Soil Fertility/Biology and Plant Nutrition

The soil fertility/biology and plant nutrition program at Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center deals with the development of best nutrient and soil management practices that improve the profitability and sustainability of pear and sweet cherry production in Oregon and the Northwest via increasing fruit yield, improving fruit quality and storability, enhancing fertilizer and water use efficiencies, and improving soil quality.

The effects of nitrogen (N) fertigation on fruit yield, quality, and storability of pear and sweet cherry and N use efficiency are being evaluated relative to broadcast application of dry N fertilizer to the soil surface. Another research focus is the assessment of drip irrigation on pear and sweet cherry production, soil nutrient availability, soil biota, and nutrient and pesticide leaching compared with micro sprinkler irrigation. Ground cover management alternatives, such as synthetic black and white fabric covers, mulches, are being examined in terms of soil moisture, soil nutrient availability, soil biota, plant nutrition status, and fruit production of pear and sweet cherry. Other focuses include the evaluation of N, calcium (Ca), and boron (B) effects on pear and sweet cherry storability and the development of effective and sustainable nutrient and soil management practices for organic sweet cherry production systems.