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!

BMPs and BMAPs: A Twilight Corn Field Day 2018 Report Back

By Michael Gutierrez

Last week North Florida Research and Education Center - Suwannee Valley (NFREC), hosted Twilight Corn Field Day 2018. The event covered topics from corn production to irrigation management. Twenty percent of Florida’s farming happens in the region served by NFREC, an expanding research venue currently involved in some 50 projects. UF-ABE PhD candidate Maria Zamora attended the field day event at NFREC. Her work with corn best management practices is closely related to the topics presented at the event. She agreed to discuss her field day experience with IrriGator.   

UF-ABE PhD Candidate Maria Zamora (image: M. Dukes)

As a researcher and also an extension educator, what do you feel was the objective of the Twilight Corn Field Day?

MZ: The most important objective overall was to let growers know about the urgency to adopt best management practices (BMP) for nitrogen (N) reduction loads in the Suwannee River Basin. The target of the Santa Fe, Suwannee and Withlacoochee​ Basins of 0.35 mg/L monthly average nitrate concentration must be met in the next 5 years.​ According to the new basement management action plan (BMAP), these basins are a susceptible area for nitrogen leaching in which action must be taken.

As a researcher the most important objective was to provide research information and results from research experiments performed at the Center to growers. Most of this information was regarding BMPs that growers can choose and implement in their fields. As an educator, the most important objective was to communicate research results to the open public, especially to the growers, who are the main target audience of the research being performed to meet the target N load reductions.

NFREC Director Bob Hochmuth addresses Field Day attendees (image: M Zamora)

Can you give us an idea of what kind of research work was highlighted?

MZ: Several projects were highlighted:

Dr. Charles Barrett explained in a very demonstrative way how to schedule irrigation using soil moisture sensors (SMS). As well, Dr. Joel Love, who coordinated the Twilight Corn Field Day, provided details about ongoing research on selection of corn varieties (high yielding varieties), fertilizer options and timing. Dr. David Wright provided concise documentation about starter fertilizer placement in no till corn, control release fertilizer in corn, control of nematode population, irrigation and fertilization amounts and timing among others. Overall the research pointed to the optimization of inputs (essentially N and water), as potential BMP options that growers could adopt.

Based on your work what presentation was most relevant or useful?

MZ: Based on the work we have been ​performing during the last 3 years, I found the SMS demo very interesting and engaging. Sometimes it’s hard to understand what we cannot see. The demo consisted of showing the rootzone in a fully developed corn field trial. A pit was made in order to visualize how deep the roots were growing. As a result, growers and participants were able to visualize that the most active rootzone is concentrated in the top ~0-40 cm. Roots might grow in deeper soil layers, but are mostly concentrated in those top layers. Therefore, irrigation should be managed where plants can take up the water. Large amounts of irrigation result in drainage and nutrient leaching from the rootzone.

A corn field's soil profile exposed (image: M. Zamora)

What do you feel is the most impactful work that is being pursued at NFREC?

MZ: The most impactful work being pursued is reaching the balance between profitable agriculture production and environmental protection. This is being realized through the different on-going research projects, as well as future projects, such as a crop rotation with the inclusion of grass and cattle production.

There is not a single factor that will modify final yields or final N losses to the environment. Factors are all tight together:

-Choosing the right variety for the right place and environment would define the potential yield when it's managed correctly.

-Adequate placement of fertilizer would improve the uptake and reduce the losses. Therefore, sidedressing is a practice that would reduce N losses. Different types of fertilizer also are alternatives (litter, cow manure, control release fertilizer, etc).

-Adequate irrigation is required in order to keep nutrients in the rootzone and to avoid overirrigation (i.e. greater amounts are applied than needed).

-Adequate control of nematodes (especially in a corn-corn rotation) is essential to avoid final yield reductions. Where the first assumption might be N or water stress, in many cases nematodes are the cause (very hard to see/detect).

Charles Barrett presenting at the Field Day (image M. Zamora)

Is there anything I didn't ask you that you think readers should know?

​MZ: I hope all BMP alternatives serve as a cocktail of strategies for growers! ​There is an urgency to take action now. Adopting and implementing BMPs would be beneficial for growers and for the environment. Growers can reduce losses (i.e. input losses and final yield losses), hence increase profits and investments. However, these efforts must come from all sides and angles: from researchers, extension agents, educators, modelers, industry and stakeholders to find that sweet balance among humans and nature.

Looking Ahead: Irrigation Show and Education Conference 2017

Next week irrigation industry professionals from all walks will descend on Orlando, FL, for Irrigation Show and Education Conference 2017. The largest irrigation-focused event of the calendar year, it is as advertised, part product expo (everything you can imagine and more) and part conference - academic presentations, training seminars and certification courses/exams. Best of all for our UF-ABE researchers specializing in irrigation, it’s only a 2 hour drive away.

Research Showcase

UF-ABE research will be featured in both the agriculture and landscape sessions of the Technical Program at Irrigation Show. PhD candidate Maria Zamora is presenting an overview of irrigation and nutrient best management practices in corn. Research associate Bernard Cardenas will discuss recent work pertaining to the EPA WaterSense pressure regulating spray sprinkler body specification. 

We’re gearing up for #IrrigationShow in November. Preview @UF_IFAS water specialist Michael Dukes’ talk on smart irrigation technology! pic.twitter.com/lAtyuFPfOk

— UF/IFAS IrriGator (@IrriGatorUF) October 25, 2017

Dr. Michael Dukes will focus on finds from a multi-year Orange County (FL)-based smart irrigation technology study. And Dr. Kati Migliaccio is presenting on rainfall data resources for use in Florida.

E3 Learners

Once again this year I’ll be collaborating with the Irrigation Foundation on digital content. We hope to shine a light on the E3 Learners Program, which selects students from across the country to attend the Irrigation Show, complete coursework and network with established industry pros. This year’s Learner class is comprised of 30 students from 17 different states! Young people are the future of the industry, and the Irrigation Foundation is doing their best to welcome them into the fold.

How can forecast reference ET help inform water management decisions? Preview @UF_IFAS expert Kati Migliaccio’s #IrrigationShow presentation pic.twitter.com/9GG4fzmVgh

— UF/IFAS IrriGator (@IrriGatorUF) October 26, 2017

I’ll also be live tweeting throughout show week. Catch me @IrriGatorUF and follow/tweet along with all the show goings-on at #IrrigationShow.

See you there?

If Irrigation Show 2017 can draw even a sliver of Florida’s sizable green industry/water sector it will be another successful event. If you’re reading this locally/regionally and you’re not sure about making the trek to Orlando this November, take Dr. Dukes' advice: “Just do it! Especially if you are in Florida - this is a great opportunity close to home to see the latest and greatest in irrigation products and tech! It won’t be back for at least several years.”

Hear Bringing Water To Life Podcast's Irrigation Show episode:

Listen to "Episode 39 - 2017 Irrigation Show Preview" on Spreaker.

Charles Barrett and Understanding the Importance of Water in Florida

This month marks a year for Dr. Charles Barrett as water regional specialized agent (RSA) for UF/IFAS Northeast District. This district spans Jacksonville, the Suwannee River Valley and the Nature Coast. I caught up with him during Urban Landscape Summit 2017 and he was kind enough to speak with IrriGator about his RSA experience thus far.

Dr. Charles Barrett - Regional Specialized Agent, water resources

What attracted you to the Water RSA position?

CB: I did my PhD research in agriculture (ag) irrigation and best management practices for water and nutrient management. That’s what got me interested in it. And being a Florida resident my whole life I understand the importance of water to Florida. If there’s something I can do to help out I’m excited to do that.

What are the most critical water issues in your district?

CB: We have some new basin management action plans coming into place. My role with IFAS extension is education about what this means for our residents in the district. It’s a very rural area, so I'm getting the message out to farmers and small communities so that they understand what the implication of a basin management action plan is and how they can get prepared for it.

Dr. Barrett (middle) presents at an irrigation demo

Also, out of the 31 listed Outstanding Florida Springs (OFS), we have 17 of them in my district. That’s a large majority. OFS in the new water bill got special attention so if you have an OFS in your basin management action plan you have even more stuff you have to pay attention to. There’s a lot coming down the pike and I feel there’s not a whole lot of education going on about that. This is where we step in and give the science and information. I feel we have to do a much better job of getting information out to people.

Being almost a year into this position are you satisfied with how the work is coming along?

CB: I feel like I’m starting to get the lay of the land which is the most critical part in any job. There was nobody before me to tell me what I needed to do - which is exciting but sometimes a challenge because you’re kind of making up your own road map as you go. You’ve got to do a needs assessment and figure out where the big fires are and start working on putting those fires out first. In my area, being that it’s predominantly ag, a lot of the identification of the nutrient loads in the rivers and in the springs has been identified as ag-related. That’s the big fire right now, to get those guys to understand how important best management practices are. How it’s not only important to enroll, but the rule has now changed that you have to verify your implementation of it. That means good record-keeping. It’s a lot of education on that.

Read Dr. Barrett's article on soil sensors & irrigation scheduling

If I can say anything is a success, it’s just making relationships right now – working with the water management district, working with FDACS, working with DEP and the Suwannee River Partnership has been huge up there. We meet regularly and we talk about these issues. We have a really tight-knit group. So I think the biggest success so far is that I’ve been able to get on board with those guys and to work hand-in-hand with the guys that are trying to get this information out. We’re all working together. I’d like to see more success on the side of getting things done, but that comes with time.

Before I met you I knew you from Twitter. Can you talk about why you joined Twitter and some benefits of maintaining a digital presence?

CB: I created an account on Twitter right when I first started as a water RSA. I went through the professional development academy, or new agent training, and it was brought to my attention how that media stream could be useful in your career. I figured like-minded people might find some of the stuff that I find interesting interesting to them. That’s why I got on it. I didn’t think anybody was looking at it! I see you on there with IrriGator and you’re always picking up stuff that I miss so it’s awesome. If I find something, or you guys find something, we can all share it along. I thought I’d never be on Twitter, I’m not a social media type of person. But it’s kind of cool.

Read profiles on Water RSAs James Fletcher and Dr. Lisa Krimsky.