Establishing a participatory research network for drought-tolerant corn production in the Pacific Northwest

View the project final report

Commodities

• Agronomic: corn

Practices

• Crop Production: crop improvement and selection, drought tolerance, water management

The Western United States is projected to be increasingly impacted by severe drought in the coming decades, so our agricultural production systems must adapt by limiting over-reliance on unsustainable irrigation practices. Dry farming is a method of producing crops without irrigation through the arid growing season, by accessing soil moisture retained from the wet season, through soil water conservation practices and using appropriate crop varieties.

The Oregon State University (OSU) Dry Farming Project (Corvallis, OR) and eleven participating producers across Oregon and Washington worked together to establish a participatory research network for sustainable corn production in the Pacific Northwest. Building upon drought tolerant corn research conducted by the OSU Dry Farming Project, this growing research network strives to provide the Pacific Northwest public with greater access to diverse corn varieties suitable for our region, and to help ensure that local production of this valuable staple crop is both environmentally and economically sustainable.

Our research team produced: (i) seed for an improved, drought-tolerant selection of Open Oak Party Mix dent corn (ii) breeding evaluations for Oaxacan Green dent corn and Dakota Black popcorn breeding lines, (iii) an analysis of dry farmed vs. irrigated corn production (iv) a preliminary assessment of how soil type and soil conservation methods affect dry farming success, and (v) established a research network for drought tolerant corn production that connects producers with consumers, culinary experts, breeders and seed stewards in the Pacific Northwest region.

Research Objectives

1. Evaluate the dry farmed performance of three field corn varieties across multiple sites in Oregon and Washington
2. Advance ongoing breeding efforts to improve the drought tolerance and culinary quality of select corn varieties
3. Compare dry farmed versus irrigated corn production, including costs and benefits associated with water inputs, labor, and yield
4. Test how no-till soil conservation methods impact dry farmed corn yield, soil water retention, and soil health measures

Educational Objectives

1. Facilitate an educational exchange between agricultural professionals, producers, and farming-based organizations, focused on sustainable corn production in the PNW
2. Connect corn producers with culinary experts and consumers to expand marketing potential of dry farmed corn
3. Establish a formal participatory research network that can be built upon in future years