Almond bloom is upon us, a time when almond growers should be making their nitrogen management plans and using the in-season nitrogen budgeting model at Almonds.com/NitrogenBudgeting.
Almond trees need nitrogen (N) to form protein-rich almonds, which is why it is an essential nutrient for almond trees. However, nitrate can pose a problem to the environment, because it can leach into groundwater, or drinking water.
Nitrate leaching occurs when larger, concentrated amounts of nitrogen and/or excess water are applied. This year, growers may experience problematic excess water due to heavy rainfalls from El Niño, depending on their timing relative to N applications. In order to prevent nitrate leaching, growers should spread out N applications, applying smaller amounts of N but at a greater frequency.
Growers can receive help budgeting for nitrogen with the nitrogen budgeting calculator, a free online tool that provides private assessment of N needs to more efficiently use nitrogen, made available through the California Almond Sustainability1 Program (CASP).
In addition to refining the N demand based on tree needs, the nitrogen calculator can also help growers through the process of submitting a basic nitrogen management plan, which, under a revised Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP), all growers on irrigated farmland in the Central Valley are required to complete and submit through their regional water quality coalition.
Deadlines for initial management plans vary depending on the coalition, size of farm and vulnerability for nitrogen leaching of the operation.
This year also marks the start of reporting N applications from the previous year. Growers in the Sacramento Valley, San Joaquin County, East San Joaquin County, Westside San Joaquin River Watershed and Westlands Watershed must report how much N they applied in 2015. Growers in the rest of the Central Valley will begin to report in 2017 or 2018, depending on the size and vulnerability of the farm.
Key deliverable deadlines and contact information for Central Valley coalitions can be found on the CURES Watershed Coalition website.
1. Sustainable almond farming utilizes production practices that are economically viable and are based upon scientific research, common sense and a respect for the environment, neighbors and employees. The result is a plentiful, nutritious and safe food product.
