2018 Grants

Evaluating the Effects of Seeding and Inoculant Rates on Weed Suppression, Nodulation, and Soil Health on Organic Lentil Production in the Northern Great Plains

Evaluating the Effects of Seeding and Inoculant Rates on Weed Suppression, Nodulation, and Soil Health on Organic Lentil Production in the Northern Great Plains

Photo of a field of flowering lentil plants

Jed Eberly, Assistant Professor, Montana State University

Lentils are important for diversifying wheat-based cropping systems and are also beneficial in enhancing soil health. These benefits have contributed to the exponential growth in pulse crop acreage in The Northern Great Plains (NGP). However, little is known about the optimum seeding and appropriate inoculation rates to improve crop growth, nutrient acquisition, weed management, and yield potential for lentils in organic systems. The goals of this project are to evaluate effects of seeding rates on lentil yields and weed competition. These goals will be achieved through a multi-site replicated trials on grower’s fields in three different lentil growing areas of Montana. Three lentil varieties would be selected based on seed sizes; large, medium, and small and will be seeded at four different rates.

 

Impact: Improved lentil yields, nutritional quality, and better returns on investments for organic lentil growers.

 

By |2022-12-01T20:21:37+00:00October 17th, 2019|Grant Award|

On-farm Assessment of Melon and Cucumber Seedstocks for Downy Mildew and Bacterial Wilt

On-farm Assessment of Melon and Cucumber Seedstocks for Downy Mildew and Bacterial Wilt

Photo of bacterial wilt in a muskmelon plant

Edmund Frost, Common Wealth Seed Growers

Farmers throughout the Eastern U.S. cite Bacterial Wilt and Downy Mildew as key limiting disease issues for melon and cucumber production.

Impact: New resistant varieties that have the potential to make management easier, decrease losses, and extend the harvest period.

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By |2020-09-09T20:29:43+00:00October 18th, 2018|Grant Award|

Effect of Biosolarization and Cover Crops on Weeds and Soil-borne Pathogens

Effect of Biosolarization and Cover Crops on Weeds and Soil-borne Pathogens

Ashraf Tubeileh, California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California

As the negative health and environmental effects of chemical soil fumigation become more apparent, there is a critical need for safe, alternative methods of soil fumigation to control weeds.

Impact: Proven organic method to control annual and perennial weeds, particularly in no-till systems.

By |2020-01-08T18:14:16+00:00October 18th, 2018|Grant Award|
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