SBARE New & Emerging
Crops Committee Meeting
The State Board of Agricultural Research and Education’s New & Emerging Crops Granting Committee meeting was called to order at 10 a.m. Voting members present were Steve Enger, Ron Hendrickson, Bob Landman and Holly Mawby. Non-voting members present were Blaine Schatz, Dr. Ken Grafton and Dr. Al Schneiter. Also present was Lori Capouch.
It was moved by Mawby and seconded by Hendrickson to appoint Enger as chairperson. The motion passed.
The meeting began with presentations of the proposals under
consideration.
Northern Hardy Fruit Evaluation Project
Researcher: Kathleen
Wiederholt
Amount requested:
$8,810 (year 2 of 3)
This project will evaluate current and emerging selections of fruit crops which are hardy in northern latitudes and desired in current or emerging fresh or processed food markets. This comprehensive evaluation will provide new knowledge on fruit production opportunities and determination of the specific species and varieties that are able to satisfy this demand. Information gained from this research will provide current and potential growers with the necessary insights on adapted species and varieties, thereby greatly reducing the economic risk of new enterprises. Those species and varieties that produce acceptable fruit yield and high fruit quality will be promoted in outreach activities. New fruits may create new marketing opportunities and help promote existing enterprises as consumers seek the new products created.
Weed control in onion: integrating available tools
into a weed control system
Researcher: Harlene Hatterman-Valenti
Amount requested:
$8,700
Weed control is the major obstacle for North Dakota onion producers and weeds are most damaging to yield early in the growing season. While herbicides can be effective measures of weed control, they often cause injury to the onion crop, especially in the early stages of development. Ongoing research has shown that crop safety and inconsistent weed control can be achieved by applying multiple applications of post emergent herbicides at reduced-rates during early growth stages, or by applying pre-emergent herbicides. However, the integration of these methods of weed control into an effective, yet economical system has yet to be investigated. This information is extremely important for the state’s onion producers because onions cannot overcome injury and insufficient weed control to produce a marketable yield.
The objective of this project is to investigate pre-emergent herbicide applications in combination with subsequent post micro-rate herbicide applications for weed control in onion.
Enhancing sustainability through strip-tillage in
onion
Researcher:
Harlene Hatterman-Valenti
Amount requested:
$7,390
The objectives of this research are to determine if conservation tillage is a sustainable and economical production practice for several vegetable species typically grown in North Dakota: cabbage, edamames, onion, pumpkin and sweet corn. Since weeds are the major pests in the northern Great Plains, the study will also compare early-season weed management under conventional and conservation practices as well as short-term indicators of soil quality. Strip-tillage has the potential to reduce soil erosion from water and wind, increase the water holding capacity of the soil, reducing water loss from runoff and evaporation, and protect newly emerged plants. Strip-tillage will also alter soil conditions and thus growers need to know how their early-season weed control options are affected. Results will be the first step to developing a sustainable production practice for several vegetables in North Dakota.
Breeding elite chokecherry cultivars for small fruit production in
North Dakota
Researchers: Wenhao Dai, James
Walla
Amount requested: $10,456
In this project, researchers will use native chokecherries
to breed new chokecherry plants which are disease resistant, high yield, good
fruit quality and ideal for native fruit production in this region. Overall, this project has a great potential
to increase production of small fruit trees and conserve natural resources,
which will benefit all
Flax with High Linolenic Acid
Researcher: James Hammond
Amount requested: $10,000
Evidence is accumulating which supports the healthy benefits
of omega-3 fatty acids (linolenic acid) in humans and other animals. In addition, historic use of linseed as a
drying oil in industrial applications would benefit from higher content of
linolenic acid in flaxseed. Some in
Canada have promoted the benefit of higher omega-3 in flax produced in Canada
as compared to North Dakota as a result of their more northern latitude. An apparent move for higher linolenic acid
flax has been demonstrated in the market
place.
Turfgrass seed production as rotation crop for erosion
control and soil quality restoration in the Red River Valley
Researcher: Qi Zhang
Amount requested: $6,700
The results of this research will help farmers develop a sustainable agricultural system by integrating turfgrass seed production as a rotation crop into farming systems. Successful seed production can also increase the diversity in the agricultural production in the Red River Valley. This project will help new or existing seed producers increase economic value with lower inputs of N fertilization and weed control compared to common crops in the Red River Valley.
Winter camelina studies regarding seeding date,
seeding depth, and genotype comparisons
Researcher:
Amount requested:
$6,850
Camelina is a potential crop that could quickly become a new
alternative crop in
The committee held a discussion regarding the proposals and then individually ranked the projects 1, 3 and 5 with “1” indicating the highest priority. The individual scores were used to devise a ranking of the projects. Schatz declared a conflict of interest on the project in Tab #12 and informed the committee he could be excusing himself from discussion on this project and related projects.
It was moved by Hoffman
and seconded by Hendrickson to grant negotiated funding as follows:
The motion carried
unanimously.
It was moved by Enger
and seconded by Mawby to grant the remaining $633 toward the second year of the
project titled “Northern-hardy fruit evaluation project”.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.