Location: Soil Management Research
2018 Annual Report
Accomplishments
1. Getting the most of nitrogen fertilizer applied to calendula a source of industrial oil. Calendula ("pot marigold") is a source of industrial oil traditionally grown on a limited basis for medicinal or ornamental properties but now it is being grown for its oil as an alternative to fossil fuel or as an alternative to volatile organic compounds. However, little was known about the nitrogen fertilizer need to support growing calendula as a commercial oilseed crop. Nitrogen is critical for crop production, but can easily be lost over the winter. Plus, nitrogen fertilizer is an expensive input for producers so unused nitrogen represents a reduction in potential profits. A two-year study measuring plant yield and the amount of nitrogen left in the soil was used to make a fertilizer recommendation that supports crop yield without leaving excessive fertilizer behind. The data was added to the ARS Nitrogen Use and Outcomes (NUO net) database. Producers who wish to grow this crop and get the most use of the nitrogen applied will benefit from this research.
Review Publications
Johnson, J.M., Gesch, R.W., Barbour, N.W. 2018. Limited seed and seed yield response of calendula to applied nitrogen does not justify risk of environmental damage from high urea application rates. Agriculture. 8(40). https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture8030040.
Jaradat, A.A. 2017. Agriculture in the Fertile Crescent: Continuity and change under climate change. CAB Reviews: Perspectives in Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Nutrition and Natural Resources. 12(34). doi:10.1079/PAVSNNR201712034.
Pagliari, P.H., Strock, J.S., Johnson, J.M., Waldrip, H. 2018. Phosphorus distribution in soils treated with bioenergy co-product materials following corn growth. Agronomy Journal. 110(3):850-858. doi:10.2134/agronj2017.04.0239.
Acosta Martinez, V., Cano, A.M., Johnson, J.M. 2017. An approach to determine multiple enzyme activities in the same soil sample for soil health-biogeochemical indexes. Applied Soil Ecology. 126:121-128.
