Soil Tillage Research Begins in Nebraska

By Scout Nelson

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln welcomes Lawrence Aula as a research assistant professor in agronomy and horticulture at the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff. Aula began his new position on March 1 with a full-time research appointment.

Aula is no stranger to Nebraska’s research community. From December 2021 to August 2023, he served as a postdoctoral research associate in the Dryland Cropping Systems Lab, where he collaborated with scientists to analyze long-term tillage data and enhance winter wheat seeding decisions. “I was responsible for collecting and synthesizing existing data from a long-term tillage experiment located at the High Plains Ag Lab near Sidney, Nebraska,” Aula said. “I also conducted research to improve winter wheat seeding decisions based on seeding rates, cultivars, planting dates, and row spacing.”

In his current role, Aula is investigating how converting a long-term continuous no-till plot to an occasional tillage system affects soil properties. His project involves tilling the soil every six years to assess long-term impacts on structure, fertility, and health.

Born and raised in Oyam, Uganda, Aula’s passion for agriculture began at a young age. “My interest in soil fertility was sparked by the realization that soil fertility had been declining on our small farm in Uganda due to continuous crop production without replenishing what crops we were removing from the soil,” he said.

Aula earned his bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Gulu University in Uganda, followed by a master’s and Ph.D. in soil science from Oklahoma State University. Before returning to Nebraska, he taught soil fertility and plant nutrition at Kabale University.

His work now focuses on improving nutrient use efficiency, particularly nitrogen, to enhance crop yields while protecting the environment. Aula hopes his research will help solve global food production challenges. Outside the lab, he enjoys walking, caring for trees, and watching soccer to unwind.

Photo Credit:gettyimages-sasiistock