Christian Nansen

Research Context

Lubbock is located in the Southern High Plains, which you could consider the “Agricultural Las Vegas” as it represents an extraordinary agricultural paradox – it is one of the areas in the World with the most intensive agricultural practices, but at the same time, it is an area where access to surface water is limited. Without the Ogallala Aquifer (agriculturehttp://www.hpwd.com/the_ogallala.asp) and billions of gallons of water being used for irrigation, this area would likely be uncultivated grass prairie. Limited water availability was one of the main reasons why Texas High Plains were among the last parts of the Midwest to be inhabited by European settlers. Ogallala is not recharged (from rainfall) with the same rate as water is being pumped up, so underground water levels are steadily declining. While cotton is the dominant crop, corn (maize), wheat, sorghum, and peanuts are very important as well, and add to that a fastly growing diary industry and that in a few years Texas will be one of leaders in biofuel production! It is within this regional context that I am developing a research program, that: 1) addresses the research identified by growers and their associations within the region but at the same time is relevant to agricultural systems worldwide, 2) is applied and focuses on development of practical recommendations but at the same time encompasses more experimental research that is needed to outline both advantages and limitations of such recommendations, and 3) reflects my international experience and interest in collaborating with fellow researchers worldwide.