Farmers can use an easy, on-farm test to figure how much nitrogen their crops need, saving money on fields that already have plenty of the nutrient and boosting production on fields that don’t. Warning: Special equipment you’ll need includes a pair of scissors and a garlic press.
Doctoral student Valentina Roel is looking at ways to use food scraps and yard waste as alternatives to nitrogen fertilizer for crops. When processed, the leftovers and garden trimmings being diverted from state landfills might be effective substitutes, because they contain both nitrogen and carbon in forms that promote soil health.
They also provide a path for slowing climate change.
Plant biologist Eduardo Blumwald was named a 2023 Innovator of the Year for his team's discovery of a way to greatly reduce the amount of nitrogen fertilizer needed to grow cereal crops such as rice. He was among several people recognized by UC Davis this week for developing innovative solutions that improve the lives of others and address important global needs.
Rain in May, especially in the amounts we have seen this year, is far from ideal for rice growers. It makes establishing seedlings, nitrogen management, and weed control extra challenging. Here are three scenarios and some ideas on how to best manage nitrogen fertilizer.
Deciding the right amount of phosphorus to apply and how to apply is important, said Linquist, who is assistant Cooperative Extension specialist and faculty member in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of California, Davis.
