Dr. Kirsten D. Hannam

Examining water, carbon and nutrient dynamics within agro-ecosystems at a range of spatial scales
Education and awards
- Ph.D. University of Alberta, 2006
- M.Sc. University of British Columbia, 2002
Additional links
Google scholar: https://scholar.google.ca/citations?user=FysxbKMAAAAJ
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kirsten_Hannam
Key publications
-
Shrestha, Hannam, Bittman (2022). Peace Region Living Lab update to Director General, Prairie
2022 - View publication details
-
MacDonald JL, Hannam KD, Xu H. 2022. Signs and symptoms of sudden apple decline in British Columbia: Impacts on tree physiology, and the potential role of environmental stressors. Canadian Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting. Virtual. 4 July 2022. Oral Presentation
2022 - View publication details
-
Increased frequency and severity of heat waves and drought are becoming a major challenge for Okanagan fruit growers. These events can reduce fruit quality and compromise tree health, and may be an important trigger for sudden apple decline. A toolbox to help fruit growers mitigate the impacts of heat- and drought-related stress on fruit quality and tree health is urgently needed. Sprayable nanoparticle calcium carbonate is a potential tool for protecting fruit from sunburn and mitigating water stress, and is less expensive than shade cloth and/or evaporative cooling. This tool was tested on an experimental apple block at the Summerland Research and Development Centre over the summer of 2021. An initial spray was applied to test trees in early June, with a second spray applied immediately prior to the ‘heat dome’ event in late June, and a third spray in late July. Throughout the growing season, stem water potential, leaf transpiration and photosynthesis rates were monitored. At harvest, yield and fruit quality were assessed (e.g., sun burn [Schrader-McPherson scale], fruit size and weight, titratable acidity, and Brix. The calcium carbonate spray reduced the incidence of severe sun burn, but caused no other significant differences in fruit quality. When drought stress was applied, by temporarily cutting off the irrigation supply to both treatments, sprayed trees showed lower water stress than un-sprayed trees. Although just a preliminary study, this work suggests that sprayable protectants, such as nanoparticle calcium carbonate sprays, have potential for protecting fruit quality and mitigating drought stress during extreme heat or drought and may be an important, low-cost tool to include in Okanagan fruit growers’ climate change toolbox.
2021 - View publication details
-
Proper balanced nutrition is important in all crops; however, knowing what the right nutrient needed at the right time for the right reasons with the right product can be very different between commodities, orchards, and seasons. There are several different sampling methods that can be utilized to assess the nutrient status of a block and help aid in nutrient management decisions. The main assessment methods are leaf, fruitlet, and soil analysis. There are some other techniques, such as sap analysis, that are being tested and may be more available in the future.
2021 - View publication details
-
Bamber, N., Jones, M., Nelson, L., Hannam, K., Nichol, C., Pelletier, N. (2021). Life cycle assessment of mulch use on Okanagan apple orchards: Part 2 - Consequential. Journal of Cleaner Production, [online] 280 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125022
2021 - View publication details
-
Kalcsits, L., Lotze, E., Tagliavini, M., Hannam, K.D., Mimmo, T., Neilsen, D., Neilsen, G., Atkinson, D., Biasuz, E.C., Borruso, L., Cesco, S., Fallahi, E., Pii, Y., Valverdi, N.A. (2020). Recent achievements and new research opportunities for optimizing macronutrient availability, acquisition, and distribution for perennial fruit crops, 10(11), http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10111738
2020 - View publication details
-
Midwood, A.J., Hannam, K.D., Forge, T.A., Neilsen, D., Emde, D., Jones, M.D. (2020). Importance of drive-row vegetation for soil carbon storage in woody perennial crops: A regional study. Geoderma, [online] 377 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2020.114591
2020 - View publication details
-
Bamber, N., Jones, M., Nelson, L., Hannam, K., Nichol, C., Pelletier, N. (2020). Life cycle assessment of mulch use on Okanagan apple orchards: Part 1 - Attributional. Journal of Cleaner Production, [online] 267 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121960
2020 - View publication details
-
MacDonald JL, Forge T, Hannam K, Judd G, Moffat C, O'Gorman D, Sanfacon H, Xu H. 2020. 'Apple Decline' in the Okanagan Valley. Summerland Research and Development Centre via Instagram and Facebook.
2020 - View publication details
-
Hannam, K.D., Midwood, A.J., Neilsen, D., Forge, T.A., Jones, M.D. (2019). Bicarbonates dissolved in irrigation water contribute to soil CO2 efflux. Geoderma, [online] 337 1097-1104. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2018.10.040
2019 - View publication details
-
Forge, T., Hannam, K., Neilsen, D., Neilsen, G. (2019). Nitrogen inputs and irrigation frequency influence population dynamics of Mesocriconema xenoplax under grapevines. Journal of Nematology, [online] 51(1), http://dx.doi.org/10.21307/jofnem-2019-084
2019 - View publication details
-
Hannam, K.D., Fleming, R.L., Venier, L., Hazlett, P.W. (2019). Can bioenergy ash applications emulate the effects of wildfire on upland forest soil chemical properties?. Soil Science Society of America Journal, [online] 83 S201-S217. http://dx.doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2018.10.0380
2019 - View publication details
-
Thomas, B.W., Hunt, D., Bittman, S., Hannam, K.D., Messiga, A.J., Haak, D., Sharifi, M., Hao, X. (2019). Soil health indicators after 21 yr of no-tillage in South Coastal British Columbia. Canadian Journal of Soil Science, [online] 99(2), 222-225. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjss-2018-0146
2019 - View publication details
-
Forge, T.A., Neilsen, D., Neilsen, G.H., Hannam, K.D., Randall, P., and Wambold, L. (2016). "Water-conserving mulch and micro-irrigation practices affect assemblages of nematodes parasitizing winegrape in the Okanagan Valley.", Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology. (Abstract)
2016 - View publication details
-
Fentabil, M.M., Nichol, C.F., Jones, M.D., Neilsen, G.H., Neilsen, D., Hannam, K.D. (2016). Effect of drip irrigation frequency, nitrogen rate and mulching on nitrous oxide emissions in a semi-arid climate: An assessment across two years in an apple orchard. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, [online] 235 242-252. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2016.09.033
2016 - View publication details
-
Fentabil, M.M., Nichol, C.F., Neilsen, G.H., Hannam, K.D., Neilsen, D., Forge, T.A., Jones, M.D. (2016). Effect of micro-irrigation type, N-source and mulching on nitrous oxide emissions in a semi-arid climate: An assessment across two years in a Merlot grape vineyard. Agricultural Water Management, [online] 171 49-62. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2016.02.021
2016 - View publication details
-
Hannam, K.D., Neilsen, G.H., Forge, T.A., Neilsen, D., Losso, I., Jones, M.D., Nichol, C., Fentabil, M.M. (2016). Irrigation practices, nutrient applications, and mulches affect soil nutrient dynamics in a young merlot (Vitis vinifera L.) vineyard. Canadian Journal of Soil Science, [online] 96(1), 23-36. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjss-2014-0118
2016 - View publication details
-
Hannam, K.D., Kehila, D., Millard, P., Midwood, A.J., Neilsen, D., Neilsen, G.H., Forge, T.A., Nichol, C., Jones, M.D. (2016). Bicarbonates in irrigation water contribute to carbonate formation and CO2 production in orchard soils under drip irrigation. Geoderma, [online] 266 120-126. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2015.12.015
2016 - View publication details
-
Hannam, K.D., Neilsen, G.H., Neilsen, D., Midwood, A.J., Millard, P., Zhang, Z., Thornton, B., Steinke, D. (2016). Amino acid composition of grape (Vitis vinifera L.) juice in response to applications of urea to the soil or foliage. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture, [online] 67(1), 47-55. http://dx.doi.org/10.5344/ajev.2015.15015
2016 - View publication details
-
Forge, T.A., Neilsen, D., Neilsen, G.H., Hannam, K.D., Randall, P., and Wambold, L. (2015). "Water-conserving mulch and micro-irrigation practices affect assemblages of nematodes parasitizing wine grape in the Okanagan Valley.", Canadian Phytopathological Society BC. Regional Meetings, Abbotsford, BC, Canada, October 21, 2015. (Presentation)
2015 - View publication details
- 1 of 2
- next ›
Contact
Research facility
Expertise
Affiliations
- Member, Canadian Society of Soil Science (CSSS)
- Member, Soil Science Society of America (SSSA), American Society of Agronomy (ASA) & Crop Science Society of America (CSSA)
- Adjunct, University of British Columbia - Okanagan