Wednesday, December 19, 2018

On the Scene in Long Beach: Irrigation Show 2018 with UF's E3 Learners

By Michael Gutierrez

Among the many events that go on during the annual Irrigation Show and Education Conference, one of the more rewarding is the E3 Irrigation Program. Every summer the Irrigation Foundation invites students from around the country to apply for a week or exposure, experience and education on location at the show. This includes attending classes and networking events, and engaging vendors during the large product expo. 2018’s E3 Learner class included students from 19 schools in 14 states. Representing UF were two PhD students from the Department of Horticultural Sciences. They agreed to share a little of their E3 experience with IrriGator.

UF HortSci PhD students Ricardo Lesmes and Natalia Macan
Can you introduce yourselves?
RL: I am Ricardo Lesmes. I am originally from Colombia. Currently I’m working in Dr. Johnny Ferrarezi's lab located in Fort Pierce at Indian River REC. I’m a PhD student in the Department of Horticultural Sciences. We grow premium grapefruit, which is one of the most sensitive citrus species to HLB (Huanglongbing or citrus greening - the worst disease the industry has ever faced). I work with citrus under protective screens. We’re focused on preventing infection of the trees by using physical barriers against the main vector of this disease - Asian citrus psyllid.

This production system of groves enclosed in screenhouses is a different microclimate for the crop. I focus on improving the horticultural aspects of the production of high quality fresh fruit. Experiments focus on testing new citrus varieties, testing the effects of different color nets, testing canopy management (automated or manual) and testing irrigation and fertigation management of the groves using soil moisture sensors and weather stations in the screenhouses.

NM: I am Natalia Macan, a PhD student at the Horticultural Sciences department. I started my studies in August 2018 and I am still discussing the details of my research project with my advisor, Dr. Rhuanito Ferrarezi. However, I can say that it will focus on irrigation management strategies for HLB affected grapefruit. HLB, or greening, is a disease with severe impact on the citriculture. Regarding the plant, one of the consequences is the reduction of root density. This affects the plant ability to uptake water and nutrients. So, it is necessary to study if the frequency of irrigation events and the amount of applied water should be different from healthy plants. Moreover, most of the irrigation management here in Florida is based on weather data, and the idea is also to test soil moisture sensors.


What motivated you to apply to E3?
RL: Different motivations. One was networking. I am starting my second year here. The industry production systems and technology level here is quite different from my country. I wanted to get to know the industry, manufacturers, other researchers, and learn about different equipment to improve my knowledge to conduct better research.

E3 Learner Class of 2018
NM: The main reason was to expand my irrigation knowledge. I have been passionate about irrigation since 2012, when I took my first undergraduate level class. I had an excellent professor (Dr. Tamara Gomes) and I liked learning how to develop an irrigation project. It caught my attention because it involves biological concepts, plants and soil, and engineering concepts, using math and physics to calculate friction loss. I was very excited when Dr. Ferrarezi told me about the E3 program. I knew that it would be an excellent opportunity to improve my knowledge, learn about new technologies and meet people that also work with irrigation.


What do you feel was the most rewarding aspect of this week?
RL: Everything was enriching to me. I enjoyed the classes. They were useful to improve and update my knowledge in this field. Being aware about all the different resources we have as students and future scientists. The expo is impressive - so many manufacturers and companies that work to improve water management in different fields, always producing better products, integrating technological advancements to manage water better.

NM: It is hard to choose just one thing. During the week I had the opportunity to attend many events and each one was special in a different way. At the education classes, I improved my technical knowledge and what I learned about drip irrigation design I am going to use to double check the irrigation system in my experiment. At technical sessions, I became aware of new irrigation research and this will also be helpful for my research because I learned about some difficulties in the use of soil moisture sensors. At the exhibition, I visited many companies and discovered new types of sensors that can be used for irrigation scheduling. I also had the opportunity to meet students, researchers, vendors, all type of people that work with irrigation. However, if I have to choose, there were two most rewarding moments in the week. The first was Mark Eaton’s keynote lecture and his message to help and protect who is around us. We live in a very competitive world and his speech made me think about it. The second moment was the Women in Irrigation Social. We know that irrigation is a male-dominated industry, so it was gratifying to see the room full of women that, like me, decided to follow this career.


Would you recommend E3 to students focused on ag or irrigation?
NM: Of course! This is a unique opportunity! If you like irrigation, you must participate in the E3 program. As I said in the previous answer if you attend the Irrigation Show and Education Conference you will learn, expand your network and be exposed to new ideas that can be useful in your job/research.

RL: Absolutely. This experience not only updates your knowledge but it also gives you the chance to open your eyes and have a wider picture of the industry and see what is going on in a real life sense because it encompasses scientific seminars and also what the industry is doing for growers.

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

A BMP Discussion with Dr. Maria Zamora

In November, UF-ABE PhD candidate Maria Zamora successfully defended
her doctoral dissertation on “Irrigation and Nitrogen Best Management
Practices in Corn Production.” Dr. Zamora’s academic career at ABE spans several years through winter strawberry fields and spring corn and peanut fields. She agreed to an interview with IrriGator to reflect on her experience and address what awaits
on the horizon.



Can you give us an idea about what your PhD research focused on?
MZ: My Ph.D. focused on irrigation and nitrogen (N) fertilizer
best management practices (BMPs) in corn production. It was located in the
Suwannee River Basin, which is characterized by a karst topography and
absence of a natural filtration system, thus, an increased vulnerability to
groundwater pollution. Excess N fertilizer applied with the intention of obtaining
higher yields, is a potential threat to waterbodies.
Our project focused on evaluating different irrigation strategies and N fertilizers in corn production with the aim to reduce water and fertilizer use without impacts in yield. As a glimpse of our results, the strategies proposed can provide the same yield as conventional practices, but achieving between 43-53% water savings and near 26% reduction in fertilizer applications.

What are some real world applications for the insight your research generated?
MZ: Our results provided information that can be used to help growers
manage their crops better. Using the proposed irrigation strategies (a soil water balance, soil moisture sensors and a reduced conventional practice) and following lower N application rates, water and fertilizer savings can be achieved without compromising final corn grain yields compared to conventional production practices. BMPs should be followed and implemented particularly in regions more susceptible for N impairment. These results are beneficial for growers, can help reduce inputs to waterbodies while reducing negative consequences in the environment and potentially increase grower's profits.

Dr. Dukes’ program develops very skilled researchers that go on to do impactful work. What’s the secret?
MZ: Dukes program focuses on developing strategies for problems that
should be solved due to their tremendous magnitude and impact to society
and its resources. Our major goal is water efficiency and water conservation.
Our 'water research' studies also involve the use of technology applications
for decision making, which has become more commonly used in agricultural
and residential sites. For example, my project emphasized on reducing
irrigation and N use; however, simultaneously aimed to provide solutions that
target a balance between the environmental and economic sectors.


Can you tell us something about what you will be focusing on in the future/after graduation?
MZ: My near future will be focused on water conservation in blueberries.
I'll start a postdoc position on January 2019 at UF with Dr. Dukes working
with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD). Since
blueberry is a fairly new crop to Florida and is growing in acreage, a need
exists to better characterize its irrigation requirements so that irrigation
allocation can be improved and irrigation scheduling tools can be developed.

Any advice/insight for graduate students just beginning their journey?
MZ: Oh yeah! My favorite resources are here and here.
  • Keep a healthy work–life balance.I highly recommend to make a balance between your multiple tasks (exams, presentations, deadlines, reports, write your dissertation, etc) and you. YOU MATTER and without you, nothing will be done. Looking after yourself is key for success.
  • Back up your work! I don't know how many times my computer crashed!...You can avoid many tears by backing up your work.
  • There is not a 'perfect' dissertation. The best one is a finished dissertation. Do not let perfection keep you from making progress. Just WRITE... I would also recommend to start writing as soon as possible. 
  • Have a clear NORTH.Discuss it with your advisor and make sure both are in the same page. Write down your objective (s) per chapter and make a plan. Then, follow the plan. A clear plan will help you to maintain focus.
  • Enjoy your Ph.D.! Make time to meet new people, make friends, attend to conferences, intermingle... this is a unique opportunity to create a great professional network that might help you find a job, get to know other people in the near-future or might even be your friends for a lifetime!.

Is there anything I did not ask you that you feel the audience should know?
MZ: Yes, I would like to mentioned that my project was the baseline for a continuation project in which three Universities are working together (University of Georgia, University of Alabama and University of Florida).This project integrates all disciplines (economic, social and environmental) to ensure economic sustainability of agriculture and silviculture in North Florida and South Georgia while protecting water quantity, quality, and habitat in the Upper Floridian Aquifer and the springs and rivers it feeds. I am happy that our work provides a great source of information for other researchers and it served as a foundation for keeping an excellent work!