Research Project: Improving Soil and Water Productivity and Quality in Irrigated Cropping Systems

Location: Water Management Research

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

Establishment and productivity of nectarine top-grafted over mature peach under furrow, drip, and micro-spray irrigation - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Drew, P.L., Wang, D. 2026. Establishment and productivity of nectarine top-grafted over mature peach under furrow, drip, and micro-spray irrigation. Irrigation Science. 44. Article 112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-026-01152-y.

Benefits, management, and adoption of whole orchard recycling in agricultural fields - (Peer Reviewed Journal)

Differences and mechanisms of selenocysteine and selenomethionine binding to cadmium in soil and rice grains - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Niu, S., Farooq, M., Li, M., Song, J., Wang, Z., Danso, O., Yin, X., Liu, X., Banuelos, G.S., Zhang, Z. 2026. Differences and mechanisms of selenocysteine and selenomethionine binding to cadmium in soil and rice grains. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis. 155. Article 109248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2026.109248.

Four years after whole orchard recycling: Effects on soil ecosystem services in young almond orchard - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Thao, T., Gao, S., Culumber, C.M., Poret-Peterson, A.T., Perez-Sandoval, J.C., Holtz, B.A. 2026. Four years after whole orchard recycling: Effects on soil ecosystem services in young almond orchard. Vadose Zone Journal. 25(3). Article e70099. https://doi.org/10.1002/vzj2.70099.

Bioenergy cropping reduces the spatiotemporal scaling of soil bacterial biodiversity - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ye, Z., Kuang, J., Bates, C., Escalas, A., Ning, S., Wu, L., Liu, S., Deng, S., Lei, J., Chen, X., Pett-Ridge, J., Saha, M., Hale, L.E., Wang, G., Tian, R., Fu, Y., Tang, Y., Firestone, M., Zhou, J., Yang, Y. 2026. Bioenergy cropping reduces the spatiotemporal scaling of soil bacterial biodiversity. Advanced Science. 13(29). Article 18964. https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202518964.

Phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of pistachio seed coats at different tree ages under saline irrigation conditions - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Chirenje, T., Chavez, R., Rijal, S., Arroyo, I.S., Banuelos, G.S., Sommerhalter, M. 2025. Phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of pistachio seed coats at different tree ages under saline irrigation conditions. Agronomy. 15(12). Article 2816. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15122816.

Long-term manure fertilization enhances red soil organic carbon storage - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Zou, H., Lu, C., Zhang, L., Xu, M., Duan, Y., Hale, L.E. 2025. Long-term manure fertilization enhances red soil organic carbon storage. Applied Soil Ecology. 217. Article 106644. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2025.106644.

Strigolactone GR24 modulates citrus root architecture and rhizosphere microbiome under nitrogen and phosphorus deficiency - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Soliman, S., Rezk, A., Rocha, F., Rodriguez Ramos, J.C., Manoharan, B., Wang, Y., Han, Z., Hale, L.E., El-kereamy, A. 2025. Strigolactone GR24 modulates citrus root architecture and rhizosphere microbiome under nitrogen and phosphorus deficiency. BMC Plant Biology. 25. Article 1569. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-07515-5.

Amplifying organic phosphorus availability in agriculture by Nanobiocatalysts: Opportunities and risks for soil ecosystems - (Review Article)
Guarda-Reyes, M., Sabs-Serramitjana, E., Rumpel, C., Hale, L.E., Calabi-Floody, M., Mora, M. 2025. Amplifying organic phosphorus availability in agriculture by Nanobiocatalysts: Opportunities and risks for soil ecosystems. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition. 25:8739-8752. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-025-02690-8.

Selenium biofortification in field-grown tomatoes as affected by Stanleya pinnata-derived organic Se application, biochar and irrigation - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Banuelos, G.S., Centofanti, T., Zambrano, M.C., Arroyo, I.S., Wang, D. 2025. Selenium biofortification in field-grown tomatoes as affected by Stanleya pinnata-derived organic Se application, biochar and irrigation. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research. 23. Article 102162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2025.102162.

Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses reveal key mechanisms of selenium and melatonin in enhancing tea plant resistance to gray blight disease - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wang, P., Zang, H., Farooq, M., Zhou, Y., Zhang, X., Yin, X., Lin, Z., Banuelos, G.S., Reiter, R., Li, M. 2026. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses reveal key mechanisms of selenium and melatonin in enhancing tea plant resistance to gray blight disease. Horticultural Plant Journal. 12(6):1492-1504. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hpj.2025.09.002.

Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses reveal key mechanisms of selenium and melatonin in enhancing tea plant resistance to gray blight disease - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wang, P., Zang, H., Farooq, M., Zhou, Y., Zhang, X., Yin, X., Lin, Z., Banuelos, G.S., Reiter, R., Li, M. 2026. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses reveal key mechanisms of selenium and melatonin in enhancing tea plant resistance to gray blight disease. Postharvest Biology and Technology. 12(6):1492-1504. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hpj.2025.09.002.

Interrow cover crops in a semi-arid vineyard increase plant beneficial functional potential of the soil microbiome, both in vine rows and interrows, a benefit that increases with cover crop duration - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Inge Rocha, F., Roriguez Ramos, J., Fernando, M., Hale, L.E. 2025. Interrow cover crops in a semi-arid vineyard increase plant beneficial functional potential of the soil microbiome, both in vine rows and interrows, a benefit that increases with cover crop duration. Environmental Microbiome. 20. Article 66. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40793-025-00726-1.

Systematic comparison of the effects of exogenous inorganic selenium and organic selenium on the quality and antioxidant capacity of Pleurotus eryngii - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Zhou, F., Qi, M., Ren, R., Shi, J., Zhao, W., Wu, H., Banuelos, G.S., Liang, D. 2025. Systematic comparison of the effects of exogenous inorganic selenium and organic selenium on the quality and antioxidant capacity of Pleurotus eryngii. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. Article 10970010. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.14346.

Impact of whole orchard recycling on greenhouse gas emissions, soil carbon storage, and almond productivity in a replanted orchard - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Culumber, C.M., Gao, S., Thao, T., Poret-Peterson, A.T., Zuber, C., Camarena-Onofre, D., Perez-Sandoval, J.C., Hendratna, A., Holtz, B. 2025. Impact of whole orchard recycling on greenhouse gas emissions, soil carbon storage, and almond productivity in a replanted orchard. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment. 389. Article 109664. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2025.109664.

Rapid adsorption of ammonium on coffee husk and chicken manure-derived biochars: Mechanisms unveiled by chemical speciation, physical, and spectroscopic approaches - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
de Morais, E., Silva, C., Gao, S., Melo, L., Benevenute, P., Lago, B., Teodoro, J., Guilherme, L. 2025. Rapid adsorption of ammonium on coffee husk and chicken manure-derived biochars: Mechanisms unveiled by chemical speciation, physical, and spectroscopic approaches. Sustainability. 17. Article 1616. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17041616.

Selenium biofortification and growth of onions as affected by Se application, biochar and irrigation - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Banuelos, G.S., Centofanti, T., Zambrano, M.C., Arroyo, I.S., Wang, D. 2025. Selenium biofortification and growth of onions as affected by Se application, biochar and irrigation. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis. 140. Article 107217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2025.107217.

Intercropping alfalfa during almond orchard establishment reduces winter soil nitrogen and water losses, provides on-farm revenue - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Thao, T., Begna, S.H., Hale, L.E., Bali, K.M., Wang, D., Gao, S. 2025. Intercropping alfalfa during almond orchard establishment reduces winter soil nitrogen and water losses, provides on-farm revenue. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment. 8(1). Article e70024. https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.70024.

Does a native and introduced cover crop species differ in their ability to suppress? A study in a table grape vineyard - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Fernando, M.R., Hale, L.E., Shrestha, A. 2024. Does a native and introduced cover crop species differ in their ability to suppress? A study in a table grape vineyard. International Journal of Pest Management. p. 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/09670874.2024.2419902.

Evaluating the seasonal effects of whole orchard recycling on water movement and nitrogen retention for a newly established almond orchard: Simulation using HYDRUS-1D - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Thao, T., Culumber, C.M., Poret-Peterson, A.T., Zuber, C.A., Holtz, B.A., Gao, S. 2024. Evaluating the seasonal effects of whole orchard recycling on water movement and nitrogen retention for a newly established almond orchard: Simulation using HYDRUS-1D. Agricultural Water Management. 299. Article 108882. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2024.108882.

Assessment of biochar adsorption capacity for ammonium and nitrate and implications on soil nitrogen management - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Gao, S., Hendratna, A., Pflaum, T. 2024. Assessment of biochar adsorption capacity for ammonium and nitrate and implications on soil nitrogen management. Journal of Advanced Agricultural Technologies. 11(2):17–27. http://doi.org/10.18178/joaat.11.2.17-27.

Midsummer deficit irrigation of alfalfa for water conservation in the San Joaquin Valley of California - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Bali, K., Putnam, D., Wang, D., Begna, S.H., Holder, B., Mohamed, A., Paloutzian, L., Dahlke, H.E., Eltarabily, M.G. 2024. Midsummer deficit irrigation of alfalfa for water conservation in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering. 150(6). Article 04024029. https://doi.org/10.1061/JIDEDH.IRENG-10213.

Boron in pistachio: Role and recent research results - (Trade Journal)
Banuelos, G.S., Beede, R.H., Coehlo, J., Saludes, M.I., Ferguson, L., Culumber, M., Marino, G., Sanden, B., Mehata, M. 2024. Boron in pistachio: Role and recent research results. West Coast Nut. 4:10-15.

Empirical correlation between electrical conductivity and nitrogen content in biochar as influenced by pyrolysis temperature - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
de Morais, E., Silva, C., Gao, S., Melo, L., Lago, B., Teodora, J., Guilherme, L. 2024. Empirical correlation between electrical conductivity and nitrogen content in biochar as influenced by pyrolysis temperature. Nitrogen. 5(2):288-300. https://doi.org/10.3390/nitrogen5020019.

A native plant species cover crop positively impacted vineyard water dynamics, soil health, and vine vigor - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Fernando, M., Scott, N.M., Shrestha, A., Gao, S., Hale, L.E. 2024. A native plant species cover crop positively impacted vineyard water dynamics, soil health, and vine vigor. Agriculture Ecosystems and the Environment. 367. Article e108972. https://doi.org//10.1016/j.agee.2024.108972.

Comprehensive evaluation of factors influencing selenium fertilization biofortification - (Review Article)
Huang, R., Banuelos, G.S., Zhao, J., Wang, Z., Farooq, M., Yang, Y., Song, J., Zhang, Z., Chen, Y., Yin, X., Shen, L. 2024. Comprehensive evaluation of factors influencing selenium fertilization biofortification. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 104(10):6100-6107. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.13442.

Influence of woodchip size and nitrogen fertilization on carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions from soils amended with orchard biomass - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Gao, S., Hendratna, A., Thao, T., Culumber, M., Poret-Peterson, A.T., Zuber, C., Holtz, B. 2024. Influence of woodchip size and nitrogen fertilization on carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions from soils amended with orchard biomass. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 88(3):803-815. https://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.20650.

Methane and nitrous oxide emissions during biochar-composting are driven by biochar application rate and aggregate formation - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Harrison, B.P., Gao, S., Thao, T., Gonzales, M., Williams, K.L., Scott, N.M., Hale, L.E., Ghezzehei, T., Diaz, G., Ryals, R.A. 2023. Methane and nitrous oxide emissions during biochar-composting are driven by biochar application rate and aggregate formation. Global Change Biology Bioenergy. 16(1). Article e13121. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.13121.

Microbiome engineering optimized by Antarctic microbiota to support a plant host under water deficit - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Rodriguez, R., Barra, P.J., Larama, G., Carrion, V.J., de la Luz Mora, M., Hale, L.E., Duran, P. 2023. Microbiome engineering optimized by Antarctic microbiota to support a plant host under water deficit. Frontiers in Plant Science. 14. Article 1241612. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1241612.

Editorial: Selenium in soil-plant-animal systems and its essential role for human health - (Review Article)
Banuelos, G.S., Lin, Z., Caton, J. 2023. Editorial: Selenium in soil-plant-animal systems and its essential role for human health. Frontiers in Plant Science. 14. Article 1237646. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1237646.

Biochar enhancement of nitrification processes varies with soil conditions - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Hale, L.E., Hendratna, A., Scott, N.M., Gao, S. 2023. Biochar enhancement of nitrification processes varies with soil conditions. Science of the Total Environment. 887. Article 164146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164146.

The potential of biochar as a microbial carrier for agricultural and environmental applications - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Bolan, S., Hou, D., Wang, L., Hale, L.E., Egamberdieva, D., Tammeorg, P., Li, R., Wang, B., Xu, J., Wang, T., Sun, H., Padhye, L.P., Wang, H., Siddique, K., Rinklebe, J., Kirkham, M., Bolan, N. 2023. The potential of biochar as a microbial carrier for agricultural and environmental applications. Science of the Total Environment. 886. Article 163968. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163968.

Editorial: Selenium in soil-plant-animal systems and its essential role for human health - (Book / Chapter)
Banuelos, G.S., Lin, Z., Caton, J. 2023. Editorial: Selenium in soil-plant-animal systems and its essential role for human health. Frontiers in Plant Science. 14. Article 1237646. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1237646.

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the reduction of arsenic accumulation in plants: A quantitative review using meta-analysis - (Review Article)
Hao, S., Tian, Y., Lin, Z., Xie, L., Zhou, X., Banuelos, G.S. 2024. Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the reduction of arsenic accumulation in plants: A quantitative review using meta-analysis. Frontiers in Plant Science. 15. Article 1327649. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2024.1327649.

Can Hg content in crops be controlled by Se fertilization? A meta-analysis and outline of Hg sequestration mechanisms - (Review Article)

Deciphering the mechanism of fungal pathogen-induced disease-suppressive soil - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wen, T., Ding, Z., Thomashow, L.S., Hale, L.E., Yang, S., Xie, P., Liu, X., Wang, H., Shen, Q., Yuan, J. 2023. Deciphering the mechanism of fungal pathogen-induced disease-suppressive soil. New Phytologist. 238(6):2634-2650. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.18886.

Selenium speciation in Se-enriched soybean grains from biofortified plants grown under different methods of selenium application - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Silva, M.A., Ferreira De Sousa, G., Banuelos, G.S., Amaral, D., Brown, P., Guimaraes Guilherme, L.R. 2023. Selenium speciation in Se-enriched soybean grains from biofortified plants grown under different methods of selenium application. Foods. 12(6). Article 1214. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12061214.

Influencing factors on bioavailability and spatial distribution of soil selenium in dry semi-arid area - (Review Article)
Farooq, M., Zhang, Z., Yuan, L., Liu, X., Rehman, A., Banuelos, G.S., Yin, X. 2023. Influencing factors on bioavailability and spatial distribution of soil selenium in dry semi-arid area. Agriculture. 13(3). Article 576. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13030576.

Factors influencing gaseous emissions in constructed wetlands: A meta-analysis and systematic review - (Review Article)
Hu, S., Zhu, H., Banuelos, G.S., Shutes, B., Wang, X., Hou, S., Yan, B. 2023. Factors influencing gaseous emissions in constructed wetlands: A meta-analysis and systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 20(5). Article 3876. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20053876.

Saline irrigation in young pistachio Kerman trees on UCB-1 and PG-1 rootstocks grown in field lysimeters - (Other)

Can Hg content in crops be controlled by Se fertilization? A meta-analysis and outline of Hg sequestration mechanisms - (Review Article)

Effects of amount and chemical form of selenium amendments on forage selenium concentrations and species profiles - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Hall, J.A., Bobe, G., Filley, S.J., Pirelli, G.J., Bohle, M.G., Wang, G., Davis, T.Z., Banuelos, G.S. 2023. Effects of amount and chemical form of selenium amendments on forage selenium concentrations and species profiles. Biological Trace Element Research. 201:4951-4960. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-022-03541-8.

Guayule as an alternative crop for natural rubber production grown in B- and Se-laden soil in Central California - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Banuelos, G.S., Placido, D.F., Zhu, H., Centofanti, T., Zambrano, M., Heinitz, C.C., Lone, T.A., McMahan, C.M. 2022. Guayule as an alternative crop for natural rubber production grown in B- and Se-laden soil in Central California. Industrial Crops and Products. 189. Article 115799. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2022.115799.

Potential alternative crop for selenium biofortification under high saline and boron growing conditions: the case of Salsola soda - (Peer Reviewed Journal)

Soil and foliar selenium application: Impact on accumulation, speciation, and bioaccessibility of selenium in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wang, M., Zhou, F., Cheng, N., Chen, P., Ma, Y., Zhai, H., Qi, M., Liu, N., Lui, Y., Meng, L., Banuelos, G.S., Liang, D. 2022. Soil and foliar selenium application: Impact on accumulation, speciation, and bioaccessibility of selenium in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Frontiers in Plant Science. 13. Article 988627. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.988627.