The public is invited to learn from New Mexico State University researchers about saffron, chickpea crops, fruit production and more at this year's field day in Alcalde, New Mexico.
The Sustainable Agriculture Science Center at Alcalde will host the field day from 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 14 at the center, located at 371 County Road 40. The event is free and will feature wagon tours of the center's research plots, along with a walking tour, during which researchers will discuss fruit production. Lunch will be provided to attendees.
During the wagon tour, researchers will discuss integrating saffron into the small vegetable production systems of New Mexico; chickpea as a high-value, low-input sustainable specialty crop for the state; Atacama Choclero and Central Asian melons; native shrub windbreaks for fruit, shade and pollinator habitats; and herbicide trials on beans and chile.
The walking tour will focus on fruit production, including fruit tree pest management, high-tunnel stone fruit production, sustainable apple rootstocks in high-density planting, ripening considerations and grape cultivars in northern New Mexico, and jujube cultivar trials and cultivar selection in New Mexico.
"We would like to assist community members in understanding the importance of local agricultural research and present the findings of our research program focused on high-value, low-input and alternative crops that are appropriate for small farms and water-deficient conditions in north-central New Mexico," said Saeid Zehtab Salmasi, research director of the Sustainable Agriculture Science Center at Alcalde.
People with a disability who are in need of an auxiliary aid or service to participate may contact Elena Arellano at 505-852-4241 or
The full article can be seen at https://newsroom.nmsu.edu/news/nmsu-alcalde-science-center-to-host-field-day-aug.-14/s/5d89ef1e-e8b0-499e-9e55-c10c280d3522
