Lind Dryland Research Station > Current Research

Current Research

Here are some of the current research projects being conducted here at the Lind Station.

Live Feed Field Cam

This is a live feed on YouTube showing the current crop conditions on a field here at the Lind Station. This is sponsored by the Washington Grain Commission.

Biosolids being applied in a field.

Biosolids Research

Although the direct benefits from continuous applications have been studied extensively, research-based information on legacy benefits of biosolids is limited, especially for low rainfall region of Pacific Northwest. The overarching objectives of the study are:
1. To assess the long-term legacy benefits of biosolids on soil carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas emissions, nutrient supply, microbial health, and overall soil health. 
2. To understand the deep soil carbon sequestration via depth wise total carbon and carbon fractions.
PI: Surendra Singh and Shikha Singh
Funding agency: Northwest Biosolids
Camelina field.

Camelina Research

Over 400 camelina lines are being tested under low and high nitrogen conditions for suitability in wheat-camelina based cropping system in dryland region.  
PI: Tim Paulitz and Surendra Singh
Variety Testing Plots.

Cereal Variety Testing Program

The WSU Extension Cereal Variety Testing Program conducts variety trials at 42 locations throughout Eastern Washington including at the Lind Dryland Research Station. Trials planted at Lind compare commercial varieties and advanced breeding lines of soft white winter, hard red winter, soft white spring, and hard red spring wheat. The primary goal of the program is to produce comprehensive, reliable, and unbiased data for growers, agribusiness industry, university researchers and other clientele to use and make informed decisions. The use of sound statistical methodology and uniform testing procedures allow for the comparison of varieties both within and across environments.
PI: Clark Neely
Weeds in a field.

Weed Research

Weeds are a major pest in the dryland wheat production systems of Eastern Washington. They compete with crops for valuable water, nutrients, and light. Recent weed science research conducted at the Lind Dryland Research Station has focused on Russian thistle control in wheat, after wheat harvest, and during fallow. We have also investigated broadleaf weed management in winter pea. See related publications in the Weed Control section on our Publications page.
PI: Drew Lyon
Two men in a field.

Winter Wheat Breeding

The Winter Wheat Breeding and Genetics Program at Washington State University remains committed to developing high yielding, disease resistant, and high end-use quality cultivars to maintain sustainability of production. Our program utilizes research from graduate students to identify new tools and techniques to improve selection efficiency. We have been investigating genomic selection efforts and have found them very useful to remove lines from the breeding program which do not hold potential for cultivar release. This technique also allows us to evaluate lines on their genetic potential, when phenotypic trait data is not available, like for end-use quality during first year yield trials and for years when disease is not present.
PI: Arron Carter