Biochar, a charcoal-like material prepared from crop and forest residue, can have a big impact on soil health for large- and small-scale farms in New Mexico.
While research on how to effectively produce biochar for commercial purposes is still ongoing, growers can learn more about biochar and how it impacts soil health at this year's field day at the New Mexico State University Agricultural Science Center in Clovis. Researchers will also present information on other soil science projects, as well as dairy industry updates and hay production. The field day will begin at 8 a.m. Aug. 6 at the center, which is located 13 miles north of Clovis on Highway 288.
NMSU was recently awarded $1.2 million for a collaborative research project with Auburn University and the University of Delaware by the National Science Foundation's $56 million investment in climate change research. As part of the project, NMSU cropping system agronomist Rajan Ghimire and his team will measure different soil properties to determine soil carbon storage, soil biology and nutrient cycling in response to biochar and/or compost application.
NMSU is also part of a $1 million United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture project testing the efficacy of a dual-function biochar -- or duo-biochar – that captures excess phosphorus in soils and releases it slowly to meet plant needs. The purpose of this project is to absorb excess phosphorus coming from animal manure and composts to biochar, and protect too much phosphorus runoff from increasingly expensive synthetic fertilizers.
"We just started the field research this year, and we're learning a lot of things," Ghimire said. "We don't know the economics of biochar application in New Mexico farms, but interested farmers can make it on their own."
Farmers in southern and central New Mexico can use pecan shells to create biochar, while farmers in northern New Mexico may be able to create biochar using forest byproducts.
"This will make a valuable soil amendment to help sustain agriculture in our state and support the environment," Ghimire said.
Other research presentations during the field day include
Grass buffer strips and soil carbon: Sangu Angadi, NMSU crop physiologist, and Sundar Sapkota, NMSU postdoctoral researcher.
Soil water infiltration and tillage effects on soil organic matter: Prakriti Bista, NMSU research scientist, and NMSU graduate students Hamza Badrari and Sangam Panta.
Update on the dairy industry: Robert Hagevoort, NMSU Extension dairy specialist.
Weed management in corn: Abdel Mesbah, NMSU Agricultural Science Center at Clovis research director
Cover crops and compost effects on soil health and greenhouse gas emissions: Ghimire and NMSU graduate students Dotun Arije and Olufemi Abebaya.
Soil health and water measurement in plots facing irrigation retirement: NMSU postdoctoral reearcher Atinderpal Singh and graduate student Barsha Sharma.
Biochar amendment for regenerative soil management: Ghimire and NMSU postdoctoral researcher Juan Frene and graduate student Piumi Yaddaehi.
Bermudagrass-alfalfa mixture for quality hay production: Mark Marsalis, NMSU forage specialist, and Pramod Acharya, NMSU postdoctoral researcher.
Jay Lillywhite, NMSU College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences associate dean and director of the NMSU Agricultural Experiment Station, will welcome attendees before trolley tours of the center's research plots begin at 9 a.m.
"The purpose of this free event is to bring producers and researchers together to visit and interact with each other and share ideas and opinions about different cultural practices," Mesbah said. "This is the perfect opportunity for producers to ask questions and get answers in a one-on-one setting."
Lunch will be provided by Leal's Restaurant. Individuals and small groups interested in touring specific trials or plots may do so following lunch.
For more information, call 575-985-2292 or email
The full article can be seen at https://newsroom.nmsu.edu/news/biochar--soil-research-focus-of-field-day-at-nmsu-s-clovis-science-center/s/7e4f3e98-97a6-4579-aa76-bd1f099a382e
