Date of Award:
5-2016
Document Type:
Dissertation
Degree Name:
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department:
Plants, Soils, and Climate
Committee Chair(s)
Jennifer Reeve
Committee
Jennifer Reeve
Committee
Earl Creech
Committee
Tom Monaco
Committee
Grant Cardon
Committee
Ian Burke
Abstract
Most of the western United States faces increasing water shortages in the coming years, that will present a major challenge for maintaining sustainable farms. Incorporating an alternative crop that is well adapted to projected changes in climate could be a successful approach to increasing the sustainability of farms in the region. Quinoa, Chenopodium quinoa Willd., may be an ideal alternative crop to meet the demands of the Intermountain West. Before widespread adoption of this novel crop can occur, best management strategies need to be documented. This paper provides research on cropping systems, irrigation rates, and weed competition with quinoa. Additionally, the impacts of prior cropping history and compost addition on soil health parameters are presented. Seed set across all field trials was hindered by peak summer temperatures above 32°C, a known temperature sensitivity threshold for flowering. Therefore, further work to select adapted varieties for the region must be accomplished before widespread adoption is feasible. An integrated approach involving a locally adapted novel crop and soil health protection promises to increase future farm sustainability.
Checksum
ca699ee59aceec239113e19a2e1d8cfa
Recommended Citation
Buckland, Kristine R., "Increasing the Sustainability of Utah Farms by Incorporating Quinoa as a Novel Crop and Protecting Soil Health" (2016). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 5052.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/5052
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