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MALLIKA NOCCO’S CONSERVATION IRRIGATION LAB

Working together for healthy crops, soils, and water.

 

We help growers navigate the ever-changing terrain of sustainable agricultural practices and implement water-saving measures that advance production goals. We collaborate across disciplines and believe deeply in the power of applied research and cooperative extension.

 

For more details on my training and experience,

meet the PI 

Mallika Nocco, Ph.D.

As a Cooperative Extension scientist, I collaborate with scientists, growers, policymakers, and water districts to develop irrigation management strategies that balance farm livelihoods and water conservation. My research and extension program is designed to meet the growing and changing needs of agricultural communities.

I believe that scientists and growers should exchange knowledge and build sustainable solutions together. So, I develop workshops, short-courses, field demonstrations, and webinars to engage folks from all sides of the farm table. Have an idea for an interactive event? I always welcome suggestions, ideas, and feedback!

Recent appointments

2024 - current
Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Agrohydrology

Department of Biological Systems Engineering. University of Wisconsin-Madison.

2019 - 2023
Assistant Professor in Cooperative Extension, soil-plant-water relations and irrigation management

Department of Land, Air, and Water Resources. University of California-Davis.

extension areas of expertise

  1. Soil-Plant-Water Relations (can be tailored for a specific crop or soil type)

  2. Irrigation Scheduling and Management

  3. Physiology of crop water use

  4. Soil hydrologic health

  5. Thermal/multiband drone imagery for crop stress evaluation

Lab members


Lab Alumni

Courtney Emerson, 2020-2023, M.S., Soils and Biogeochemistry

Paloma Hererra-Thomas, 2021-2023, Undergraduate Podcast Producer

Victoria Roberts, 2020-2023, Undergraduate Podcast Producer

Sarah Solis, 2021-2023, Undergraduate Researcher

Dawson Diaz, 2021-2023, Undergraduate Researcher and Junior Specialist

Dr. Sangeeta Bansal, 2022-2023 Postdoctoral Researcher

Sarah Costanzo, 2021-2022 Undergraduate Researcher

Claire Bjork, 2020-2021 Undergraduate Podcast Producer

Cassandra Bonfil, 2020-2021 Undergraduate and PostBach Researcher

 
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 Want to join the Conservation Irrigation Lab?

 

We welcome inquiries from prospective undergraduates, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows from all backgrounds and identities. Interested graduate students can apply to be advised by Dr. Mallika Nocco in the Conservation Irrigation Lab through the Hydrologic Sciences or Soil and Biogeochemistry Programs @ UC Davis. Potential students are encouraged to get in touch prior to submitting an application to discuss potential projects and funding. I am also happy to develop proposals with prospective graduate students and post-docs.

 
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