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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #114518
Title: SITE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS, CHAPTER IN FINAL REPORT, MARKETING WETLANDS FOR PROFIT, 5 YEARS PROJECT FUNDED BY OSEPA AND GLNPO

Author
item Cooper, Richard
item Fausey, Norman

Submitted to: Soil/Water Research, Progress Report
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/30/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Ten years of research (1985-1994) by Drs. Cooper and Fausey, demonstrated the potential for subirrigation/drainage systems to produce consistent 70+ bu/a soybeans and 200+ bu/a corn, while improving the water quality released into streams. This system consists of using subsurface drainage lines both for drainage during periods of excess moisture and for subirrigation during periods of moisture shortage. Based on these results, the Maumee Valley Research Conservation and Development Area, under the leadership of Bernie Czartoski, Coordinator, was successful in obtaining significant funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) to establish three subirrigation/drainage demonstration sites in NW Ohio. The project, entitled, Marketing Wetlands for Profit, was initiated in 1995 and completed in 1999 with the Final Report submitted in March, 2000. The chapter on Site Management and Operations in this report presents 4 years of yield data from these demonstration sites and detailed Crop Management and Water Management Guides for subirrigation/drainage systems. Results from these trials demonstrated significant yield increases from subirrigation/drainage systems are possible on a farm scale basis. The results of this research will be of benefit to growers interested in stabilizing their crop yields at high levels and reducing risks against dry years. Also results of this research will be of interest to environmentalists concerned about improved water quality in our nations streams.

Technical Abstract: Results from small plot research indicated that 4,600+ kg/ha soybean yields and 13,000 kg/ha corn yields can consistently be produced by the use of a subirrigation/drainage system. This systems consists of using subsurface drainage lines both for drainage during periods of excess moisture and for subirrigation during periods of moisture shortage. When combined with a wetland and reservoir to capture and recycle the surface and subsurface drainage water, the potential exists for a significant improvement in the water quality released into streams. Based on these results, the Maumee Valley RC&D, under the leadership of Bernie Czartoski, coordinator, was successful in obtaining significant funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) to establish 3 subirrigation/drainage demonstration sites in NW Ohio. The project, entitled, Marketing Wetlands for Profit, was initiated in 1995 and completed in 1999 with the Final Report submitted in March, 2000. The chapter on Site Management and Operations in this report presents 4 years of yield data from these demonstration sites and detailed Crop Management and Water Management Guides for subirrigation/drainage systems. Results from these trials demonstrated significant yield increases from subirrigation/drainage systems are possible on a farm scale basis.