IMPACT OF MEADOWFOAM ON NITROGEN CYCLING IN GRASS SEED CROPPING SYSTEMS

This research aims to bridge fundamental science and applied research to better understand N cycling management in agroecosystems. Specifically, this work aims to understand how meadowfoam modifies N cycling and storage within grass seed fields in the Willamette Valley, Oregonand to explore meadowfoam's potential as a viable cover crop in other agricultural regions.The project's objectives are threefold:(1) To investigate whether meadowfoam recruits free-living N-fixing microbes (i.e., diazotrophs) to the rhizosphere, thereby promoting biological N fixation and nitrogen accumulation.(2)To investigate if meadowfoam produces secondary metabolites (glucosinolates hydrolyzed to isothiocyanates) that facilitate biological nitrification inhibition and promote N accumulation due to reduced N loss.(3)To study meadowfoam's potential as aN-conservingcrop, either as an independent cover crop or within leguminous cover crop mixtures.