MSU Receives USDA Grant to Improve Agricultural Water Quality

Nov 19, 2020

By Ricardo Costa

USDA grant provides opportunity to improve agricultural water quality by accelerating the adoption of a conservation drainage practice.

Saturated buffer

Saturated buffer.

Ehsan Ghane, assistant professor and Extension specialist at the Michigan State University Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, will lead a three-year, $614,00 grant from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

The goal of the project is to improve agricultural water quality by accelerating the adoption of saturated buffers. A saturated buffer is a type of a conservation drainage practice that reduces nitrate loss from subsurface-drained fields. Too much nitrate in surface water causes low levels of oxygen (hypoxia). Low oxygen levels in water kill fish, which negatively affect the economy and environment.

In this project, a qualified team of experts with diverse backgrounds will develop a user-friendly online tool to improve the design of saturated buffers on specific farms. The value of the online tool is to show the best design that removes more nitrate at a lower cost of the saturated buffer.

Farmers want to protect water quality while producing crops. This tool will give them the means to see the benefit of a saturated buffer on their farm. Once the tool is developed, Michigan State University Extension will offer workshops to educate people on using the tool.

Source : msu.edu

Video: How to Get Rid of Algae in a Pond - Pond & Lake Algae Control

Looking for how to get rid of algae in a pond or lake? The Pond Guy features the top pond algae control products for planktonic algae, filamentous algae, and Chara. Our pond experts provide you algae removal tips and help with pondweed identification.

Many ponds and lake owners struggle with excessive algae blooms. While some algae are reasonable, it can quickly get out of control and have you looking for pond algae removal solutions. The Pond Guy has industry-leading pond supplies and expert advice to help you win the algae battle. We can also help you with pondweed identification. Because before you can treat an algae problem, you need to know what types of algae you’re dealing with. We recommend a liquid algaecide if you’re wondering how to get rid of planktonic algae or filamentous algae. For Chara, a granular algaecide works best.