NMSU, USDA to host field day at Los Lunas Ag Science Center

LOS LUNAS—Many horticulture questions are being answered through research conducted at the agricultural experiment station and plant material center at 1036 Miller Road in Los Lunas.

New Mexico State University College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service researchers conduct studies on agronomics and horticulture crops, and sustainable farming practices for the middle Rio Grande Valley, central New Mexico and the Southwest.

The center will host a free field day on Thursday, Aug. 15, to share information about the research being conducted. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with field tours beginning at 9 a.m. Lunch will be provided.

Some of the work being done at the farm includes:

• Creating pollinator habitat with native plants

• Grape varieties, trellising and other mysteries of New Mexico viticulture

• Healthy soils, healthy you – mineral depletion of our food, how many servings of vegetables are enough.

• Alfalfa and pasture research program

• Predicting crop drought stress in the field with above and below ground monitoring

• Sustainable bio-economy for arid region – prospects of growing guar in Valencia County

• Removing sand burr sees with recycled burlap

• Weed management in chile production

• Utilizing cover crops for soil improvement and weed management

• Jujube fruit production

• Brassicaceae biofumigation for weeds and soil-borne diseases in chile peppers

Individuals with disability needing auxiliary aid or service to participate, contact Candace Salazar before Aug. 8, at 865-7340 or llunas@nmsu.edu, so service may be provided.