Developing and Evaluating Innovative Soil Health Management in the Desert Southwest
​Traditionally, soil health indicates improving soil's physical, chemical, and biological properties, especially improving carbon storage and boosting essential soil biological activities. However, in arid and semi-arid environments, the common methodologies for improving soil health often come out as unsuccessful mostly due to a lack of knowledge (data) on how these technologies are to be implemented in these ecosystems. We design soil health management approaches suitable for growers in this region.
​​​​​Funding Sources
Cotton Incorporated
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA)
Related Projects
Exploring Cover Cropping Techniques for Regenerative Irrigated Cotton Production in Arizona: A Systems Approach​ (Cotton Incorporated)
Several cover crops [single species and mixes] are being tested for their impact on soil health and cotton production. Additionally, we are looking to innovate techniques to grow cover crops on beds to facilitate subsequent cash crop and furrow irrigation.
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Evaluating Biofertilizers to Improve Soil Health and Cotton Production in the Desert (Cotton Incorporated)
We are evaluating biofertilizers with beneficial microbial culture targeting efficient nutrient cycling​ in cotton production.
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​​​Sustaining Groundwater and Irrigated Agriculture in The Southwestern United States Under a Changing Climate (USDA AFRI Sustainable Agricultural Systems, project award no. 2021-68012-35914)
We are investigating how cover cropping can impact sustainable management and conservation of water in the desert southwest. Under this project, we are exploring different annual (forage corn, romaine lettuce) and perennial (pecan) cropping systems in the desert.​​
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Summer Cover Crops in the Vineyards (AZDA)
Vineyard production can be improved if surplus soil water (from precipitation) can be removed close to harvest. Native cover crops can be a great tool to remove excess soil moisture, preserve biodiversity and maintain soil health in desert agroecosystems. Our project is looking into native grass mixes and traditional summer cover crop species for this purposes.
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SRS RN: Transforming Rural-Urban Systems: Trajectories for Sustainability in the Intermountain West (NSF Award Abstract # 2115169)
We are designing a survey to understand the current status of regenerative agriculture in the Navajo nation. Through collaborative research, we plan to evaluate regenerative approaches in the intermountain west. See here
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Quantifying Ecosystem Services in Turfgrass Systems (USDA collaboration)
Measuring carbon and nitrogen dynamics in a turfgrass systems. Multiple turfgrass varieties are under study currently. ​
Assessing Impacts of Innovative Resource Efficient, Smart Agricultural Techniques on Soil Health
​In the arid and semi-arid climates of Arizona, the climate dictates what agricultural technologies can be adopted by the industry. Although we are blessed with abundant sunlight and fertile, mineral-rich soils, extreme heat and moisture stress declines traditional soil quality metrics such as soil organic carbon or microbial activity. Therefore, it is crucial to identify soil properties that are sensitive to changes in soil productivity and soil health following a diverse range of unique agricultural techniques adopted by growers in the desert Southwest. Our research measures specific soil health changes under various agricultural systems. One of the major are of research is monitoring soil health following the application of soil amendments or ameliorants used to improve water use, soil health or crop productivities.
Funding Sources
Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA)
National Science Foundation (NSF)
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Arizona Grain Research and Promotion Council (AGRPC)
Related Projects
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Building a Climate Smart Domestic Rubber Industry (USDA NRCS Climate Smart Commodities Partnerships)
Guayule is a desert adapted perennial crop that has potential to build soil health through protection from mechanical soil disturbances. We are testing is additional carbon-rich soil amendments in guayule production systems can save water and help growers build healthy soils in the desert.
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NSF Convergence Acdelerator J Track Phase 2: AquaSteady - Balancing Soil Moisture, A Seaweed-Based Hydrogel for Sustainable Agriculture (Award Abstract # 2345052) ​
We are investigating how a seaweed based hydrogel can be applied to the soil in commercial agricultural production systems of the desert Southwest for water conservation and soil health benefits.​​
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Understanding Soil Health Impacts of Efficient Irrigation Systems under Desert Cropping Systems (funded from the State Program: Water Irrigation Efficiency program)
In the desert, water management is essential to mitigate soil salinity problems. Traditional effective irrigated systems like drip and sprinkler systems' impact on soil health is largely unknown in arid and semi-arid environments. We are looking into carbon and salt dynamics in desert crops like cotton, cantaloupe, broccoli, and forage corn when irrigated with furrow, drip, and overhead sprinkler systems.
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Evaluating Winter Small Grain Crops for Water Productivity and Soil Health Dynamics Under Deficit Irrigation Regime in Desert Agricultural Systems of Arizona (AGRPC)
Durum wheat and barley are being grown under deficit irrigation systems to evaluate effect of water stress on soil health and crop productivity.​
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Dynamics of Soil Microbial Respiration of Rotations with Durum as Winter Crop in Arizona: Role of Durum Production in Maintaining Soil Health (AGRPC)
A low-cost soil respiration sensor is deployed in the durum wheat field and we are measuring soil health properties to find possible relationships between soil health and the data recorded by the sensor.
Developing Soil Health Assessment Frameworks for Arid and Semi-Arid Agroenvironments
Soil health management has been ‘prioritized’ by Arizona growers in many recent surveys. But there is a lack of information on how to assess soil health in carbon-limited soils. To address this concern, we working towards building a 'robust’ Soil Health Assessment Framework (SHAF) arid environments. Additionally, we are investigating and evaluating soil health indicators that are sensitive to different ecosystem management approaches. Our research scales from urban agriculture to large-scale commercial agricultural fields to rangelands.
​Funding Sources
Arizona Cotton Growers' Association (ACGA)
Cotton Incorporated
Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA)
Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture (YCEDA)
​​Related Projects
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Soil Health Following Water Sanitization in Romaine Lettuce Production System (AZDA)
Do Water Sanitizers Change Soil Biology in Romaine Lettuce Fields? (AZDA)
Water sanitization ensures food safety in leafy green/vegetable production systems. But these sanitizers have antibiotic properties and might manipulate soil health. We are investigating the impacts of sanitizers on soil health and identifying key indicators to measure soil health changes. We are also looking into the changes in microbial community structure using metagenomic techniques.
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Investigating Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates for Sustainable AZ Pecan Production (AZDA)
Although robust fertilizer nitrogen application guidelines have been made for younger pecan trees, information is lacking for older trees (>25 years old) as they often fail to produce to their potential. As woody tissues in perennial trees can store a lot of nitrogen, often soil nitrogen levels do not correlate with pecan yield and quality, and the trees do not respond to nitrogen fertilization linearly. Our team is testing ways to cutback nitrogen application to makes the production more profitable.
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Assessing Soil Health in the Rangelands
Soil health assessment in the rangelands is complex mainly due to its scale. Research to find suitable indicators for rangeland soil health monitoring is lacking. Our research team is now investigating the sensitivity of soil health indicators used in agricultural systems and tracking changes in soil health following rangeland restoration approaches.
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Comprehensive Soil Health Survey and Assessment in Yuma (YCEDA)
Evaluating Soil Health Status in the Irrigated Cotton Production Systems of Arizona (ACGA)
We are surveying agricultural operations and collecting soil samples from commercial farms statewide to create a comprehensive baseline for soil health in Arizona and neighboring regions towards building soil health metrics for arid and irrigated agroecosystems.​​