Position Tile: New Crop Systems and Grain Legumes Specialist
Position Description: This position will focus on developing innovative new crops for California
farmers, including cover crops, and improving grain legume production systems. It will develop
new, alternative crops that present important opportunities for California growers. It will also be
linked to the existing $70 million/year grain legume industry. This position will create new
business opportunities for California agricultural enterprises, maximize net farm income, develop
new crop and grain legume opportunities that exhibit opportunities for new foods, improved
health, water conservation, crop rotation benefits, conservation of nitrogen, reduced pesticide use,
environmental protection, and adaptation to global climate change. The production of Californiabased grain legume and new crop enterprises supports the ‘farm to fork’ food system concept. The
candidate is expected to have a Ph.D. in Plant Sciences, Horticulture, Agronomy, Plant Breeding,
or other closely related discipline and to have demonstrated excellence in the areas of applied
agricultural research and extension.
Justification: Grain legumes, as the core of this position, have a long history as important
rotational crops in California, helping to improve soil health and mitigating pests and diseases.
California is a leading producer for the nation and the world for key dry bean types. Our state
produces 99% of the U.S. dry lima bean crop supplying 100% of the domestic market, and nearly
80% of the limas traded on the world market. Average production for dry beans from 2007-2010
includes 59,000 acres and 70 million dollars. Legumes fix nitrogen, reducing our dependency on
synthetic fertilizers and fossil fuels. With world population projected at 9 billion people in the near
future, grain legumes will supply protein needs to a growing population. Access to locallyproduced grain legumes is important to consumers, especially certain ethnic groups. Critical issues
facing the California dry bean industry include water use efficiency, improved adaptation to
climate change, improved tolerance to lower quality soils and water, and increased pest and
disease resistance. This position will also assist California industries in developing new crop
opportunities, from edamame-type garbanzos to new ‘dry fresh pea’ dehydrated products to
sweetener alternatives like stevia, or ethnic foods like quinoa and tef.
Extension: The New Crop Systems and Grain Legume Specialist will provide overall leadership
for planning and coordination of statewide extension of research-based practices and technology to
new crop development and dry bean cropping systems. The specialist will work with farm advisors
in planning field meetings at campus, counties, field stations, and growers’ fields, where
experiments are being conducted. The specialist will utilize on-line resources such as websites,
videoconferencing, blogs, social networking, and other innovative outreach efforts. The specialist
will work with various stakeholders and sources of funding, among others the California Dry Bean
Advisory Board, in setting research priorities and for funding.
Research: The specialist will provide leadership for developing innovative research to introduce,
evaluate, and solve problems for several promising new crops (including new legumes). This
position will involve planning and coordination of interdisciplinary applied research activities
related to legume systems (dry bean and cover crop). The issues to be addressed include a systems
approach to improve profitability, while protecting natural resources and addressing issues in
diverse cropping systems that include conventional, low-input, and organic production. Key
research would include: evaluating varieties for improved water use efficiency, nitrogen fixation,
and wider adaptation to soils and climate; evaluating and developing new cultural practices
combined with weed and pest management to reduce tillage and dependence on pesticides;
evaluating practices to reduce water usage; defining nitrogen contributions to crops in the legume
rotation while minimizing nitrate groundwater contamination; determining environmental fate of
nitrogen in cropping systems with and without legumes; more reliable and faster germination, as
well as stronger early plant vigor; and identifying novel varietal types that address new markets or
consumer preferences. Use of legumes for cover cropping in vegetable and row crop systems,
which is increasing in the Southern desert valleys and Central Valley, has important potential for
optimization and broader adoption for enhancing crop production systems and soil health. There is
a wide range of research/peer-reviewed outlets, in which this individual will be able to publish
(e.g. California Agriculture, Crop Management, Agronomy Journal, Crop Science, Field Crops
Research).
ANR Network: The New Crops/Grain Legume Specialist will be supported by numerous UC
assets that currently conduct dry bean related research and education programs in California,
including the UC Grain Legume workgroup, UCCE Advisors, UC Davis and UCR AES and CE
faculty in Plant Sciences and discipline-related departments including Plant Pathology,
Entomology, LAWR, ASI, UC IPM, Food Science, and Nutrition. The person will coordinate
research projects statewide among UC Farm Advisors, with the commodity board and regional
groups, including the responsibility for coordinating the maintenance and use of the planting and
harvesting equipment located at UC Davis or Kearney Agricultural Center.
Network External to ANR: The California Dry Bean Advisory Board has a long history of
support for UC research, dating back at least 40 years. UC has been contributing to the
competitiveness of California dry bean growers for over 50 years. UC scientists at Davis and
Riverside have bred and released varieties used in California and throughout the world, and
developed production practices for dry beans for at least 40 years in partnership with the California
Dry Bean Advisory Board.
Support: The Department of Plant Sciences at UC Davis will provide office and lab space,
administrative support, library and internet access, IT support services, telephone access, and
limited travel costs. The utilization of UC ANR Research and Extension Centers is likely to be a
core need for research conducted by this position.
Other support: The California Dry Bean Advisory Board has contributed to the UC Davis and
UC Riverside dry bean programs since its inception in 1970 (averaging $108,000 per year for the
last 5 years). Other potential sources of funding for legumes include state and federal agencies
such as CDFA, USDA, NSF, US AID, and private foundations such as the Gates and McKnight
Foundations.
Location: The specialist will be housed in the Department of Plant Sciences. This location is
within access of major bean growing areas of the state, and will best allow the specialist to
facilitate collaborative relationships between campus and county-based academics.
Developed and proposed by: This position was developed by specialists, advisors, and faculty in
the UC Grain Legume Workgroup in collaboration with the UCD Department of Plant Sciences.