Vasudha Sharma

Irrigation Specialist
Soils S227
1991 Upper Buford Circle
Saint Paul, MN 55108
vasudha@umn.edu
+1 612 626 4986

Education

Ph.D.-Biological/Biosystems Engineering from University of Nebraska-Lincoln- 2018

M.S.- Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering from University of Nebraska-Lincoln- 2014

B.Tech. – Agricultural Engineering from Punjab Agricultural University, India- 2012

Picture of Vasu Sharma

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Research

My research interests are in the areas of irrigation water management, water and nitrogen fertilizer interactions, crop evapotranspiration, soil-water dynamics, variable-rate irrigation and cover-crop water management. My focus is to develop irrigation water management research and extension education programs to address the issues of water shortages and water quality. The main objectives of my program are to (i) collaborate with crop irrigators and water managers to assess educational and research needs, (ii) conduct applied research on irrigation to evaluate and identify the best irrigation management practices that would enhance crop water productivity and reduce environmental impacts, and (iii) deliver scientific knowledge to the irrigators through demonstration research throughout the state.

Select Publications

  • Sharma, V., S. Irmak., V. Sharma, K. Djaman and L. Odhiambo. 2017. “Soil-water dynamics and evapotranspiration of cover crop mixtures in seed maize-cover crop rotation fields: Part I. Soil-water dynamics and evapotranspiration.”  Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering. http://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/%28ASCE%29IR.1943-4774.0001214
  • Sharma, V and S. Irmak. 2017. “Soil water dynamics and evapotranspiration of cover crop mixtures in seed maize-cover crop rotation fields Part II. Grass and alfalfa-reference normal and basal crop coefficients for cover crop mixtures.” Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering. http://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/%28ASCE%29IR.1943-4774.0001215
  • Rudnick. D. R., V. Sharma, G. E. Meyer and S. Irmak. 2015. “Using fuzzy logic to predict and evaluate the magnitude and distribution of precipitation on rainfed maize and soybean yields in Nebraska.” Transactions of the ASABE. https://elibrary.asabe.org/abstract.asp?aid=46500
  • Sharma, V., S. Irmak, K. Djaman, and V. Sharma. 2015. “Large scale spatial and temporal variability in evapotranspiration and crop water use efficiency of irrigated and rainfed maize and soybean.” Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering. http://ascelibrary.org/doi/full/10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0000985
  • Sharma, V., S. Irmak, A. Kilic, V. Sharma, J. E. Gilley, G. E. Meyer, S. Z. Knezevic, and D. Marx. 2015. “Quantification and mapping of surface residue cover and tillage practices for maize and soybean fields in South Central Nebraska.” Transactions of the ASABE. https://elibrary.asabe.org/abstract.asp?aid=46741
  • Sharma, V and S. Irmak. 2018. “Effects of cover crops on soil quality: Part I. Soil chemical properties- organic C, total N, pH, EC, organic matter content, NO3-N, and P.” Accepted in Soil and Water Conservation Society.
  • Sharma, V and S. Irmak. 2018. “Effects of cover crops on soil quality: Part II. Soil exchangeable bases (K, Mg, Na, Ca), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and soil micronutrients (Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu, B).” Accepted in Soil and Water Conservation Society.
  • V. Sharma, K. Djaman, and A. Mohammed. 2018. “Impacts of cover crops on soil physical properties: Field capacity, permanent wilting point, soil-water holding capacity, bulk density, hydraulic conductivity and infiltration”. Accepted in Transactions of the ASABE.