Weighing lysimeter available for research at KARE

The Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center (KARE) in Parlier is requesting proposals for new research and demonstration projects for the period Nov. 1, 2016, through Oct. 31, 2017.

Located near Fresno in the San Joaquin Valley, Kearney has 330 acres suitable for many types of tree, vine, and row crops and environmental research.

Kearney has the most extensive specialized agricultural research facilities of any off-campus location within UC: modern greenhouse, post-harvest facilities, sample handling (including cold storage and drying), sensory evaluation, soil-weighing lysimeter, and associated research laboratory facilities.

Substantial open ground, plantings of grapes, stone fruit, kiwi and alfalfa are becoming available.

Proposal forms are to be submitted electronically via the “Universal Review System” accessed through your UC ANR Portal by Sept. 30, 2016. Forms are located at http://recs.ucanr.edu/For_Researchers/Research_Proposal_Application_and_Forms/

To submit the required forms, log into https://my.ucanr.org, then click on “Login to Universal Review System.” Under “Open Systems” select “Kearney REC CALL FOR RESEARCH PROPOSALS 2016-2017.” Fill out the “New Proposal” form, then submit it by clicking the “Create Proposal” button at the bottom of the page.

Weighing lysimeter available

A soil-weighing lysimeter is available for research at KARE.

A weighing lysimeter measures water loss from plants and the surrounding soil. The lysimeter at Kearney consists of an underground chamber that houses a balance-beam weighing system, upon which rests a rectangular box measuring 6.5 feet wide by 13 feet long and 6.5 feet deep. The box is automatically weighed every hour to determine water loss.

The KARE Research Advisory Committee will review competitive proposals and recommend the assignment of the lysimeter. The approved proposal will be allocated subsidized support hours and the adjoining 3.5 acres of open ground.

Project proposals for using the lysimeter are due Sept. 30, 2016, or until it has been assigned. Project proposal forms are available on the RECS website. Applications must be submitted online.

For more information contact KARE superintendent of agriculture Chuck Boldwyn, cfboldwyn@ucanr.edu, (559) 646-6020; KARE office manager Janie Duran, njduran@ucanr.edu, (559) 646-6010; or KARE director Jeff Dahlberg, jadahlbert@ucanr.edu; (559) 646-6060.

To learn more about Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, visit http://www.kare.ucanr.edu.

Retired pomologist Scott Johnson in the underground access chamber of the weighing lysimeter.

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