How much is too much?: Managing fertilizer nutrients in high tunnel vegetable production

Through a partnership including the University of Rhode Island, the University of Connecticut, and commercial farmers, this project will monitor soil temperature, moisture, and mineralization of nitrogen and phosphorus from organic matter in established high tunnels on six farms in southern New England. Tunnels will be used for commercial tomato production, with growers following their normal practices. Samples will be collected from the crop root zone year‐round for two years. We will also monitor lateral movement of soil pore water and nutrients across the tunnel perimeter using suction lysimeters and resin capsules at the level of the plow pan. Data will be used to revise soil mineralization models and create a Nutrient Prediction Tool to assist farmers in monitoring inputs, predicting plant available nitrogen and phosphorus, and optimizing inputs to meet production goals while minimizing costs.