Location: Water Management Research
Project Number: 2034-13000-013-017-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement
Start Date: Mar 20, 2024
End Date: Aug 31, 2031
Objective:
1. Determine spatial and temporal GHG emission patterns in an almond orchard with and without whole orchard recycling (WOR) treatments.
2. Obtain seasonal and annual estimates of cumulative emissions in the orchard.
3. Determine the long-term effects of WOR on soil physical, chemical, and biological properties.
Approach:
A five-year old almond orchard will be monitored for GHG emissions during the project period. The orchard has two main treatments: whole orchard recycling (WOR) at 80 metric tons/acre into soil before trees were planted and a no woodchip control, and sub-treatments with different N application rates in triplicate. WOR is a fast-growing practice where whole old trees from the orchard are ground into woodchips, which are then incorporated into soil before replanting. A total four treatments (two main treatments and two nitrogen application rates) in triplicate will be monitored continuously (daily) throughout the year using a commercially available automated chamber system with GHG analyzers for N2O, CO2, and CH4. Prior to this, weekly measurements will be made using individual static chambers. Each location will include the irrigated berm and non-irrigated alleyway. Emission fluxes affected by treatment will be collected and cumulative emissions will be calculated. Additional monitoring will include assessment of soil chemical and physical properties, such as organic matter, C, N, pH, and EC in both surface soil where woodchips are incorporated in soil profile for at least two times (after about every three years) during the course of the project.
