History and Significant Contributions of the Oakes Irrigation Research Station from 1991 to Present

摘要

The Oakes Irrigation Research Station was established in 1970 to promote irrigation development within the garrison Diversion Project and to develop best management practies to be used with irrigation. After 1986, the emphasis shifted from field crops to vegetables. Studies identified vegetables adapted to irrigated production in North Dakota and helped define the agropotatoes, carrots, cabbage, daikon radish, bok choy and sweet corn produce high yields and top quality when grown under irrigation in North Dakota. Onions, tomatoes, pumpkin, winter squashm cauliflower, peppers,and asparagus also grow well. Weed control studies have helped define weed control strategies for onions, cabbage, and carrots. Carryover herbicide damage to vegetables from herbicides applied to field corn and soybean have been identified. Research at the Oakes Irrigation Research Station has provided cover crop management information so farmers can better protect soils and vegetable crops from wind and soil erosion.Potato nitrogen fertilization studies helped improve timing and reduces rates of nitrogen applied to potatoes, thus reducing nitrate leaching into the ground water. In the future, rotation and other studies will continue to improve irrigated vegetable production and will help protect the environment.