Milestones


A fine career rooted in soil


Summerland researcher Gerry Neilsen hasmade lasting contributions to fruit-growing. By Susan McIver


s Gerry Neilsen steps away from a distinguished 37-year career as a scientist at the Pacific Agri- Food Research Centre (now known as the Summerland Research and Development Centre), he took the time to reflect on his contributions to soil fertility and plant nutrition and the challenges that lie ahead.


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Neilsen acknowledged the critical role of research centres such as those operated by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.


“The advantage of a public institution ... is that it is not beholden to fertilizer or chemical companies. It's important to have a balance between public and private interests,” Neilsen said. Raised on a farm near Kingston, Ontario, he graduated with a bachelor of science degree in geology from Queen's University before earning a PhD in soil science from McGill University, in 1977.


“My interest in soils began with rocks. They break down to form soil.” While at Queen's, Neilsen met his wife, Denise, who holds a PhD in soil science and is also a research scientist at the Summerland facility. They’ve been there since 1978, and frequently collaborate, with Denise focusing on irrigation, water management and climate change aspects of projects. “The overall objective of my work has been to promote agriculture while preserving the environment,” Neilsen said.


A project conducted in the late 1970s concerned the role of agriculture in


12 SUSAN MCIVER


Gerry Nielsen says the overall objective of his work has been to promote agriculture while preserving the environment.


Ontario in erosion and subsequent loss of soil nutrients, such as nitrogen, into the Great Lakes.


“What is striking about Gerry is the breadth of his knowledge and his contributions to the science of orchard management,” said research scientist and longtime collaborator Tom Forge. Forge pointed out that although Neilsen may be known best for his large body of work on fruit tree nutrition, he also has made important contributions to fruit tree physiology and water relations, soil fertility management, organic production practices, replant disease management and, in more recent years, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.


During the 1980s Neilsen's work, often with collaborators, centered on determining mineral standards for fruit. “You need the right calcium levels to have good storage of apples. Putting it in the soil doesn't work,” said Neilsen,


who determined not only optimum levels but also when and how to apply the calcium.


Neilsen's more recent work has focused on the best ways to improve the quality of soil through such measures as mulches, fertilizers and soil amendments.


His group has worked extensively on various types of mulches for their ability to retard weed growth and enhance the soil in orchards.


Although black plastic works well for the first two to three years, it isn't nearly as good as organic mulches over time. Straw, shredded paper and alfalfa not only prevent weeds, they promote the growth of soil organisms, including earthworms, that improve aeration. Decomposition of the organic mulches also adds valuable organic content to the soil, for example, shredded paper contains about five per cent calcium which is needed by


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