Vesh R. Thapa - Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture

Tractor spreading black coal char in cattle pen
Coal char is applied to a cattle pen for research. After a snowfall, coal ash-applied pens dried quicker than the control pens, which was beneficial for cattle health.

Coal Char Enhances Manure and Soil Management to Improve Crop Production

April 11, 2024
A byproduct of processing sugarbeets, coal char has the potential to optimize soil nutrients and increase crop yields. In this article, UNL researchers share results of a study on incorporating coal char amendments into corn and dry bean cropland.

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Vesh Raj Thapa stands near soil sample display
Vesh Raj Thapa, UNL post-doctoral research assistant, stands behind root samples from the plots at WREEC in North Platte. (Photo by Chabella Guzman)

Roots, Another Important Aspect of Cover Crops

September 19, 2023
Researchers involved in a UNL-USDA NRCS study on cover crops highlight the importance of species selection, as each type of cover crop has a unique root system that contributes differently to soil health.

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Sunflower cover crop

Warm-season Species for Soil Health and Forage Purposes

July 27, 2023
Taking advantage of summer heat and abundant sunlight, warm-season cover crops can accumulate impressive amounts of biomass, cover bare ground quickly, suppress weeds, reduce erosion and improve soil health.

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Research team gather samples in field
Graduate students Grace Emperatriz Pacheco Jiron (left), Bridget McKinley, and Vesh R. Thapa, UNL postdoctoral research associate, gather forage samples at PREEC cover crop plots. (Photo by Chabella Guzman)

Cover Crop Initiative Project has First Field Day in Western Nebraska

May 25, 2023
The project is a four-year collaboration between UNL and NRCS to identify the best-suited cover crop species and varieties for unique eco-regions across the state of Nebraska.

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Jerry oat cover crop

Evaluation of Diverse Cover Crops Across Nebraska: Findings from Spring-planted Cover Crops in 2022

February 23, 2023
Results from 2022 variety trial research conducted on numerous cover crop species at five UNL research stations across Nebraska.

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