Grant Information
| Knowledge Area | Subject of Investigation | Field of Science | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 111 - Conservation and Efficient Use of Water | 930 - Lemon | 1070 - Ecology | 30% |
| 102 - Soil, Plant, Water, Nutrient Relationships | 930 - Lemon | 1070 - Ecology | 20% |
| 205 - Plant Management Systems | 1429 - Cucurbits, other (includes pumpkin, squash, gourd) | 1070 - Ecology | 20% |
| 205 - Plant Management Systems | 1454 - Taro | 1070 - Ecology | 20% |
| 132 - Weather and Climate | 7210 - Remote sensing equipment and technology | 2070 - Meteorology and climatology | 10% |
The proper use of water for human and agricultural consumption is vitally important because of the increasing world population and the reduction of land for agricultural production. Farmers have to find ways to maximize production and input use to remain competitive and meet the demand for food. It is already demonstrated that the use of microirrigation is the best method to meet the water requirements of crops in places with low or erratic rainfall. What the scientific community still needs to refine or determine is the response of economic important crops grown in different geographic regions to microirrigation with the ultimate goal of increasing crop yields, maximize the use of water and reduce losses other agricultural inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides. To achieve this, collected data will be analyzed and conclusions drawn. Recommendations are disseminated to farmers, students and government staff by using conventional mechanisms such as field day, refereed and non-refereed publications and seminars.
E. Román Paoli - The objective of the study is to use best management practices such as microirrigation and fertilization on vector occurrence and Huanglongbing (HLB) incidence and its effect on the development and productivity of young citrus trees. A lemon orchard established in May 2014 will be submitted to two experimental factors. The first factor is the use of reflective plastic soil cover with two treatments (with and without reflective plastic soil cover). The second experimental factor is the use of best management practices such as microirrigation and fertilization. Two checks treatments were established within the treatments. Control 1 consists of no plastic mulch, granular fertilizer application and microirrigation while Control 2 consist of trees growing without fertilizers application neither microirrigation. Variables to be determined are trunk diameter, canopy volume, fruit yield, and soil moisture, foliar nutrient content. Leaves sampling will be done periodically to determine vector and disease incidence and nutrient content. L. E. Rivera MartÃnez - Compare weather-based irrigation scheduling on subsurface microirrigation (SDI) and different cropping systems and management practices to increase water conservation in vegetables, grains, and root crops production in southern Puerto Rico. Quantify the effects of different irrigation scheduling approaches on the relation of yield or product quality to applied/available water. Field experiments using drip and SDI in combination with different management and cropping systems will be conducted to evaluate growth, yield and product quality of selected vegetables, root crops, and grains in southern Puerto Rico. Different weather-based irrigation scheduling methods will be used to determine when to irrigate and how many water apply to optimize production.
Target Audience
Research conducted in this project during the five-years period addressed fruits, starchy crops and natural resources and environment commodities. Project leader mainly focused on microirrigation management of citrus and avocado while co-leaders evaluated microirrigation on starchy crops production systems for the southern coast of Puerto. Also, the estimation of broad scale ET by using remote sensing techniques applied to the Caribbean region was investigated.
Changes / Problems
Nothing Reported
Training & Professional Development
Nothing Reported
Dissemination Streams
Results have been disseminated through the following oral and poster presentations at academic conferences and workshops: Ferrer RamÃrez, P., Román-Paoli, E. O'Hallorans, J., Zamora. J. 2019. Evaluación del uso de cubiertas plásticas reflectoras y diferentes métodos de fertilización para optimizar la productividad del limón cv. 'Meyer'. SOPCA. Dec. 6, 2019. Ferrer RamÃrez, P., Román-Paoli, E. O'Hallorans, J., Zamora. J. 2019. Evaluacion del uso de cubiertas plásticas reflectoras y diferentes métodos de fertilización para optimizar el rendimiento del limón cv. 'MEYER'. Microrrigation workshop: "Logros y enseñanzas del Proyecto regional H-402 (W3128)". May 24, 2019, Isabela substation, CAS. Poster presentation. Román-Paoli, E. 2019. Reseña de la investigación en microriego para PR y EU auspiciada por USDA-NIFA. Microrrigation workshop: "Logros y enseñanzas del Proyecto regional H-402 (W3128)". May 24, 2019, Isabela substation, CAS. Oral presentation. Román-Paoli, E. 2019. Respuesta de algunos frutales al manejo de agua por microriego. Microrrigation workshop: "Logros y enseñanzas del Proyecto regional H-402 (W3128)". May 24, 2019, Isabela substation, CAS. Oral presentation. Harmsen, E. 2019. Optimizing the management of microirrigation system. Microrrigation workshop: "Logros y enseñanzas del Proyecto regional H-402 (W3128)". May 24, 2019, Isabela substation, CAS. Oral presentation. Rivera Martinez, L. E. 2019. Evaluación de microriego, sistemas de siembra y manejo de cosechas en distintos cultivos en la costa sur de Puerto Rico. Microrrigation workshop: "Logros y enseñanzas del Proyecto regional H-402 (W3128)". May 24, 2019, Isabela substation, CAS. Oral presentation. Santana-González, L., R. Tirado-Corbalá, E. Román-Paoli, M. Muñoz-Muñoz, J. Muñoz-Barreto., A. Pérez-Ortiz y W. AlequÃn-Otero. 2019. Evaluación de diferentes niveles de nitrógeno e irrigación en una siembra madura de aguacates (cv. Simmonds) en un Oxisol. 55ta Annual meeting Caribbean Food Crop Society (CFCS). July 8-12, 2019. Dominican Republic. Poster presentation. Santana-González, L., R. Tirado-Corbalá, E. Román-Paoli, M.Muñoz-Muñoz y W. AlequÃn-Otero.2019. Determinación de nitrato en siembra de aguacates (cv.Simmonds) bajo diferentes niveles de fertilizantes e irrigación. Microrrigation workshop: "Logros y enseñanzas del Proyecto regional H-402 (W3128)". May 24, 2019 Isabela substation, CAS. Poster presentation. Pérez-Ortiz, A., R. Tirado-Corbalá, E. Román-Paoli y J. Muñoz-Barreto. 2019.Uso de vehÃculos aéreos no tripulados para monitoreo de crecimiento de copa de siembra madura de aguacates (cv. Simmonds). Microrrigation workshop: "Logros y enseñanzas del Proyecto regional H-402 (W3128)". May 24, 2019, Isabela substation, CAS. Poster presentation. Rebecca Tirado-Corbalá. Monitoreo continuo de humedad de suelo y uso de UAV en siembras maduras de aguacates (cv. Simmonds) creciendo en un Oxisol como parte de agricultura precisa. Microrrigation workshop: "Logros y enseñanzas del Proyecto regional H-402 (W3128)". May 24, 2019, Isabela substation, CAS. Poster presentation.
Next Reporting Steps
Nothing Reported
Target Audience
The research continues addressing three commodity groups (fruits, starchy crops and . natural resources and environment). The project leader continue focusing on micro irrigation management of citrus while coleaders evaluate microirrigation on starchy crops production systems planted in the south coastal plains and estimation of broad scale ET using remote sensing techniques applied to the Caribbean region.
Changes / Problems
Although the fruit trees are in recovery, the damage caused by the hurricane is still evident.
Training & Professional Development
One graduate student is working on the project towards his master's degree.Results will be available for the next progress report.
Dissemination Streams
Results has been disseminated to farmers and scientific community by traditional means and person to person. During the last year it has been quite difficult to offer symposiums and oral presentations.
Next Reporting Steps
A workshop addressed to graduate students and the general public on the implementation of best management practices for micro irrigation is under consideration. <br><br>
<br>What was accomplished under these goals? Farmers commonly use micro-irrigation to produce their crops on the southern coast of Puerto Rico. Research developed in the management of micro-irrigation in fruits and starchy crops has been combined with the evaluation of management practices for emerging problems and new production systems. Young farmers progressively accept the use of technology such as remote sensing. This technology has been adapted to the management of micro-irrigation on a large-scale basis. This project has contributed with information for the Caribbean region available in the web. <br><br><b>Publications</b><br>
Target Audience
The research continues to be addressed to three large groups of farmers. The project leader continue focusing on micro irrigation management of citrus such as oranges and lemons. The information is useful for farmers located at the northern and central mountainous region of Puerto Rico. Project co leaders will continue evaluating subsurface micro irrigation systems effect on starchy crops and vegetables planted for in the south coastal plains. The estimation of broad scale ET using remote sensing techniques can be applied for the Caribbean.
Changes / Problems
Atwomonthstudentstrikeandthehitofamajorhurricanegreatlyaffectedinfrastructure,communications,andutilitiesdestroyedoraffectedfieldexperimentsandotherresearchactivitiessuchasdataanalysis,outreachandpublications.Wearestillunder recover.
Training & Professional Development
Nothing Reported
Dissemination Streams
The results has been disseminated to farmers and scientific community.
Next Reporting Steps
Onepaperwasacceptedforpublication.Theworkshopaddressedtograduate studentsoftheCollegeofAgriculturalScience,UPR ontheimplementationofbestmanagementpracticesforusingmicroirrigationcouldnotbeperformed.The workshopwillbescheduled somedayinthesecondsemester2017-18. <br><br>
<br>What was accomplished under these goals? Preliminary data obtained in a trial conducted in southwetern PR indicates that lemon cultivar Meyer can be grown succesfully in the region even with the presence of HLB disease. Experiments conducted in southern PR evaluating different management practices and subsurface microirrigation have promoted the planting of taro in the region. This crop was traditionally planted in mountainous regions of the island. The response to drip irrigation and two subsurface drip irrigation levels are being evaluated in a new plantain variety introduced in the south. In conjunction with an engineer, we have ventured into the use of remote sensing and drums to monitor soil water content. <br><br><b>Publications</b><br>
Target Audience
The research continues to be addressed to three large groups of farmers. The project leader continues focusing on micro irrigation management of citrus, such as oranges and lemons. The information is useful for farmers located at the northern and central mountainous region of Puerto Rico. Project co-leaders will continue evaluating subsurface micro irrigation systems effect on starchy crops and vegetables planted in the south coastal plains. The estimation of broad scale ET using remote sensing techniques can be applied for the Caribbean.
Changes / Problems
A citrus orchard was planted in May 2014 to study micro-irrigation and fertilization effects on HLB incidence, the incidence of the disease vector, yield, and growth of lemon trees. Cultivar 'Meyer' scion was grafted into rough lemon and propagated in a protected screen house at the Isabela substation to certify that seedlings were disease-free at time of transplanting. Due to a human error at the substation, forty six percent of lemon trees in the experiment were grafted with rough lemon instead of Meyer lemon. After two years, the research team -realizing this mistake-- decided to prune the rough lemon trees at 30 inches height and to graft them with a Meyer scion several months later. Once the scion is established, remaining two-year Meyer trees will be pruned, to achieve uniformity in the whole field, and research will be continued.
Training & Professional Development
Graduate students working in this project have been trained in soil moisture sensing and have presented results in local scientific meetings.
Dissemination Streams
Project results are being disseminated through oral and poster presentations in scientific and commodity meetings. Scientific papers have been published on peer reviewed journals.
Next Reporting Steps
One paper was accepted for publication. We are planning a workshop addressed to graduate students of the College of Agricultural Sciences, UPR on the implementation of best practices for using micro-irrigation. Data collection will be continued. <br><br>
<br>What was accomplished under these goals? Significant responses on HLB incidence have been found for the application of drip irrigation and foliar fertilizers in lemons cv. Meyer. Preliminarily, the trials conducted in southwestern PR indicate that even in the presence of HLB disease, cultivar Meyer can be grown successfully in the region. Another accomplishment is that we scientifically proved that using microirrigation and controlled release fertilizers reduce nitrogen losses in avocado orchards, when compared with fertigation. In addition, experiments in southern PR evaluating different management practices and subsurface microirrigation have prompted the planting of taro in this region. This crop was traditionally planted in the mountainous regions of the island. We have also ventured,in conjunction with a civil engineer, into the use of remote sensing and drones to monitor large scale soil water content. Accurate soil moisture data obtained at the avocado orchard will be used to calibrate remote sensed data. <br><br><b>Publications</b><br>
Target Audience
The research continues to be addressed to three large groups of farmers. The project leader continue focusing on micro irrigation management of citrus such as oranges and lemons. The information is useful for farmers located at the northern and central mountainous region of Puerto Rico. Project co leaders will continue evaluating subsurface micro irrigation systems effect on starchy crops and vegetables plantedin the south coastal plains. The estimation of broad scale ET using remote sensing techniques can be applied for the Caribbean.
Changes / Problems
Nothing Reported
Training & Professional Development
The student is being trained in the identification of insect pests transmitting the bacteria that causes citrus greening disease. She also conducts a survey of other insect pests that are important for citrus production.
Dissemination Streams
The results have been disseminated to farmers and to the scientific community through journal articles, videos and meetings.
Next Reporting Steps
We are planning to finish at least two publications and offer several workshops to farmers and agriculture professionals on the implementation of best practices for using microirrgation, especially the use of subsurface drip irrigation. <br><br>
<br>What was accomplished under these goals? The research team is addressing objectives 1 and 2 of the regional project. Significant responses on HLB incidence have been found for the application of drip irrigation and foliar fertilizers in lemons cv. Meyer. Preliminaryly, the trials conducted in southwestern PR indicate that in spite of the presence of HLB disease, cultivar Meyer can be grown successfully in the region. Another accomplishment is thatwe scientificallyproved that using microirrigation and controlled release fertilizers reduce nitrogen losses in avocado orchards when compared with fertigation. Experiments in southern PR evaluating different management practices and subsurface microirrigationhaveundoubtedlypromoted the planting of taro in this region. This crop was traditionally planted in the mountainous regions of the island. <br><br><b>Publications</b><br>