Almond Nitrogen Budgeting and Reporting Using the Almond Board s Online Tool

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1 Almond Nitrogen Budgeting and Reporting Using the Almond Board s Online Tool Bob Curtis, Director Agricultural Affairs Almond Board of California Sustainable Ag Expo November 16,

2 Sustainable Fertility Management: Advances Almond Nitrogen Use Efficiency Increased production efficiency with minimal nitrate leaching Timing, Rate Source, Place Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE)* 1970s-1980s or 2 apps: either dormant or in-season 200 units for 1,200 1,300 kernel pounds/ac Broadcast or banded Flood or impact sprinkler Best practice: 50% The norm: 42-46% Spoon feeding multiple apps, low doses in season Match demand during tree growth and crop development Fertigation through drip or microsprinkler 75 85% Among the most efficient measured for any crop * NUE = N harvested in crop/n applied 2

3 CASP Online: Self-Assessment, Education, and Grower Tools Franklin Dlott Joe Browde Gabriele Ludwig Bob Curtis 3

4 Managing Nitrogen in Almonds: 4Rs Base fertilization rate on realistic, orchard specific yield Account for all N inputs Adjust in response to spring nutrient and yield estimates Conduct (properly!) a leaf analysis following full leaf out. In May, review leaf analysis results, update yield estimate and adjust. At harvest review yields to adjust post harvest Time applications to match demand - as many split applications as feasible» 80% N uptake occurs from full leaf out to kernel fill.» Apply up to 20% hull split to immediately post harvest, corrected for actual yield - but only if trees are healthy. Use foliars if N loss is possible.» Optimize everything! Every field, every year, is a unique decision 4

5 Managing Nitrogen in Almonds: 4Rs Base fertilization rate on realistic, orchard specific yield Account for all N inputs Adjust in response to spring nutrient and yield estimates Conduct (properly!) a leaf analysis following full leaf out. In May, review leaf analysis results, update yield estimate and adjust. At harvest review yields to adjust post harvest Time applications to match demand - as many split applications as feasible» 80% N uptake occurs from full leaf out to kernel fill.» Apply up to 20% hull split to immediately post harvest, corrected for actual yield - but only if trees are healthy. Use foliars if N loss is possible.» Optimize everything! Every field, every year, is a unique decision 5

6 CASP Online Nitrogen Budget and Reporting Tool One-Stop Access Simple Workflow Intuitive Interface Reporting Compliance 6

7 Nitrogen Management Plan Worksheet 7

8 CASP Nitrogen Budget Based on UC Research 4Rs - Right Rate, Right Timing, Right Source Match supply with tree demand (all inputs- fertilizer, organic N, water, soil). Apply coincident with tree demand and root uptake. Orchard Variation One-size does not fit all. Specific to every orchard each year. 4Rs - Right Place Roots, where are you? Ensure delivery to the active roots. Minimize movement below root zone 4Rs Monitoring Monitoring the 5th R CASP N Calculator Budgets and reporting 8

9 Optimizing N Use in CA Tree Crops. Supply (Rate) = Demand (Amount and Timing) Timing Nutrients Fixation Loss Loss 9 Kathy Kelley-Anderson et al: ANR Pub # 21623

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11 Dynamics of N in Mature Almond Tree (12 year old trees) Annual accumulation (Yield: 4,700 lbs) 2011: (320 lb N total) 30% 30% 20% 20% 0% 0% Nuts = 90% Leaves = 2% Bloom = 4% Perennial = 5% Only 20 lbs N/A for growth (12 year old w/85% canopy). Younger orchards or low yield may have N-demand of 40 lbs/a. 11

12 Right Rate and Right Timing 12

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14 About leaf sampling in May vs. July/August July/August leaf sampling is useful to monitor performance or ID deficiencies but is not a management strategy Provides no rate or timing information Too late to respond for this year, too early for next year. UCD has developed Early Leaf Sampling (UCD-ESP) methods for Almond and Pistachio Useful as a means to determine if leaves will have adequate N for the season Several labs have adopted these methods Ask your lab if they use the UCD-ESP program 14

15 Sampling Criteria: Collect leaves from 18 to 28 trees in one bag (depending of the confidence level and on the number of acres). Each tree sampled at least 30 yards apart. In each tree collect leaves around the canopy from at least 8 well exposed spurs located between 5-7 feet from the ground. In April, collect samples at 8121 GDH +/ (43 days after full bloom (DAFB) +/- 6 days). If you would like to collect samples in July, then collect samples at 143 DAFB +/- 4 days. SAME RULES! 15

16 overview Help PDF Provide Feedback Workflow Year & Orchard Entry Tabs Reports Calculations California Almond Sustainability Program sustainablealmondgrowing.org 16

17 CASP Online Nitrogen Budget and Reporting Tool Workflow 17

18 N Budget in 4Rs Framework Yield-based crop demand, N-Credits & UC research Entry Tabs Reports Buttons 18

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20 CASP Mapping Tool Find Location Pan Zoom 20 20

21 Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program Reportinggm ILRP Compliance Map Pre-print View Pan/Zoom Show/Hide Select Background Print Return to Report Criteria 21 21

22 CASP Online: N-Budget LIVE DEMO 22

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