Crop diversity is a key tenet of sustainable agriculture. Having multiple crops that fill distinct niches in an agroecosystem improves the ability to manage weeds, diseases and insect pests as well as potentially improving the environmental performance of the cropping system. Research can help overcome production and market obstacles that enable the successful introduction of alternative crops.
Featured Publications
Concomitant phytonutrient and transcriptome analysis of mature fruit and leaf tissues of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Oregon Spring) grown using organic and conventional fertilizer
Sharpe RM, Gustafson L, Hewitt S, Kilian B, Crabb J, Hendrickson C, et al. (2020) Concomitant phytonutrient and transcriptome analysis of mature fruit and leaf tissues of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Oregon Spring) grown using organic and conventional fertilizer.
Using CropSyst to Evaluate Biochar as a Soil Amendment for Crops (PDF)
Stöckle, C.O., Pickering, N., Nelson, R. 2019. A technical report completed as part of the Waste to Fuels Technology Partnership. 22 pp.
Farmer-to-Farmer & Rancher-to-Rancher Case Studies Series
Authors include: Yorgey, G., Borrelli, K., Painter, K., Davis, H., Hall, S., Hudson, T., Neibergs, S., Reeves, M., Kruger, C., McGuire A., Finkelnburg, D., Roe, D., Brooks, E., and Kantor, S. 2016-2019. PNW Extension Publications and videos. These series explore strategies that innovative regional farmers and ranchers are using that enhance resilience to climate change and […]
Biofumigant Cover Cropping in Potatoes: Dale Gies (Farmer to Farmer Case Study Series)
Yorgey, G.G., S.I. Kantor, C.E. Kruger, K.M. Painter, H. Davis, and L.A. Bernacchi. 2017. Pacific Northwest Extension Publication 693, Pullman, WA.
Crop Residue Management (PDF)
Tao H., G. Yorgey, D. Huggins, D. Wysocki. 2017. Chapter 4 In Yorgey, G. and C. Kruger, eds. Advances in Dryland Production Systems in the Pacific Northwest. Washington State University Extension, Pullman, WA.
Precision Agriculture (PDF)
Weddell, B., T. Brown, K. Borrelli. 2017. Chapter 8 In Yorgey, G. and C. Kruger, eds. Advances in Dryland Production Systems in the Pacific Northwest. Washington State University Extension, Pullman, WA.
Rotational Diversification and Intensification (PDF)
Kirby, E., W. Pan, D. Huggins, K. Painter, P. Bista. 2017. Chapter 5 In Yorgey, G. and C. Kruger, eds. Advances in Dryland Production Systems in the Pacific Northwest. Washington State University Extension, Pullman, WA.
Grazed cover cropping: Drew Leitch (Farmer to Farmer Case Study Videos)
Yorgey, G.G., K. Borrelli, and K. Painter. 2017. Produced by Darrell Kilgore and WSU CAHNRS Communications. Pullman, WA.
Strip tillage of vegetables with livestock integration: Eric Williamson (Farmer to Farmer Case Study Videos).
Yorgey, G.G., K. Borrelli, A. McGuire, and K. Painter. 2017. Produced by Darrell Kilgore and CAHNRS Communications. Pullman, WA.
Management to Reduce Nitrous Oxide Emissions in Organic Vegetable Production Systems
Cogger, C., A. Fortuna, D. Collins. Feb 27, 2014. The second of a two-part webinar series.
Why the Concern about Nitrous Oxide Emissions?
Cogger, C., A. Fortuna, D. Collins. Feb 25, 2014. The first of a two-part webinar series.
Life cycle assessment of the potential carbon credit from no- and reduced-tillage winter wheat-based cropping systems in Eastern Washington State
Zaher, U, C. Stockle, K. Painter, S. Higgins. Agricultural Systems. November 2013. Volume 122, pages 73-78.
Organic Farming Footprints
WSU webpage for the OFoot project, working to provide a scientifically sound yet simple estimation of the carbon and nitrogen sequestration and net greenhouse gas (GHG) balance likely in a given organic cropping system scenario.
Dryland Organic Agriculture in the PNW: Meeting Opportunities and Challenges
At the Tilth Producers of Washington Conference in November 2011, WSU hosted a Dryland Organic Agriculture Symposium. The presentations and keynote from that symposium were recorded and are now available for online viewing. This special symposium addressed agronomic and economic issues specific to dryland organic production. Speakers and attendees came from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Also, […]
WSU Vegetable Research and Extension
Vegetable crop production and alternative crop development such as edamame, wasabi, bamboo, and organic seed production. Work is targeted for both small-scale and large commercial growers, with emphasis on organic production. Links include new fact sheets and information on grafted vegetables http://vegetables.wsu.edu/graftingVegetables.html .
High Residue Farming under Irrigation
Andy McGuire, Agricultural Systems Educator WSU Extension. Program website.
Additional Publications
Conventionalization, civic engagement, and the sustainability of organic agriculture
Goldberger, J. 2011. Journal of Rural Studies 27(3):288-296.
Organic Vineyard Establishment: Trellis and Planting Stock Considerations – June 2010 (PDF)
Article in Sustaining the Pacific Northwest Newsletter
Precision Conservation: site-specific trade-offs of harvesting wheat residues for biofuel feedstocks
Huggins, D.R., & Kruger, C.E. (2010). In R. Khosia (Ed.), Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Precision Agriculture. 10th International Conference on Precision Agriculture, Denver, CO. Colorado State University.
Field Heterogeneity of Soil Organic Carbon and Relationships to Soil Properties and Terrain Attributes (PDF)
Chapter 14 in Climate Friendly Farming: Improving the Carbon Footprint of Agriculture in the Pacific Northwest. Full report available at http://csanr.wsu.edu/pages/Climate_Friendly_Farming_Final_Report/.
Site-Specific N Management for Direct-Seed Cropping Systems (PDF)
Chapter 16 in Climate Friendly Farming: Improving the Carbon Footprint of Agriculture in the Pacific Northwest. Full report available at http://csanr.wsu.edu/pages/Climate_Friendly_Farming_Final_Report/.
Yield, Protein and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Spring Wheat: Evaluating Field-Scale Performance (PDF)
Chapter 17 in Climate Friendly Farming: Improving the Carbon Footprint of Agriculture in the Pacific Northwest. Full report available at http://csanr.wsu.edu/pages/Climate_Friendly_Farming_Final_Report/.
An Economic Analysis of the Potential for Carbon Credits to Improve Profitability of Conservation Tillage Systems Across Washington State (PDF)
Chapter 24 in Climate Friendly Farming: Improving the Carbon Footprint of Agriculture in the Pacific Northwest. Full report available at http://csanr.wsu.edu/pages/Climate_Friendly_Farming_Final_Report/. Economic Enterprise Budgets for Conservation Tillage Systems in Washington State. Appendix A: Lind Conventional and Reduced Tillage Appendix B: St. John Conventional Tillage Appendix C: St. John No Tillage Appendix D: Pullman Conventional Tillage […]
Potential for a Sugar Beet Ethanol Industry in Washington State (PDF)
A Report to the Washington State Department of Agriculture. School of Economic Sciences. WSU. March 2009
Organic Alfalfa Management Guide (PDF)
This new extension bulletin is an excellent resource for growers interested in producing organic alfalfa, both irrigated and dryland. Alfalfa provides an excellent transitional crop for those interested in organic production of other crops as well. This guide includes a great deal of information on managing weeds, pests and diseases, and includes a small section […]
Growing Grains and Dry Beans in Whatcom County: Expanding the Potential for Local Foods Production in Northwest Washington – March 2009 (PDF)
Article in Sustaining the Pacific Northwest Newsletter
Browse all Alternative Crops & Cropping Systems Publications
External Links
- eXtension
- Long-Term Management Effects on Soil Productivity and Crop Yield in Semi-Arid Regions of Eastern Oregon
- National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA) Master Publications List
- Plant and Life Sciences Publishing
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