SUSTAINABLE CROP PRODUCTION IN ARID AGROECOSYSTEMS OF NEW MEXICO

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: NEW
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1010859
• Project No.: NMGROVER-16H
• Project Start Date: Dec 15, 2016
• Project End Date: Sep 30, 2021

Project Director
Grover, K.

Recipient Organization
NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY
1620 STANDLEY DR ACADEMIC RESH A RM 110
LAS CRUCES,NM 88003-1239

Performing Department
Plant and Environmental Sciences

Non Technical Summary
GOAL I. EVALUATING GUAR AS A POTENTIAL DROUGHT TOLERANT ALTERNATIVE CROP IN NEW MEXICO JUSTIFICATION:Declining water availability along with increased climatic variability such as droughts is threatening sustainability of agriculture and rural economy in the semi-arid New Mexico. Survival of the local agriculture and rural economy depends upon developing sustainable cropping systems. There is a need to identify resource efficient alternative crops to improve water and nutrient use efficiency under various input deficient ecosystems of the state, while ensuring the profitable economic returns, long-term sustainability, and system resiliency in this region.Guar or Clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) is a high value alternate crop that can be grown for fresh pods for vegetables, or for protein-rich high quality forage for animals or for seed to produce guar gum (Grover, 2012). Guar gum is obtained from guar seed endosperm and has been widely used in various food products and cosmetics due to its unique chemical properties including high viscosity.More recently, use of guar gum for 'fracking', where combination of horizontal well drilling and hydraulic fracturing have enabled extraction of previously un-retrievable hydrocarbons from shale formations, has revolutionized natural gas industry. This newly found use of guar gum in oil drilling has resulted in unprecedented increase in demand for guar gum by the US oil industry making the US the biggest user of the guar gum in the world. As the domestic production of guar is limited to few thousand acres in western Texas, 98% of the guar gum demand is met through imports mainly from India.Guar is mainly grown in desert environments of India and Pakistan, which is very similar to New Mexico growing conditions. It makes guar potentially suited to limited irrigated conditions of New Mexico. Increasing demand for guar from US oil companies has caused a significant jump in prices of guar seed and guar gum. For instance, within 2012, prices rose in the 900% to 1,000% range and a pound of guar gum fetched more than $10 while prices for the seed increased from $0.27/pound to $3.2/pound (Gupta & Sidhartha, 2013).Currently, there is no record of commercial production of guar in New Mexico. The high value of guar along with its suitability to dry environments could make guar a very attractive option for local growers. Successful adoption of guar as an alternate crop could help provide the much needed boost to local agriculture and, therefore, the overall economy in the state (Grover et al, 2013). Being a legume, guar helps in building soil fertility, and can also be a potential good rotation crop with non-legume crops common in the state. It could be rotated with legumes such as alfalfa by having a non-legume crop in between the legume years. The new demand for guar gum is drawing the attention of many farmers and entrepreneurs in the US including New Mexico. There are many enquiries from farmers about possibility of growing guar in New Mexico.PREVIOUS WORK AND PRESENT OUTLOOK OF GUAR RESEARCH:Preliminary results have shown that guar can be grown successfully in eastern and southern under New Mexico semi-arid conditions. However, there is need to research best management practices of guar including its planting time, optimum soil temperature needed for its germination and emergence along with planting spacing and population. This proposal is driven by the need of the local farmers who want to know when guar can be planted or at what soil temperature for seed and guar gum production; do we have enough degree days or heat units to mature a good crop for seed production in NM; does variety selection make any difference; what are the yield levels with very conservative inputs including irrigation levels. This research aims to generate region specific information on guar crop and water management.GOAL II. EVALUATE COVER CROPS FOR ARID AGROECOSYSTEMS OF NEW MEXICO Cover crops provide a cover for the soil and are often grown between cropping seasons regardless of whether their biomass is later incorporated. Cover crops can improve environmental sustainability and farm profitability for organic as well as conventional systems. This method adds diversity to the cropping systems and offers multiple benefits depending upon the objective and species selected (Snapp et al., 2005; Blaser et al., 2011). They are planted before and after the main cash crop in a rotation. Summer cover crops can be grown during the hot summer months when many vegetable producers fallow their fields in the desert southwest under irrigated conditions. Similarly, winter cover crops can fit well into existing cropping systems particularly when only summer annual crops are grown in the rotation. Cover crops are used as a green manure, ground cover or mulch, smother or a nurse crop.Different cover crops offer many benefits including increased soil fertility, suppressed pest populations, mitigated soil erosion, and reduced nutrient leaching. Most cover crops help build soil organic matter, which is critical for sustaining crop productivity. This is particularly important in the arid agroecosystems of the southwest because soils are naturally low in organic matter (e.g. Grover et al., 2011). Similarly most grass cover crops can help improve soil aggregation and reduce soil erosion. A winter crop can help reduce soil erosion (Laloy and Bielders, 2010), improve soil structure and aggregate stability which can then influence several other soil characteristics (Grover et al., 2009b). For instance 2-3 fold higher water stable aggregates were observed under corn rotated with winter small grains and perennials than under corn monoculture (Grover et al., 2009b).Legume crops, when included in the cropping systems add nitrogen to the soil and help reduce reliance on fertilizers (Grover et al., 2010). Guldan et al. (1997) found that relay intercropping of legumes cover crops such as hairy vetch and alfalfa could result in a fertilizer replacement value of 78 to 140 kg ha-1 N in northern New Mexico. Similarly, brassica cover crops with deep root system such as forage radishes can be very effective in alleviating soil compaction (Williams and Weil, 2004), which is one of the major issues with soils in southern New Mexico. Other cover crops such as rye or other grasses can help suppress weeds (Nord et al., 2011), and insect and diseases (Tillman et al., 2004). This could be particularly useful in organic production systems, where no synthetic pesticides are allowed.PREVIOUS WORK AND PRESENT OUTLOOK ON COVER CROPS:In spite of potential benefits of cover crops, there has not been much adoption of cover crops into the cropping systems in arid agroecosystems of New Mexico, which presents unique challenges as compared to other humid regions of the country. One potential concern is high water usage by certain cover crops such as winter rye during the winter. Growing this crop over the winter may lead to a dry soil profile which can lower yields of the following cash crop or increase its irrigation requirements (Bodner et al., 2007). There are several other cover crops that could successfully be grown with much less water usage. However, there is little information about suitable cover crops based on research conducted in in arid agroecosystems. This research will help evaluate and identify cover crops that would fit in local irrigated farming systems.

Animal Health Component

0%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

10%

Applied

80%

Developmental

10%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
111	0210	1070	35%
102	0199	1070	35%
203	0199	1020	30%

Knowledge Area
102 - Soil, Plant, Water, Nutrient Relationships; 111 - Conservation and Efficient Use of Water; 203 - Plant Biological Efficiency and Abiotic Stresses Affecting Plants;

Subject Of Investigation
0210 - Water resources; 0199 - Soil and land, general;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology; 1020 - Physiology;

Keywords

alternative crops

drought tolerant crops

guar

cover crops

Goals / Objectives
Goal I. Evaluating guar as a potential drought tolerant alternative crop in New MexicoSpecific objective: Evaluate drought tolerant crop, guar, for its adaptability in NM. Study growth, and seed yield and yield attributes of guar genotypes under various planting times and water regimes New Mexico.Goal II. Cover Crops for Sustainable Crop Production in Arid Agroecosystems of New Mexico Specific objective: Evaluate selected summer and fall planted cover crops for their adaptability including biomass production potential, water and nutrient use efficiency in NM.

Project Methods
METHODS FOR GUAR STUDY:Guar study will be established at New Mexico State University,, Las Cruces, NM. Selected guar genotypes will be evaluated for their performance under varying water stress levels under irrigated conditions.Treatments and other information:The irrigation treatments will include: 2 week interval under normal irrigation treatment after establishment to pod formation stage; 3 week-interval; 4-week interval and dryland (irrigation applied only for establishment of crop after which no irrigation applied)Site: Las Cruces, NMSpacing: 40 inches beds with two rows per bedMeasurements:Soil: soil moisture content at regular interval under different water stress treatmentsAgronomic parameters: Days to Emergence; Plant height; BiomassPhysiological parameters: Photosynthetic rate; stomatal conductance, Leaf area, Leaf Chlorophyll content; relative water content; leaf water potentialHarvest parameters: Harvest index; final seed yield and yield attributing characters including branches/plant; clusters/plant; pods/plant; seeds/pod; 100-seed weight; pod length and pod thickness.METHODS FOR COVER CROP STUDY:In the cover crop screening study, a set of summer and fall planted cover crops including legumes and grasses will be evaluated at Las Cruces, NM for their adaptability into the local cropping systems.Site: Las Cruces, NMSummer planted cover crop candidates: Sesbania, Cowpeas, lablab, sorghum sudan, pearlmilletFall planted cover crop candidates: winter Austrian peas; hairy vetch; forage radish; barley; wheat; rye.Soil measurements: Soil analysis at the beginning and end of the study for nutrient analysis; soil moisture under different cover crop treatmentsPlant measurements: Cover crop plant height; crop biomass production; plant tissue analysis including C: N ratio; nitrogen accumulation in biomass; and chlorophyll content; weed biomass.

Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20

Outputs
Target Audience:Research results were presented to researchers through scientific meetings; to producers and extension personnnel; and clientele through extension presentations; and to students through course curriculum and research projects. Changes/Problems:There was a pause for a short while in the research activities of the program due to the COVID pandemic. Efforts were invested to get the approval and research work was resumed in phases during the summer. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project provided opportunties to particiapte in several meetings and conferences which helped to learn about new research in the relevant topics and to develop professional relationship and colalborations with resaerchers from other institutes. Mentoring was provided to undergraduate and graduate student involved in guar production research. Students were engaged in planning and implementation of research project, collection, analysis and presentation of results. Efforts were also devoted for professional development and participated in four teaching related meetings and in 12 meetings related to research and extension. Served on the USDA NIFA Panel for Higher Education Challenge (HEC) Grants and another panel on NIFA WAMS program, Served on the 2020 NACTA Conference Planning Committee. Attended conferences: International Annual Meetings ASA-CSSA-SSSA", ASA-CSSA-SSSA Tri-society, Virtual (November 9, 2020 - November 13, 2020). Virtual 2020 Annual Meeting, Western Crop Science Society, July 7-8, 2020. NACTA 2020 Virtual Conference (June 16, 2020 - June 18, 2020). New Mexico Organic Farming Conference, Albuquerque, NM (February 21, 2020 - February 22, 2020). New Mexico Chile Conference", Las Cruces, NM (February 3-4, 2020). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results were disseminated through scientific meetings and worskhops including 18th International Congress of Soil Science.; American Society of Agronomy Annual Meeting; Western Crop Science Society; Annual meeting of Sustainable Bioeconomy for Arid Region project. Information was also presented through extenion events such as field demonstration and field tours of research plots. Developed extension materials for the website of SBAR project (Sustainable Bioeconomy for Arid Region) focusing on guar production. Contributed towards quarterly newsletters of the SBAR project for sharing information on guar management and production research in southern NM. Results were also integrated in classroom instruction and provided students with an opportunity learn and get involved in the research projects. Several presentations delivered and abstracts published at NACTA 2020 Virtual Conference. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue research and disseminate the results to clientele through appropriate medium.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? There was a pause for a short while in the research activities of the program due to the COVID pandemic. Efforts were invested to get the approval and research work was resumed in phases during the summer. Research focusing on guar breeding and production aspects including regional level yield testing of guar genotypes; response of guar genotypes to seeding densities, and response of guar genotypes to salinity levels of irrigation and the genetic level study of the salinity tolerance mechanism were conducted. Collaborations were developed and region specific information was generated that was included in research reports. Conference presentations were delivered and abstracts published. Participated in extension-outreach activities for promotion of guar in NM. Developed extension materials for the website of SBAR project (Sustainable Bioeconomy for Arid Region) focusing on guar production. Contributed towards quarterly newsletters of the SBAR project for sharing information on guar management and production research in southern NM. Presented information on guar trials through field event to growers and students. An invited virtual presentation was delivered in the plenary session of the 18th International Congress of Soil Science. Also invited to serve as associate editor for Agronomy Journal and Canadian Plant Science Journal. Also invited to serve on NIFA Grant review panels for the Higher Education Challenge (HEC) program as well as NIFA panel for the Women and Minorities in STEM (WAMS) program. Conference presentation abstracts published on teaching scholarship presented at the virtual 2020 NACTA conference. Developed collaborations for teaching curriculum and scholarship with colleagues from various institutes. Volunteered and actively participated in various community events within and outside the university to promote awareness and interest among general public about the discipline. Overall, program efforts have created awareness and interest among clientele in alternative crops. Domestic guar production has a potential to reduce reliance of US oil industry on billion dollars' worth of international guar imports.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Creegan, E., Grover, K., Dubois, D. W., Khan, N. (2020). Agriculture and Climate Change: A Cross-Global Project-Based Undergraduate Curriculum (1st ed., vol. 64). NACTA.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Jayachandran, K., Bhatt, M., Racelis, A., Soti, P., Grover, K. (2020). Broadening Agriculture Science Education for Hispanic Students through Florida  Texas  New Mexico Consortium (1st ed., vol. 64). NACTA.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Grover, K., Dura, S., Omer, M., Singh, P., Nourbakhsh, S. (2020). Enhancing Student Interest in Plants and Plant Sciences (1st ed., vol. 64). NACTA.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Grover, K., Stovall, S. M. (2020). Integrating experiential learning model in a crop production course (1st ed., vol. 64). NACTA.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Grover, K. (2020). Guar as a potential alternative crop in southwest USA. Proceedings of the 18th International Congress of Soil Science.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Grover, K. (2020). Growth and Performance of Guar Under Various Moisture Stress Regimes.. Proceedings of the 2020 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and the Soil Science Society of America.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Grover, K., Torres, S., Cazarez, K. (2020). Response of Guar to Various Seeding Rates. Proceedings of the 2020 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and the Soil Science Society of America.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Grover, K., Garcia, A., Schutte, B. J., Stringam, B., Darapuneni, M. K., VanLeeuwen, D., Flynn, R. P. (2020). Growth and Performance of Guar Under Various Moisture Stress Regimes. Western Crop Science Society.

Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19

Outputs
Target Audience:Research results were presented to researchers through scientific meetings; to producers and extension personnnel; and clientele through extension presentations; and to students through course curriculum and research projects. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project provided opportunties to particiapte in several meetings and conferences which helped to learn about new research in the relevant topics and to develop professional relationship and colalborations with resaerchers from other institutes. Undergraduate students were able to learn about research methods and get training in presentation of results at scientific and extension meetings. International Annual Meetings ASA-CSSA-SSSA Tri-society, San Antonio, TX, USA (November 10, 2019 - November 13, 2019). International Workshop on Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA (May 20, 2019 - May 25, 2019). New Mexico Chile Conference, Las Cruces, NM (February 2019). New Mexico Organic Farming Conference, Albuquerque, NM, USA (February 16, 2019 - February 17, 2019). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results were disseminated through scientific meetings and worskhops including American Society of Agronomy Annual Meeting; New Mexico Water Conference; NMSU Graduate Research & Arts Symposium; Annual meeting of Sustainable Bioeconomy for Arid Region project. Information was also presented through extenion events such as Sustainable Agriuclutre Field Day, Farmer field demonstration and field tours of research plots. Workshops on guar production were presented at NM State FFA meeting; NM Master Gardeners' Meeting and at a Train-the-Trainer workshop. Poster presentations and demonstration on guar were also presented to the general public at an open house organized by Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Science College of New Mexico State University. Results were also integrated in classroom instruction and provided students with an opportunity learn and get involved in the research projects. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue research and disseminate the results to clientele through appropriate medium.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Research focusing on evaluation of guar continued generating region specific information. Results were published/presented at scientific conferences and extension meetings. Dissemination of information generated through this program has helped create awareness and interest among the clientele about potential of guar as an alternative crop in New Mexico. Collaborations were developed with scientists at USDA-ARS to study response of guar genotypes to salinity. An exhibit was presented on guar research at the US Congress Agricultural Research Exhibit in Washington D.C as part of a NIFA-funded project Sustainable Bioeconomy for Arid Region. A study focusing on evaluation of fall-planted cover crops was also conducted and integrated into an undergraduate crop production course. An award-winning semester long experiential learning project based on Kolb's model was implemented where student teams were involved in planting, managing, observing, harvesting and evaluating more than 25 cover crop species. During the process, the students collected and synthesized data, and wrote reports based on their observations. Additional accomplishments included advising and graduating a MS student. Several undergraduate students were also mentored and provided opportunity to get involved in the research on guar and cover crops. A group of Hispanic students were trained in research methods, and provided opportunity to attend a week long International workshop at Florida International Univeristy in a collaborative project. Professional services were provided at the institute level and in professional socieities. Served on Western SARE advisory committee and assisted in planning of a conference and field day on Sustainable Agriculture in New Mexico; served as an Associate Editor for Canadian Journal of Plant Sciences; and served on a NIFA Grant Review Panel for the HEC Education program.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Grover, K., Garcia, A., Schutte, B. J., Stringam, B., Darapuneni, M. K., VanLeeuwen, D. (2019). Response of Guar to Various Irrigation Regimes. Proceedings of the 2019 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and the Soil Science Society of America.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Garcia, A., Grover, K. (2019). Evaluating guar genotypes under various irrigation regimes in southwestern New Mexico. Graduate Research and Arts Symposium, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Garcia, A., Grover, K. (2019). Growth and performance of guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) under various irrigation regimes in semi-arid region of New Mexico. New Mexico Water Conference, Las Cruces, NM.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Grover, K. (2019). Linking Classroom to the Real-World through Engaging Students with Producers and Extension Faculty. Teaching Note. NACTA Journal.

Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18

Outputs
Target Audience:Research results were presented to internaitonal, national and reginal scientific community throught research presentations; to producers and extension personnnel and clientele through extension presentations; and to students through course curriculum and research projects. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Attendance and participation in several regional and national conferences and collaborator meetings: - Annual International Meetings, American Society of Agronomy-Crop Science Society of America (November, 2018) - Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program Project Director's Meeting, Washington DC, (March 19, 2018 - March 21, 2018 - New Mexico Sustainable Agriculture Conference, Los Lunas, NM (December, 2018). - New Mexico Chile Pepper Conference, Las Cruces, NM (Feb., 2018). - New Mexico Organic Farming Conference, Albuquerque, NM (Feb., 2018). - Visit to USDA-ARS centers in AZ, CA for potential collaborations (November, 2018). - Water Initiative Symposium, Las Cruces, New Mexico, (August 13, 2018). - International Soil and Water Conservation Conference, Albuquerque, NM, (July 29, 2018 - August 1, 2018 - Annual URC Faculty Research and Creative Activities Fair, NMSU, Las Cruces, New Mexico, (April 4, 2018 - Artesia Agricultural Science Center Field Day, NMSU CES, Artesia, NM (August 28, 2018). - Clovis Agricultural Science Center Field Day", NMSU CES, Clovis, NM (August 9, 2018). - Tucumcari Agricultural Science Center Field Day", NMSU CES, Tucumcari, NM (August 8, 2018). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated through various channels including national and regional scientific meetings and worskhops including American Society of Agronomy Annual Meeting; International Soil and Water Conference; NM Sustainable Agriculture Conference; NM Water Symposium. Extension activities included community engagements, interaction with clientele and dissemination of relevant information through extension presentations; extension personnel meetings; clientele consultancy and mass media releases. Research plots on-station demonstration plots were established to showcase at Field Days. A workshop on guar production aspects was delivered at National Immigrant Farming Initiative, El Paso, TX. Coordinated several field meetings and presented information on guar production at Fabian Garcia Plant Science Center. Posters and presentations Presented Field Days at NMSU Clovis Agriculture Science Center, Artesia Agriculture Science Center and Lyendecker Plant Science Center. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue conduct research and disseminate results through scientific meetings and community events.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Research from this program has shown guar can be well adapted in New Mexico production systems and has generated information on important agronomic management aspects of guar cultivation in the region. Results were published and presented in professional forums. Significant efforts were invested in developing collaboration through a multi-institutional grant for research and extension in guar production. This program has evaluated and identified cover crops that would fit in local farming systems. Dissemination of research based region specific information on sustainable crop production systems is helping clientele understand and implement management practices to achieve their sustainability goals. Additional efforts included advising graduate and undergraduate students; 2 PhD students as external supervisor. Results were published and presented at regional and national scientific meetings. Collaborated and served on thesis committee of a graduate student project evaluating cover crops for reducing wind erosion in desert southwest. Funding was received and six undergraduate and one Master's students were also mentored HSI educational program. Professional services were provided through various platforms including serving as a reviewer for international research journals; serveing on Western SARE Advisory committee tasked with planning of New Mexico Sustainable Agriculture Conference, Sustainable Agriculture Field Day. Served on planning committee for a workshop on drought in Farmington, NM in collaboration with USDA SW Climate Hub.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Garcia, A., Grover, K., Schutte, B. J., Stringam, B., VanLeeuwen, D. (2018). Growth and Performance of Guar under Various Irrigation Regimes. Proceedings of the 2018 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and the Soil Science Society of America.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Garcia, A., Grover, K., Schutte, B. J., Stringam, B., VanLeeuwen, D. (2018). Growing Guar under Various Irrigation Regimes. Proceedings of the 63rd Annual New Mexico Water Conference.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Garcia, A., Grover, K., Schutte, B. J., Stringam, B., VanLeeuwen, D. (2018). Growth and Performance of Guar under Various Irrigation Regimes in semi-arid region of New Mexico. Proceedings, International Soil and Water Conservation Conference, July 29- August 1, 2018, Albuquerque, NM.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Garcia, A., Grover, K., Schutte, B. J., Stringam, B., VanLeeuwen, D. (2018). Evaluating Guar Genotypes under Various Irrigation Regimes in southwestern New Mexico. Proceedings, 72nd Annual Meeting of the Subtropical Agriculture and Environments Society, Monte Alto, TX.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Grover, K., Montgomery, R. (2018). Designing a Crop Rotation Experiment in a Sustainable Crop Production Course. Proceedings of the 2018 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and the Soil Science Society of America.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Sharma, P., Singh, A., Kahlon, C. S., Brar, A. S., Grover, K., Dia, M., Steiner, R. L. (2018). The Role of Cover Crops towards Sustainable Soil Health and AgricultureA Review Paper. Am J. Plant Sciences, 9, 1935-1951.

Progress 12/15/16 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience:Research results were presented to internaitonal, national and reginal scientific community throught research presentations;and to producers and extension personnnel and clientele through extension presentations. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Attendance and participation in several regional and national conferences and collaborator meetings: - New Mexico Sustainable Agriculture Conference, Los Lunas, NM (December, 2017). - New Mexico Chile Pepper Conference, Las Cruces, NM (Feb., 2017). - New Mexico Organic Farming Conference, Albuquerque, NM (Feb., 2017). - Visit to USDA-ARS centers in AZ, CA for potential collaborations (November-December, 2017). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated through regional conferences through various extension outlets including workshops, local and regional grower meetings, field days including The New Mexico Sustainable Agriculture Conference, Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (WSARE), Los Lunas, NM; Guar Planning Conference, , Lubbock, TX; Farmers' meeting, Anthony, NM; Graduate Research and Arts Symposium, NMSU, Las Cruces, NM; Hispanic Serving Institutions Principal Investigators Meeting. Need based consultancy was provided in collaboration with county agents or directly to clientele from within and out of the state of NM through personal meetings, phone and emails on various issues in sustainable crop production. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Declining water availability along with increased climatic variability such as droughts is threatening sustainability of agriculture and rural economy in the semi-arid New Mexico. Survival of the local agriculture and rural economy depends upon developing sustainable cropping systems. There is a need to identify resource efficient alternative crops to improve water and nutrient use efficiency under various input deficient ecosystems of the state, while ensuring the profitable economic returns, long-term sustainability, and system resiliency in this region. Guar research at NMSU has shown that guar can be successfully grown in New Mexico conditions and can help reduce reliance on imports (estimated US guar imports in 2012 $1 billion) to meet needs of the US gas and oil industry. Guar work at NMSU is helping growers with an alternative option, leading to an increased awareness and interest in domestic guar production with a potential to reduce reliance of US oil industry on billion dollars' worth of international guar imports. Cover crop research efforts have provided information on cover crop options that can be integrated in organic or conventional cropping systems by local growers to meet their sustainability goals. Growers in NM face several challenges including adoption of cover crops, crop rotations and alternative crops for limited water agriculture. The NMSU Sustainable Crop Production program participants indicated an improved knowledge that is helping them to make informed decisions about cover crops/crop rotations to meet their sustainability goals in conventional and organic systems. Students of Plant Sciences at NMSU need training in experiential learning, problem-solving skills and team work. Projects were introduced to improve these skills in crop production courses including Kolb's Model based Experiential Learning; Student Engagement with Growers and Extension Personnel; and team based collaborative learning. The student feedback indicated a positive impact of these projects through improved understanding of concepts; greater appreciation of real-world issues and role of extension faculty in solving them; and improved team work skills as indicated through high scores on student evaluations.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Garcia, A., Grover, K., Schutte, B. J., Stringam, B., VanLeeuwen, D. (2017). Guar Genotype Performance Under Varying Irrigation Regimes in Southern New Mexico.. Proceedings of the 2017 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and the Soil Science Society of America.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Grover, K. (2017). Linking Classroom to the Real World through Engaging Students with Farmers and Extension Faculty. Proceedings of the 2017 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and the Soil Science Society of America.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Garcia, A., Grover, K. (2017). Evaluation of Guar Genotypes in southern New Mexico. 2017 NMSU Graduate Research and Arts Symposium.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Garcia, A., Grover, K. (2017). Growth and performance of guar genotypes in southern New Mexico. USDA Hispanic Serving Institutions Principal Investigators Meeting.