Raman Brar

How did you become interested in this field of study?
I grew up in Punjab, India. I was born into and brought up in an agrarian family. I watched my father struggle to get through the difficulties associated with agriculture. I was always curious to know the science behind the agricultural techniques, like how the seed turns into the whole plant. Thus, I was motivated to have a strong scientific base in plant sciences that would allow me to help farmers. I found myself lucky to get into Fresno State to pursue my master’s, majoring in Plant Science. I always wanted to work in the agriculture field to help the farmers and to conserve natural resources.

What is the title of the project and what faculty are you working with on this ARI project?
Comparing yield, water and nutrient use efficiency of drip-, deficit drip- and flood-irrigated sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and corn (Zea mays) subjected to varying nitrogen fertilizer rates, with Dr. Florence Cassel Sharma, an associate professor in the Department of Plant Science at Fresno State University.

Briefly describe your project and why it is important to California agriculture or natural resources.
Water is scarce in California, and we need to learn ways to conserve this resource. One way we might do this is to find crops that use less water, replacing crops which may not be sustainable in the long term. Dairies are a major industry in California, and the main forage crops grown to feed dairy cows are alfalfa and corn, both of which have high water requirements. The selection of forage crops not only depends upon the yield and quality but also on the cost of production. This project is important for California to establish an economical alternative forage crop.
The goal of this study is to find the most efficient irrigation and fertilizer management practices for corn and sorghum. We are growing the crops using drip, deficit drip and conventional flood irrigation. Nitrogen-use efficiency and water-use efficiency are interconnected, and we must study both together to develop an effective water and nutrient management strategy to preserve crop yield and quality.

Why are you interested in this project?
Both my native area in India and California face the same water scarcity problems and both continuously deplete groundwater levels. By growing up in a farmer’s family, I watched the water problems in Punjab. With the historic droughts in California, we are also having a hard time managing water. So, my interest has developed by looking at the firsthand problems of farmers and the cost of water for production.

Describe your role in this ARI project What do you hope to learn, or have you learned, through your involvement?
My involvement is focused on growing and evaluating the corn and sorghum crops that were irrigated by flood, drip and deficit- drip irrigation. Along with the field activities, I also got a great opportunity to work on lab analyses including soil and tissue nutritional analyses.

What do you want to do after graduation, and how will working on this ARI project help you to achieve that goal?
After graduation, I want to focus on research projects aimed at conserving natural resources by improving agricultural techniques and practices. Working on the ARI prepared me and has motivated me to achieve my goal.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us regarding your background and interests?
Along with [conducting] my thesis research, I am also doing an internship with the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Through this, I am getting additional experience with different crops, project activities and goals.