockert, C. Negron and R. Save (2010). Seasonal changes of whole root system conductance by a drought tolerant grape root system. Journal of Experimental Botany (online publication September 17, 2010).
  • Browde, J., E. Carlisle and D.R. Smart (2010). Vineyard carbon footprints and management practices. California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, Wine Institute of California. http://www.sustainablewinegrowing.org/publications.php, 53 pp.
  • Carlisle, E., D. R. Smart, L. Williams and M. Summers (2010). California Vineyard Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Assessment of the Available Literature and Determination of Research Needs. California Department of Food and Agriculture, California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, Wine Institute of California, California Association of Winegrape Growers, 48 pp.
  • Deb S.K., and M.K. Shukla. (2010) Numerical modeling of water vapor fluxes in the unsaturated zone of mature pecan orchards in arid southern New Mexico. The 2010 International Annual Meetings, ASA, CSSA and SSSA, Oct 31-Nov 04, 2010, Long Beach, CA.
  • Deb, S.K., and M.K. Shukla. (2010). Numerical modeling of water fluxes in the root zone of irrigated mature pecan field. The 2010 AGU Fall Meeting, 13-17 December, San Francisco, California.
  • Deb, S.K., M.K. Shukla, and J.G. Mexal. (2010) Soil moisture depletion patterns for some irrigated pecans. Technical Presentation, the 2010 New Mexico Section ASABE Meeting, April 23, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico.
  • Hung V. Dang and T. W. Sammis and M. A. Funk and S. C. Tran. (2010) Reference Evapotranspiration Tool Box. Presented at WRRI 2010 New Mexico Water Research Symposium NMTech Socorro Aug. 03.
  • Junming Wang, Ted W. Sammis, David Miller, and Chandra Reddy. (2010) Automation of Remote Sensing Calculation of Evapotranspiration. 2nd International Conference on Environmental Management -ICEM2010, Oct 25-25, Hyderabad, India http://www.icem2010jntuh.org
  • Sanden, B. (2010) Agricultural uses of fluidized gas digestion Agricultural Uses of Fluidized Gas Digestion Gypsum / Use of gypsum to improve infiltration in California agriculture and to enhance almond production. Nov. 17-19, 2010, Indianapolis, IN.
  • Sanden, B. (2010) Changing water demands of almonds. In CA Irrigation Institute 48th Annual Conference--California's Water Supply Running on Empty: Thinking outside the Tank. Feb. 1-2, 2010, Sacramento, CA.
  • Steenwerth K. L., D. L. Pierce, R. G. Spencer, E. A. Carlisle and D. R. Smart (2010). Disturbance and precipitation effects on soil respiration under Mediterranean conditions. Soil Science Society of America Journal 74:231-239.
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