UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE OMB Approved 0524-0039
COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION SERVICE Expires 03/31/2004
PROPOSAL COVER PAGE
1. LEGAL NAME OF ORGANIZATION TO WHICH AWARD SHOULD BE MADEUniversity of Puerto Rico – Mayagüez Campus / 3. NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED ORGANIZATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE (AOR)
Dr. Alberto Pantoja
2. ADDRESS (Give complete mailing address and Zip Code)University of Puerto Rico
Agricultural Engineering Department, P.O. Box 9030
Mayaguez, , Puerto Rico 00681-9030 / 4. a. Telephone No.:
(787)767-9705 ext. 2068 / b. Fax Number:
(787)8329 / c. E-mail Address:
5. ADDRESS OF AOR (If different from Item 2.)
Estacion Eperimental Agricola, Oficina de Investigaciones
Apartado 21360, Rio Piedras, PR 00928
6a. TYPE OF PERFORMING ORGANIZATION (Choose 1 only)
01 USDA Agency
02 Other Federal Agency/Department 08 Private For-Profit
03 1862 Land-GrantUniversity09 Private Non-Profit
04 1890 Land-GrantUniversity (including TuskegeeUniv.)10 PublicSecondary School
05 1994 Land-GrantUniversity11 State, Local or Tribal Government
06 PrivateUniversity or College12 Individual
07 Non-Land-GrantPublicUniversity or College13x Other Land Grant Educational Institution / 6b. In addition, PLEASE CHECK ANY OF THE FOLLOWING THAT APPLY:
Alaska Native-Serving Institution
Cooperative Extension Service
Native Hawaiian-Serving Institution
XHispanic-Serving Institution
Historically BlackCollege or University (other than 1890)
School of Forestry
State Agricultural Experiment Station
TribalCollege (other than 1994)
VeterinarySchool or College
7. TITLE OF PROPOSED PROJECT (140-character maximum, including spaces)
Modeling the Effects of Lime on the Movement and Uptake of Nitrogen in Tropical Soils
8. PROGRAM TO WHICH YOU ARE APPLYING (Include Program Area and Number: Refer to Federal Register announcement or program solicitation where applicable)
T-STAR Caribbean Project Renewal for Year 2003-2004 / 9. TAX IDENTIFICATION NO. (TIN)
66-0433761 / 10. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT NO.
36
11. DUNS NO. (Data Universal Numbering System)
175303262 / 12. PROPOSED START DATE
10/1/2004 / 13. DURATION REQUESTED (No. of months)
12
14. TYPE OF REQUEST (Check only one)
New x Renewal Supplement Resubmission Resubmitted Renewal
Continuing Increment PD Transfer [PRIOR USDA Award No. ______] / 15.FEDERAL FUNDS REQUESTED (From Form CSREES-2004)
$29,605
16. PROJECT DIRECTOR (PD)
Eric W. Harmsen
/ 17. PD BUSINESS ADDRESS (INCLUDE DEPARTMENT/ZIP CODE)University of Puerto Rico
Agricultural Engineering Department, P.O. Box 9030
Mayaguez, , Puerto Rico 00681-9030
18.a. PD Phone No.:
(787)834-2575 / b. PD Fax No.:
(787)265-3853 / c. PD E-mail Address:
19.CO-PD(s) NAME / TELEPHONE NUMBER / E-MAIL ADDRESS
Miguel Muñoz
/ (787)317-7945 /20.IF THIS IS A RESEARCH PROJECT, WILL IT INVOLVE RECOMBINANT DNA, HUMAN SUBJECTS, OR LIVING VERTEBRATE ANIMALS?
X No Yes (If yes, complete Form CSREES-2008) / 21.WILL THIS PROJECT BE SENT OR HAS IT BEEN SENT TO OTHER FUNDING AGENCIES, INCLUDING OTHER USDA AGENCIES?
X No Yes (If yes, list Agency acronym(s) & program(s))
By signing and submitting this proposal, the applicant is providing the required certifications set forth in 7 CFR Part 3017, as amended, regarding Debarment and Suspension and Drug-Free Workplace;
and 7 CFR Part 3018 regarding Lobbying. Submission of the individual forms is not required. (Please read the Certifications included in this booklet before signing this form.) In addition, the applicant certifies that the information contained herein is true and complete to the best of its knowledge and accepts as to any award the obligation to comply with the terms and conditions of the Cooperative
State Research, Education and Extension Service in effect at the time of the award.
SIGNATURE OF PROJECT DIRECTOR(S) (All PDs listed in blocks 16 or 19 must sign if they are to be included in award documents.) / DATE
SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED ORGANIZATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE (Same as Item 3) / DATE
SIGNATURE (OPTIONAL USE) / DATE
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0524-0039. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 3.00 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Form CSREES-2002 (12/2000) Page A
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION SERVICE
NATIONAL RESEARCH INITIATIVE COMPETITIVE GRANTS PROGRAM
TABLE OF CONTENTS
To be placed immediately after the Application for Funding Cover Page (Form CSREES-661)
Section / Total # of Pages in Section / Page #A.Application for Funding Cover Page
(Form CSREES-2002) / 1 / i
B.Table of Contents / 1 / this page
C.Project Summary (Form CSREES-2003) / 1 / iii
D. Competitive Renewal Progress Report / 13 / 1
E.Literature Cited / 1 / 16
F.Facilities and Equipment / 1 / 16
G.Vitae and Publication List(s) / 4 / 18
H.Collaborative Arrangements (letter of support) / 1 / 22
I.CSREES form 2004, Budget for the 3rd year / 1 / 23
JBudget Narrative / 1 / 24
K.CSREES form 2005, Current and Pending Support / 2 / 25
L.CSREES form 2006, Compliance with EPA / 1 / 27
M.CSREES form 2008, Assurance / 1 / 29
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUREOMB Approved 0524-0039
Expires 03/31/2004
COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION SERVICE
PROPOSAL TYPEProject Director(s) (PD): / For National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Proposals Only
[ ] Standard Research Proposal
[ ] Conference
[ ] AREA Award
[ ] Postdoctoral
[ ] New Investigator
Strengthening:
[ ] Career Enhancement
[ ] Equipment
[ ] Seed Grant
[ ] Standard Strengthening
PD Eric Harmsen Institution University of Puerto Rico
CO-PD Miguel Muñoz Institution University of Puerto Rico
CO-PD Institution
CO-PD Institution
Project Title:Modeling the Effects of Lime on the Movement and Uptake of Nitrogen in Tropical Soils
Key Words: Modeling, nitrogen, transport, nitrate, retention, adsorption, lime, acid soil / For Higher Education Program Proposals Only:
Need Area:
Discipline:
The goal of this project is to develop a conceptual model for ammonium and nitrate nitrogen sorption, as influenced by pH, and to translate the conceptual model into a field-scale numerical model. Soil samples will be collected from sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) plots located at Isabela, PR, for ammonium and nitrate nitrogen sorption and release analysis in the laboratory. The variably saturated flow and solute transport model HYDRUS-2D will be modified to handle reactions associated with the nitrogen cycle and algorithms will be added to implement the adsorption relationships derived in the laboratory. The laboratory-derived parameters, along with water content and nitrogen data collected over two complete growing seasons, from plots located in Isabela, PR, will be used to calibrate the modified version of HYDRUS-2D. Data from Yr-2 will be used to validate the computer model. Using the calibrated/validated model, hypothetical simulations will be performed to determine the optimal management of lime and nitrogen fertilizer.
During Yr 1, field data were collected, not all of which has been analyzed yet. Data collected included: climate data, soil moisture content, soil nitrogen (nitrate and ammonium), and plant growth data. Soil samples were collected and analyzed for various physical and chemical properties. Preliminary results from the field study were presented at the 38th Annual Meeting of the Caribbean Food Crop Society in Martinique, and published in the conference proceedings (paper attached). Results of Yr 1 were also presented in a poster presented at the 2002 Annual Meeting of the Puerto Rican Society of Agricultural Scientists in Aguadilla, PR.
Prior to the first crop season, soil analysis for pH was conducted and lime was applied to the lime treatment field plots. However, possibly due to the high drainage capacity of the Coto Clay, the soil did not respond to the addition of lime as expected. Consequently, a significant difference in soil nitrate concentrations was not observed throughout the season between the two lime treatments. This problem has been address in the Yr 2 field study. Modifications of the HYDRUS-2D model were initiated during December, 2002; and soils were obtained for the batch nitrogen adsorption study. Thus far, during Yr 2, preliminary adsorption studies have been conducted for nitrate; the Yr 2 sweet pepper crop was planted in late January and data collection has begun; Yr 1 field data analysis will is being completed; and the work of modifying the computer model continues.
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0524-0039. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average .50 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Form CSREES-2003 (12/2000)
1
Tropical/Subtropical Agriculture Research
The T-STAR Program
T-STAR-Caribbean
Competitive Renewal Progress Report
T-STAR-Caribbean ●T-STAR-Pacific ○
Project Beginning Date /Date of this report
October 1, 2001/ Feb. 13, 2002
Project PI & Institution /Project Co-PI & Institution
Eric W. Harmsen, University of Puerto RicoMiguel Munoz, University of Puerto Rico
Project Cooperators & Institutions
Dr. Dorota Haman, University of Florida
Project Title:
Modeling the Effects of Lime on the Movement and Uptake of Nitrogen in Tropical Soils
CRIS Acquisition #:
Funds Received to Date
Yr 1: $29,892 Yr 2:$29,936 Total: $59,828
Results of Research (From Project Beginning Date to Current Date)
Table 1 shows the project schedule by project tasks. During this firstyear, objectives 1 through 5 were to be completed. The Yr 1 objectives included: 1. Project Initiation; 2. Modify HYDRUS-2D; 3. Collect Soils for Laboratory Study; 4. Conduct Soil Physical Property Analysis; 5. and Conduct Year 1 field study.
During the secondyear, objectives 6 through 9 are to be completed. At the date of this submission (Feb/2003), we are currently in the 2nd quarter of the second year of the project.The Yr 2 objectives included: 6. First Year Model Calibration; 7. Conduct Adsorption Analysis; 8. First Year Model Validation; 9. Second YearField Study.
Table 1. Project ScheduleNo. / TASK / Fall 2001 / Spring 2002 / Sum. 2002 / Fall 2002 / Spring 2003 / Sum. 2003 / Fall 2003 / Spring 2004 / Sum. 2004
1 / Project Initiation / X
2 / Modify HYDRUS-2D / X / X / X / X
3 / Collect soils for lab studies / X / X
4 / Conduct soil physical and chemical property analsyses / X / X
5 / Yr 1 field study / X / X
6 / Yr 1 model calibration / X / X
7 / Conduct adsoption analysis / X / X / X / X
8 / Yr 1 model validatoin / X
9 / Yr 2 field study / X / X
10 / Yr 2 model calibration / X / X
11 / Yr 2 model validation / X
12 / Perform Hypothetical Simulations / X
13 / Write Papers and Final Report / X / X
Objective 1. Initiate Project
Results:
This phase of the project consisted of detailed planning of the laboratory and field studies.
In this task, several areas of the Isabela Experiment Station were considered for possible study areas. Soil samples were collected from each area and analyzed for soil pH. The experimental design was developed for the field study. Figure 1 shows the layout of the field experiment. The statistical design is a randomized block design. Treatments include lime and no lime, and two nitrogen fertigation levels. The area of the experimental plots is approximately ¼ acre. Individual plots measure 24-ft wide by 30-ft long. Detailed data were collected from plots Block 2 L-F2
and Block 3 NL-F1 for use in the computer model development.
Figure 1. Experimental Layout. Detailed data were collected from plots Block 2 L-F2
and Block 3 NL-F1 for use in the computer model development.
Consultations were conducted with Dr. Dorota Haman of the Agricultural Engineering Department, University of Florida at Gainesville, FL, regarding various aspects of the project. Dr. Haman provided an initial design of the irrigation system and recommended various components necessary for achieving good water and nitrogen uniformity. Discussions with Dr. Haman regarding the computer model development were especially valuable. These discussions involved the specific placement and type of data collection equipment. Problems associated with the selection of model initial and boundary conditions were discussed and resolved. Detailed discussions were conducted regarding the implementation of the nitrogen retention study.
Objective 2. Modify HYDRUS-2D
Results:
HYDRUS-2D is the computer code that will be used to simulate water flow and nitrogen transport in the soil. A copy of the source code has been obtained from the U.S.D.A. Soil Salinity Laboratory. Planned modifications to the model will include:
- Incorporate an algorithm relating pH to ammonium and nitrate adsorption, as determined from the laboratory studies.
- Modify the code to handle the nitrogen cycle based on reaction rate equations presented by Davidson et al. (1978).
Modifications to the computer code were initiated in December, 2002, with the purchase of the Lahey FORTRAN 95 language compiler.
- The regression equations which describe nitrogen partitioning as a function of pH are not yet available from the nitrogen retention study (modification 1). It is anticipated that the partition analysis (batch study) will be complete by April 2003, at which time the functional relationships will be incorporated into the HYDRUS-2D code. Initial adsorption results are presented under Objective 7 below.
- Incorporation of a more realistic nitrogen cycle into the computer code is currently underway.
- An additional modification to the model is needed that was not anticipated in the project proposal. Because HYDRUS-2D is limited to a single type of atmospheric boundary condition, currently it is not possible to simulate the presence of the plastic sheeting in combination with the uncovered furrows. This problem is described in more detail under Objective 6 below.
Objective 3. Collect Soils for Laboratory Study
Results:
Three areas of the Isabela Experiment Station were evaluated for suitability for our study. By definition, a suitable site is one in which the soil pH between 4.5 and 5.5. The final area selected had soil pH values in this range (see Table 2, CaCO3 application rate of 0 tons/acre).
An analysis was conducted to determine the lime application rate needed to raise the soil pH to a value of 6.5. Samples were oven dried and sieved to pass a 2 mm screen. On January 11,2002, the four soil samples from the selected site were treated with amounts of lime equivalent to 0, 2.3, 4.5, 9, 13.5 and 15 tons/ha (0, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 tons per acre) of CaCO3 and allowed to incubate for 13 days. They were then tested for pH on a 1:1 ratio with water. The results shown in Table 2 indicate that an amount of CaCO3 equivalent to approximately 3 tons per are required to raise pH levels close to the desired 6.5. The required amount of lime to be applied in each plot in the field was calculated in the following manner:
Loading = 3 tons/acre = 0.138 lb/ft2 (6.74 ton/ha)
Plot area = 24ft 30ft = 720ft2 (66.9 m2)
Loading area = 99.174lb per plot (45.1 kg/plot)
Therefore, 100lb (45.36 kg) of CaCO3 were applied in each of the plots that were assigned to be treated with lime. It was applied by hand and incorporated on February 5,2002.
Table 2. pH levels on Coto Clay soil with addition of Lime (CaCO3)
Sample / 1 / 1Depth / (cm) / 0-20 / 20-40
CaCO3 / (ton/ha) / 0.0 / 2.3 / 4.5 / 9.0 / 13.5 / 15.0 / 0.0 / 2.3 / 4.5 / 9.0 / 13.5 / 15.0
pH / Rep. 1 / 5.2 / 5.9 / 6.3 / 6.7 / 6.9 / 7.0 / 4.9 / 5.2 / 5.7 / 6.1 / 6.3 / 6.5
pH / Rep. 2 / 5.1 / 5.9 / 6.3 / 6.7 / 6.8 / 6.9 / 4.9 / 5.2 / 5.8 / 6.2 / 6.4 / 6.5
Sample / 2 / 2
pH / Rep. 1 / 5.4 / 6.1 / 6.4 / 6.6 / 6.7 / 6.8 / 4.9 / 5.3 / 5.8 / 6.3 / 6.4 / 6.6
pH / Rep. 2 / 5.4 / 6.2 / 6.4 / 6.6 / 6.8 / 6.8 / 4.9 / 5.4 / 5.8 / 6.3 / 6.5 / 6.6
Objective 4. Conduct Soil Physical and Chemical Properties Analysis
Samples of the Coto Clay soil have beenanalyzed for the following properties: textural analysis, bulk density, field capacity (in-situ analysis), saturated hydraulic conductivity, porosity, soil moisture characteristic curve (0.1 bar, 0.2 bar, 0.33 bar, 0.6 bar and 1 bar), specific surface area, aggregate stability; exchangeable cations; free iron-aluminum oxides and mineralogy.
Table 3. lists preliminary soil property data. The soil moisture values associated with different values of soil tension were obtained using a pressure plate extractor. In-situ values of field capacity were also obtained (0.44, 0.37, 0.36 and 0.38 for 0-20, 20-40, 40-60, and 60-80 cm depths, respectively). Figure 2 is a graphical representation of the soil water retention curves between 0 and 1036 cm of tension.
Table 3 Soil properties for Coto Clay at four depths.
Depth (cm) / % Sand / % Silt / % Clay / Bulk Density (gm/cm3) / Hydraulic Conductivity (cm/day) / Porosity(0 bars) / 207 cm
(0.2 bars) / 342 cm
(0.33 bars) / 777 cm
(0.7 bars) / 1036 cm
(1 bar)
0-20 / 35.1 / 19.4 / 45.6 / 1.45 / 278.8 / 0.52 / 0.36 / 0.34 / 0.34 / 0.33
20-40 / 28.7 / 1.9 / 69.4 / 1.41 / 280.3 / 0.51 / 0.47 / 0.41 / 0.41 / 0.41
40-60 / NA / NA / NA / 1.33 / 168.3 / 0.57 / 0.43 / 0.42 / 0.42 / 0.41
60-80 / NA / NA / NA / 1.35 / 133.5 / 0.49 / 0.40 / 0.39 / 0.39 / 0.38
NA not yet available
Figure 2. Preliminary soil moisture retention curves for Coto Clay soil at four depths.
X-ray diffraction analysis of Coto Clay at 0-20 and 20-40 cm confirms the presence of goethite, gibbsite and kaolinite. These clay minerals play an important role in development of anion exchange capacity in this soil at low pH. Results from the X-Ray diffraction analysis are presented in Figure 3.
Figure 3. X-Ray diffraction results for Coto Clay. Left is 0 to 20 cm depth. Right is 20 to 40 cm depth.
Measured cation exchange capacity at high and low pH values are presented in Table 4. The data will be used as part of the point of zero net charge analysis, in which anion and cation exchange capacity are evaluated over a range of pH values. The following results were obtained from the free iron oxides analysis: 18.83% for the 0-20 cm, 18.72% 20-40 cm. The specific surface area results are as follows:129.5 m2/g for the 0 - 20 cm depth and 137.9 m2/g for the 20 - 40 cm depth.
Table 4. Coto Clay cation exchange capacity for two depths at two levels of pH. Cation exchange capacity units are meq per 100 gram of soil.
Depth (cm) / Replication / Sample / pH / CEC (meq/100 gm)0 - 20 / 1 / Field Soil / 3.55 / 2.74
0 - 20 / 2 / Field Soil / 7.56 / 6.01
0 - 20 / 1 / Clay Fraction / 3.51 / 7.38
0 - 20 / 2 / Clay Fraction / 7.4 / 14.39
20 - 40 / 1 / Field Soil / 3.55 / 2.59
20 - 40 / 2 / Field Soil / 7.46 / 5.38
20 - 40 / 1 / Clay Fraction / 3.53 / 5.86
20 – 40 / 2 / Clay Fraction / 7.53 / 12.78
Soil properties that still need to be determined include: soil moisture characteristic curve at 2 bar, 5 bar 10 bar and 15 bar;point of zero net charge; anion exchange capacity; organic C; and electrical conductivity.
Objective 5. Collect first season of field data
Results: A sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) crop was planted at the UPR Experiment Station at Isabela, PR during March 2002. Figure 1 shows the experimental layout. The experimental site of 0.1 ha was divided into four blocks, each block divided into four plots, one for each treatment, for a total of sixteen plots. The plots measured 67 m2. The treatments included two lime levels (lime and no lime) and two fertigation frequencies (F1 and F2). Each plot had four beds covered with plastic (silver side exposed) with two rows of sweet pepper plants per bed. The transplanted sweet peppers were grown in rows 91 cm apart, 30 cm apart along rows, with beds 1.83 meter on center. This gave a plant population of approximately 37,000 plants per hectare. There was an initial granular application of triple super-phosphate of 224 Kg/ha and 80 Kg/ha of 10-10-10 fertilizer. Peppers were planted from March 11th through March 13th. KNO3 and urea were injected through the drip irrigation system throughout the season at different frequencies (weekly [F1] or bi-weekly [F2]). The total nitrogen applied during the season was 225 Kg/ha. After transplanting, soil samples were taken bi-weekly at 20 cm increments, down to an 80 cm depth from each plot to be analyzed for moisture content and nitrogen concentration. Each date in which soil samples were collected, whole plants were harvested for growth data. Periodic pesticide applications were made to control weeds and insects affecting crop growth.