Development of a Nutrient Database for the Lower Fraser Valley

Project Lead: Dr. Sean Smukler

Research Overview:

The Lower Fraser Valley (LFV) is one of the most intensive areas of commercial agricultural production in British Columbia. While the intensive production results in a substantial proportion of the Province’s agricultural economy it also produces quantities of manure that if not managed carefully can have adverse impacts on groundwater (Liebscher et al, 1992) and surface water quality (Hutton, 1987). To determine an appropriate manure application rate, it is critical to know crop demands, soil nutrient status and the nutrient content of manure. Having accurate data readily available to agricultural producers will help them in their planning to meet crop requirements and maximize yields, thus optimizing economic benefits while minimizing environmental impacts. This project will gather information from literature for British Columbia and from field analysis of crop yield and nutrient concentrations for various crop and manure types in the LFV. Crop and manure nutrient content will be determined through traditional laboratory procedures and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The final nutrient database will be available to producers.

Photos: please visit the project photo page to see photos of our field work and analysis in progress.

Progress:

Site Selection: A total of 50 farms will be sampled to develop a crop nutrient database for the following crops: blueberries, green beans, potatoes, sweet corn, forage corn, forage grass, alfalfa, alfalfa/grass mix, carrots, squash/pumpkins. From that, 33 farms have been selected. A total of 16 sites will be selected to sample treated dairy (either liquid or solid), beef, poultry and horse manure.

Data Collection: Crop sampling to determine yields and nutrient content began in September 2013 and will continue until November 2013. Manure sampling to determine nutrient content will begin in late November and be completed by December 2013. In addition, a draft literature review has been completed with crop and manure nutrient data from past research.

Lab and data analysis: Crop yield, moisture content and nutrient analysis preparation began in September 2013 and will continue until November 2013. Prepared crop and manure samples will be sent to the M.B. Laboratories Ltd. to be analyzed for N, P, and K in January 2014. In addition, samples will be scanned on the SAL Lab’s high throughput TENSOR 37 Fourier Transformed Infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer (Bruker Biosciences Corporation) for both mid and near infrared spectroscopy. Calibration of the spectra will be developed to determine N, P, and K content of samples using results from the traditional analysis from the M.B. Laboratories Ltd.  The final nutrient database will be completed by March 2014.

Research Assistants

The following Land and Food Systems undergraduate students have assisted with this project:

References:

• Hutton, Karen. 1987. Lower Fraser Valley Agricultural Waste Management Survey. Prepared by Karen Hutton, Biological Consultant for BC Ministry of Environment and Parks.
• Liebscher, Hugh, Basil Hii and Duane McNaughton. 1992. Nitrates and Pesticides in the Abbotsford Aquifer, Southwestern British Columbia. Environment Canada.