Field Crops

The agricultural areas of Newe Ya’ar Research Center are located in the western part of the Jezreel Valley, an area characterized by heavy soil and an average of 570 mm of precipitation per annum. In Newe Ya’ar we use only secondary quality reclaimed water (not tertiary quality which are higher quality), and therefore field crops intended for the food industry cannot be grown. It is therefore determined that the crop cycle will consist of the following crops approved by the Ministry of Health for crops irrigated with secondary quality reclaimed water: Corn for forage, Chickpea and Sunflower for grains. In addition, non-irrigated winter crops will be incorporated into the crop cycle – wheat forage / wheat for grains and vicia mixed with clover for hay. These crops are characteristic of the segmental crop cycle in our region and therefore relevant to incorporate them into the crop cycle of the model farm

The 85-acre area designated for field crops in the Model Farm is divided into 3 subdivisions:
1. Plot for examining and demonstrating precision agriculture approaches with differential and spatial application. This 25 acre plot is divided into 20 plots of 1-2 acre. This division enables a variety of inputs such as fertilizer and water applied differentially based on interface areas that defined after analyzing information that produced in a variety of close and remote sensing tools and technologies.

2. Plot for examining base treatments that compare organic matter supplements at different treatment levels with different soil processing methods. This 50-acre plot is divided into 20 acres of 2.5 acres with margins around each plot. The four tested treatments are: (1) organic addition of semi-stabilized cow manure vs. (2) organic addition of compost, (3) minimum tillage approach vs. (4) zero tillage approach with winter service crops. Each of the treatments has five repetitions in a randomized block trial structure.

3. Plot to examine new forage crops. In this 10-acre section, we examine and present a variety of crops that may be incorporated into the crop cycle and serve as new forage crops. Among other crops to be examined are moringa, sesame seeds, scabious and quinoa. Also, in this section, strain tests in common commercial crops in our area will be conducted.

In addition, the field crop area on its eastern side is bordered by Nahalal stream. Between the experimental plots and the stream channel, a 15-20 meter-wide buffer strip was defined that would allow for agroecological conceptions that address the interface points between agricultural areas and open ecosystems.