Title: Nitrogen Efficiency Using Controlled-Release Sources and Cover Crops in Drip Irrigated Tomato Cropping Sequence Under Plastic Mulch and Two Bed Geometries.

Contract #: 27163 

Duration: August 2019 to January 2024.

Funding: $502,454 provided by Dr. Rao Mylavarapu and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services- the Office of Agricultural Water Policy.

Objective: This project focused on improving nitrogen use efficiency in tomato production through CRFs, combined with cover crops and variations in bed geometry, to optimize yields while minimizing environmental impact.

Key Activities:

• Conducted field trials comparing CRFs (CRU-60 and CRU-75) with conventional urea across multiple growing seasons.

• Studied bed geometry impacts (compact vs. conventional) on crop yields (Shraddha Sharma and Shahd Alrabia master projects), nitrogen use efficiency, and residual nitrogen recovery.

• Investigated nitrogen leaching patterns and cover crop integration for nutrient recovery between cropping seasons.

Outcomes:

• CRFs demonstrated consistent nitrogen release patterns, synchronized with crop needs, reducing application frequency and environmental losses.

• Achieved comparable or improved yields with CRFs at reduced nitrogen application rates, supporting best management practices for nitrogen management.

• Compact bed geometries showed promise for higher nitrogen use efficiency in certain seasons, highlighting their potential for resource optimization.

• Cover crops effectively scavenged residual nitrogen, reducing leaching risks and contributing to sustainable nutrient cycling.

Title: Integrating Cover Crops as a Best Management Practice (BMP) for Improving Soil Health in Commercial Crop Production in Florida.

Contract #: 28214 

Duration: Execution through December 15, 2023.

Funding: $285,882 provided by Dr. Rao Mylavarapu and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services- the Office of Agricultural Water Policy.

Objective: This project aimed to enhance soil health by integrating cover crops into commercial cropping systems, targeting improvements in soil organic matter, microbial activity, and water retention, while reducing nitrogen leaching and phosphorus runoff.

Key Activities:

• Evaluated cover crop species such as sunn hemp, sorghum-sudan, and winter rye.

• Conducted soil and plant nutrient analyses to monitor the impacts of cover crops on soil health (Dr. Jango Bhadha).

• Demonstrated the role of microbial activity (Dr. Andy Ogram), enzyme presence (Dr. Gabriel Maltais-Landry), physcial soil characteristics (Drs. Laura Jalpa and Rao Mylavarapu), and nutrient cycling in enhancing soil fertility.

• Implemented trials at both research and commercial farm locations across North and South Florida.

Outcomes:

• Cover crops improved key soil health indicators, including increased soil protein, active carbon, and microbial diversity.

• Enhanced nutrient cycling and reduced nutrient losses, with significant recovery of nitrogen and phosphorus in soil and plant systems.