Linking fertiliser recommendations to nutrient use efficiency and crop productivity on Labrador farms; role of soil carbon

Farming on lands converted from boreal forest is challenged by the low fertility, high acidity and metal toxicity of their soils. Soil organic matter mitigates loss of fertility and facilitates retention and use efficiency of nutrients added with fertilisers. Fertilisers are the most expensive inputs for the farms in the region. Currently there is no fertiliser recommendation system that has been specifically calibrated for such lands. This project will integrate a full cropping cycle assessment of carbon and nutrients for a first-time calibration of nutrient usage for farmlands on lands converted from boreal forest. A full assessment of the carbon pools in a new, just-converted farm will be used for the establishment of a baseline that can support long term monitoring and calibration of crop management decisions.

Faculty Supervisor:

Adrian Unc

Student:

Partner:

John and Judy Bragg Family Foundation

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture

University:

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Program: