SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – The California Department of Food and Agriculture announced Feb. 19 it will award $1.69 million in grant funding for six projects aimed at improving irrigation and nitrogen management practices across the state.
The funding comes through CDFA’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program, known as FREP. The program supports research and outreach tied to environmentally safe and agronomically sound fertilizer use in California cropping systems. Since 1991, FREP has awarded $32 million to more than 280 projects.
The new grants focus on water quality, reducing nitrate leaching into groundwater and improving nitrogen efficiency in several crops.
At the University of California, Davis, Thomas Harter will lead a $299,629 project examining nitrate leaching in almond orchards. The research will monitor high frequency, low concentration fertilizer applications and evaluate Agricultural Managed Aquifer Recharge. Researchers will use field data to help calibrate tools used by the Central Valley Regional Water Board under the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program.
Christopher Shogren of UC Cooperative Extension in Los Angeles County will oversee a $300,969 study on nitrogen runoff and leaching in nursery production. The project will compare drip and overhead irrigation methods and controlled release versus water soluble fertilizers. The goal is to develop best management practices that protect water quality.
Paul Zerbe of Soil Health Lab LLC will direct a $301,589 effort focused on organic vegetable fields in the Salinas Valley. Researchers will gather soil and management data from 120 fields and develop decision tools to guide field level nitrogen management and input costs.
At the University of California, Riverside, Amir Verdi will lead a $301,222 project studying irrigation and nitrogen management for cantaloupe in Riverside and Imperial counties. The research will evaluate different soil types and use drone and satellite data to build yield prediction models and update fertilization guidelines.
Valerie Mellano of the San Diego Region Irrigated Lands Group will manage a $190,339 outreach project. The effort will bring together growers and regulatory staff to promote nutrient management practices aimed at meeting regional surface water quality goals.
Aliasghar Montazar of UC Cooperative Extension in San Diego, Riverside and Imperial counties will lead a $301,639 study on avocado production. The project will collect field data from 15 commercial sites to develop tools that improve water and nitrogen use efficiency while addressing salt buildup in soils.
CDFA officials said the long term goal of the projects is to improve nitrogen efficiency and reduce nitrate contamination in groundwater while supporting crop yield and profitability.