Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/76198
Canadian research looks at CO2 emissions R Scientists hope to identify orchard practices that increase yields while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. by Terry Edwards esearchers at the University of British Colum- bia's Okanagan campus in Canada have embarked on a federally funded three-year study aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emis- sions while improving irrigation and fertilizer practices on Okanagan area orchards and Fraser Valley berry farms. "The investigations undertaken by UBC scientists Drs. Melanie Jones, Louise Nelson, and Craig Nichol will improve our understanding and help increase yields, while still reducing agriculture's environmental footprint Craig Nichols and Melanie Jones are part of a research team from the University of British Columbia Okanagan that is investigating how irrigation and fertilization practices affect greenhouse gas emissions. in the Okanagan," said Miriam Grant, UBC-O vice- provost and dean of research, at a news conference. The project's funding, a $1.2-million grant, comes from Agriculture Canada's $27-million greenhouse gas program, which represents Canada's initial contribution to the Global Research Alliance of Agriculture Green- house Gases, an initiative with 38 signatory countries. Soil microbiologists Jones and Nelson and hydrogeol- ogist Nichol will examine the long-term fluxes of green- house gases (carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide) from three ongoing research trials of grape, raspberry, Specialty Insulated Doors for Cold Storage and CA Our specialty door shop can manufacture new or retro-fit existing doors and repair most existing insul- tated doors up to 14' x 14' Columbia Reach CA Facility in Yakima, Washington, shows CA doors with inclement weather hoods. Controlled Atmosphere Room Services 7--"%/"##*01-+#/'!!-1',%0 7#$/'%#/1'-,,"0601#+.'.',%90&',% 7./6..*'#"2/#1&,#$-+,"8/#!-1',%0 7,,2*/--++',1#,,!#,"1#01/#!-/"0 7-',190&',%0 7--+1#01',% 7*--/!-,1/-*(-',10#*,10 Don Jordan SINCE 1983 48 AUGUST 2012 GOOD FRUIT GROWER Coatings, Caulkings, and Sealants #/# *#1-./-3'"##.-560'*'!-,#2/#1&,#!2*)',%0#*,10,"!-1',%0$-/ +-01 -3#-/ #*-4%/"#..*'!1'-,0 Energy Systems, Inc. www.DonJordanEnergy.com • Toll Free 800.871.2885 • Office 509.457.8892 1501 Madison Ave • Yakima, WA 98902 or Repairs Retrofit, New, and apple in response to varying irrigation and fertilization practices. "My part of the project is looking at the soil microor- ganisms [bacteria] that are involved in the nitrogen cycle," said Nelson. "In particular, we're going to be looking at the nitrifying and denitrifying popula- tions, both of which can contribute to nitrous oxide emissions. "I will be taking soil "The water- use part is key as well." —Melanie Jones samples and looking at the activity of these two different soil populations that can contribute to nitrous oxide, and we'll be looking at the effects of different types of irrigation and different nitro- gen fertilizer applications." She noted that agriculture is a major source of nitrous oxide, contributing 70 percent of the nitrous oxide in greenhouse gas emissions. "Nitrous oxide is 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide in its ability to retain heat, so it's a very potent greenhouse gas. What we want to do is figure out which practices will minimize the amount of nitrous oxide emitted. "At the end, hopefully we'll be able to say to the farmer, 'Your best bet, if you're interested in growing a good crop but keeping greenhouse gas emissions to a minimum, would be to use this type of irrigation system and you should apply your nitrogen this way.'" Soil samples will be analyzed and greenhouse gases measured at apple and grape plots in Summerland and raspberry plots in Agassiz. New carbon Jones will be studying isotopes of carbon from soil samples to determine what portion of the carbon dioxide coming out of the soil is being emitted from old soil car- bon and what portion from new carbon. New carbon is carbon that the plant has recently pho- tosynthesized, converted to sugars, and sent to the roots. The roots have then burned up and emitted it as carbon dioxide. But some of the other carbon in the soil, known as old carbon, is sequestered, unless microbes start to break it down or it is released by agricultural practices. "Basically, we would like to find production practices that encourage more carbon to stay in the soil: more car- bon being taken in through photosynthesis, being sent down to the roots and staying in the soil, either in dead roots or as organic matter, rather than it being respired back out again," Jones said. Carbon occurs in slightly different weights (isotopes) and, by measuring those differences, researchers can trace if the carbon dioxide that's being respired by the soil www.goodfruit.com with one call! complete service ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC. DONJORDAN