Biochar, a charcoal-like material prepared from crop and forest residue, can significantly impact soil health for both large- and small-scale farms in New Mexico.
While research on effective commercial production of biochar is ongoing, growers can learn more about its effects on soil health at this year’s field day at the New Mexico State University Agricultural Science Center in Clovis. Researchers will also present information on other soil science projects, dairy industry updates, and hay production. The event begins at 8 a.m. on Aug. 6 at the center, located 13 miles north of Clovis on Highway 288.
NMSU recently received $1.2 million for a collaborative research project with Auburn University and the University of Delaware, funded by the National Science Foundation’s $56 million investment in climate change research. As part of this project, NMSU cropping system agronomist Rajan Ghimire and his team will measure various soil properties to determine soil carbon storage, soil biology, and nutrient cycling in response to biochar and/or compost application.
Additionally, NMSU is involved in a $1 million United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture project testing the efficacy of dual-function biochar—known as duo-biochar—that captures excess phosphorus in soils and releases it slowly to meet plant needs. This project aims to absorb excess phosphorus from animal manure and composts into biochar to prevent excessive phosphorus runoff from increasingly expensive synthetic fertilizers.
“We just started the field research this year, and we’re learning a lot of things,” Ghimire said. “We don’t know the economics of biochar application in New Mexico farms, but interested farmers can make it on their own.”
Farmers in southern and central New Mexico can use pecan shells to create biochar while those in northern New Mexico may utilize forest byproducts.
“This will make a valuable soil amendment to help sustain agriculture in our state and support the environment,” Ghimire added.
Other presentations during the field day include:
- Grass buffer strips and soil carbon: Sangu Angadi (NMSU crop physiologist) and Sundar Sapkota (NMSU postdoctoral researcher).
- Soil water infiltration and tillage effects on soil organic matter: Prakriti Bista (NMSU research scientist) along with graduate students Hamza Badrari and Sangam Panta.
- Update on the dairy industry: Robert Hagevoort (NMSU Extension dairy specialist).
- Weed management in corn: Abdel Mesbah (NMSU Agricultural Science Center at Clovis research director).
- Cover crops and compost effects on soil health and greenhouse gas emissions: Ghimire along with graduate students Dotun Arije and Olufemi Abebaya.
- Soil health and water measurement in plots facing irrigation retirement: Atinderpal Singh (postdoctoral researcher) with graduate student Barsha Sharma.
- Biochar amendment for regenerative soil management: Ghimire alongside postdoctoral researcher Juan Frene with graduate student Piumi Yaddaehi.
- Bermudagrass-alfalfa mixture for quality hay production: Mark Marsalis (NMSU forage specialist) with Pramod Acharya (postdoctoral researcher).
Jay Lillywhite, associate dean of NMSU College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences, will welcome attendees before trolley tours begin at 9 a.m.
“The purpose of this free event is to bring producers together with researchers to visit each other’s practices,” Mesbah said. “This is an opportunity for producers to ask questions one-on-one.”
Lunch will be provided by Leal’s Restaurant. Individuals or small groups interested in touring specific trials or plots may do so following lunch.
For more information, call 575-985-2292 or email clovis@nmsu.edu.
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