Kevin Murphy
Buckwheat is a common summer cover crop in western Washington (WWA) that provides exceptional weed suppression and pollinator support to crop rotations. However, buckwheat is rarely grown to seed in WWA due to lack of access to high performing and characterized varieties. Release of high-yielding public varieties could transform the value of buckwheat in rotation, […]
Our proposed work directly addresses the Sustaining Health Grand Challenge through the initiation of the first collaborative study between CAHNRS and ESFCOM, utilizing our Soil to Society research pipeline: including plant breeding and varietal development for nutritional characteristics and evaluating effectiveness in improving human health and well-being. Novel barley varieties high in the soluble fiber […]
This research project was initiated to provide regional agronomic and end-use data for specialty barley producers and end-users in western Washington, and to evaluate for the impact of barley variety on distillate and beer flavor compounds. The long-term aim of the project is to cultivate high-value markets for grain based on distinctive end-use qualities such […]
The popularity of quinoa in the past decade has quadrupled prices at U.S. retail outlets. For all this demand, the vast majority of the quinoa consumed in the U.S. is imported from Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador, with 65% of the quinoa sold in the U.S. being organic. This project hopes to increase organic quinoa production […]
Barley has well-documented nutritional advantages over other small grains as a source of human food. Researchers from WSU have been breeding and selecting hulless food barley types, a novel and promising market class for Washington growers. For this current project, our research and extension goals are to: 1) identify and release high yielding, disease resistant, […]
Quinoa (pronounced keen-wa) is a nutritious and broadly adapted grain crop in high demand in the US. However, very little information is available to farmers regarding regionally adapted varieties, best management practices, or marketing options for quinoa. Additionally, the current quinoa supply from the traditional quinoa producing Andean countries (Bolivia, Peru, Chile, and Ecuador) is […]
Quinoa is a highly nutritious and broadly adapted grain crop in high demand in the US and particularly in the Pacific Northwest region. However, very little is known about appropriate varieties and farming practices, including irrigation needs, fertility requirements and potential intercropping strategies to help control weeds and provide supplemental nitrogen. Our project would primarily […]
The objective of this research is to evaluate advanced wheat breeding lines in organic systems for potential variety release to farmers in the Palouse region of Washington State. In 2012, two market classes in particular were evaluated: soft white winter wheat and winter spelt. The 2011-2012 field trials provided yield and test weight data for […]
This project focuses on three alternative grain crops (buckwheat, quinoa and winter spelt) that were identified by organic farmers in Washington State as unique in their potential to diversify and improve existing small to mid-scale farming systems. Buckwheat, quinoa and spelt have the potential, to differing extents, to: diversify cropping systems with under-represented grain crops […]
The objective of this proposed research was to determine the relationship between agroecological factors (including climatic conditions, soil characteristics and wheat variety) and value-added traits (including nutritional content, yield in organic systems and baking quality) for wheat in Washington State. Using this information, we will develop agronomic strategies and value-added marketing options that focus on […]