Natural and Constructed Wetlands
Surface water quality in the Midwest is severely impacted by nonpoint source pollution derived from fertilizer and pesticide application. This research focuses on determining sources of nitrate and other pollutants entering the upper Embarras River basin and developing innovative and inexpensive practices to improve water quality. Weekly water samples were collected and analyzed for nitrogen, along with atrazine before and after application. Preliminary data indicate tile drainage and surface runoff from farm land accounted for most of the nitrogen detected in monitoring efforts, with urban runoff contributing 2.4 percent of the nitrogen detected. While atrazine movement is primarily a function of surface runoff, results showed that subsurface movement also can occur. Constructed wetlands along the Embarras River appear highly effective for removing nonpoint source pollution, however researchers caution that overall effectiveness can be determined only after a thorough investigation of seepage. In addition, environmental factors, such as timing of precipitation and wetland soil and water temperatures, also may affect pollutant uptake and removal rates.
Mark B. David, Lowell Gentry, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
David C. Kovacic, Landscape Architecture
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Adoption of Sustainable Farming Systems
Researchers have identified a number of ecological, economic and agronomic factors that influence the adoption of alternative agricultural systems. Far less attention has been paid to the social context of adoption. Accepted wisdom is that a transition to sustainable farming systems necessitates a fundamental paradigm shift regarding beliefs about nature and the environment. These findings indicate that rather than a deep philosophical shift to environmentally sensitive farming (although not excluding it), sustainable families are characterized by both a family history of adoption and a predisposition to use resources prudently in every dimension of their lives. Cutting back on chemicals from a prudent world-view is as much for efficiency or economics as it is for environmental motives. Prudent resource use resonates more with the down-to-earth no-nonsense persona of farmers, than does accounting for adoption of sustainable practices by a grand paradigm shift.
Richard Farnsworth,
Agricultural and Consumer Economics
Sonya Salamon,
Human and Community Development
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Effects of Nitrogen Management on a Watershed
Researchers conducting the Little Vermilion River Project, an ongoing, multi-dimensional water quality research effort, have measured the greatest nitrate concentrations from fields with high rates of nitrogen fertilization applied in the fall. Lower nitrate nitrogen concentrations were measured from the no-till system on which less fertilizer nitrogen was applied to corn and where application occurred in the spring. Researchers used C-FAR support to offer three farmers financial incentives to change their nitrogen management practices in monitored cornfields. Water samples were collected for analysis. Monitoring of tile nitrate concentration for two to three years after the change in management will provide information on the effects of the new management practice and the time required for the effects to appear. The data set will be used to test models for their ability to predict changes in tile nitrate given the particular soils, climate and management conditions.
J. Kent Mitchell, L.E. Bode, M.C. Hirschi,
Agricultural Engineering
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Crop Rotation as a Pest Management Option
Reports of severe damage to first-year corn following soybeans by corn rootworm larvae increased dramatically in Illinois in 1995. Larvae collected in four east-central Illinois damaged cornfields in July 1995 and reared to the adult stage were all the western species, as were all beetles captured with emergence cages placed in two affected fields. Eggs from female beetles captured in problem areas have not shown evidence of the prolonged diapause trait, that is, eggs hatch in a normal fashion after a single winter. Soil samples taken in October from three soybean fields that were adjacent to injured cornfields revealed that significant egg laying was taking place. No viable eggs were present in earlier soil samples taken in July. This suggests that the problem is being caused by eggs that are laid in soybean fields rather than eggs that prolong their diapause. Cage studies with western corn rootworm beetles from problem fields in Illinois and beetles from nonproblem areas in Nebraska were conducted in a greenhouse. Beetles from Nebraska were used because of the heavy concentration of continuous corn in that area. When given a choice between mature corn and soybean plants, beetles from Illinois laid a significantly greater percentage of their eggs in the soil of the soybean plants than beetles from Nebraska. Intense crop rotation in Illinois may have selected for a strain of western corn rootworm that lays eggs in soybean fields.
Eli Levine, Joe Spencer,
Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
Michael Gray, Crop Sciences
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Center for Ecosystem-based Management of Agricultural and Natural Lands
Faculty throughout the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences conduct ecosystem-related research projects. The center provides leadership and coordination, stimulates new cooperative, systems-based efforts that address ecosystem-based management concepts and gaps in the current research, and identifies routes to disseminate and implement the results of these research efforts.
Gary L. Rolfe,
Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Composted Food and Paper Waste for Livestock, Soil
Researchers searching for alternative methods for managing post-consumer food and paper waste are looking to agricultural production. Ongoing studies focus on using fresh pulped and ensiled food waste as a dietary replacement for protein and as a source of roughage. This study broadened the research to include extruded pulped food waste for livestock feed and use of composted ground waste, paper and pulped food waste as a soil amendment for corn production. Researchers will analyze the economic value and wholesomeness of the recycled product, crop and livestock performance, soils data and other factors to determine the potential for using recycled food and paper waste in agricultural production.
Paul Walker, Ken Smiciklas,
Illinois State University
Landscape Waste Application
To determine production benefits of leaf waste for corn production, leaves collected from Normal, Ill., were applied to experimental corn plots with a tractor and side-delivery spreader. Researchers designed the experiment to include six treatments, with leaves applied zero to nine inches deep. Half the plots received a fall application of liquid nitrogen, and spring nitrogen management was for 150 bushel per acre production. Researchers collected data on nitrogen effect on leaf decomposition. In addition, they collected soil samples through the season and will analyze yield data after harvest.
Rick Whitacre, Kerry Tudor, Wilbur Chrudimsky,
Illinois State University
Low-input Crop Production
(also Herbicide and Pesticide-free Crop Production on the Allison Farm, an External Competitive Grants project.)
The Davis Farm and the organic Allison Farm provide the opportunity to assess pesticide-free and low-input farming practices. Ridge-till cultivation has been effective at controlling weeds in corn and soybeans. Researchers also are assessing hog manure and three rates of fish homogenate for fertility. In addition, several lines of Bt corn and their isolines are being evaluated for performance. Preliminary data indicated low pressure from borers to date. The Bt hybrids were no more resistant to cutworms and root pruning insects than non-Bt counterparts.
Gerald Vigue, Tim Howe, Terry Davis,
Western Illinois University
Controlling Swine Odor Using Pit Additives
Facility limitations at the WIU swine nursery curtailed initial efforts to evaluate commercial additives designed to control ammonia levels in confinement buildings. An independent commercial producer with a pit-based grower/finisher unit is interested and willing to participate in the study. Researchers anticipate the change will likely involve altering the original project to include only the evaluation of pit additives and most likely at the growing/finishing stage so that private operators will not incur uncompensated costs. In addition, due to the numbers of pigs involved in the units under consideration, only air quality will be evaluated. Data on pig performance will not be collected.
Teresa North, Department of Agriculture
Western Illinois University
Pelletized Limestone on Weed Control and Yield
Researchers are evaluating interactions of pellime and weed control. In cornfields, few weeds grew on treated fields, but foxtail was a problem in some areas. In treated soybean fields, no differences in weed control were observed throughout July and August. Researchers will measure corn and soybean yields using a yield monitor and draw yield maps. This project is expected to continue for three years in both fields for evaluation of long-term effects.
Gordon Roskamp, Brad Hunt,
Department of Agriculture
Western Illinois University
Evaluation of Composting Swine Carcasses
Wood shavings, shredded paper and straw are being evaluated for effectiveness in aiding the composting of swine carcasses. Six composting bins were constructed to enable researchers to collect various data on the treatments, including samples for analysis of composted material for fertilizer value. Final data will include an economic assessment of the fertilizer value of the compost compared with the cost of composting the material.
John P. Carlson, Dean Oswald, Bill Campbell,
Department of Agriculture
Western Illinois University
Coal By-product as a Nitrogen Fertilizer
Researchers are evaluating a coal burning by-product, Ram, as a possible nitrogen source. The Ram product and 32 percent liquid nitrogen were applied to fields in April. Anhydrous ammonia was knifed into the soil in June. Garst 8400 hybrid corn was planted in late April, and plant population ranged from 25,000 to 30,000 plants per acre. Weed control products were applied in May and June. On June 19, corn in the Ram treatment was darker and taller than corn in other plots. Height and color differences were obvious in July. Nitrate tests were conducted on stalks from the three treatments. Preliminary data indicate more nitrogen available than necessary in the anhydrous ammonia plots, while the RAM treatments show no symptoms of nitrogen deficiency and are not expected to be deficient of nitrogen. The 32 percent liquid nitrogen plots, however, showed inadequate nitrogen and are expected to yield less. Yield will be measured at harvest using a yield monitor, and researchers will draw maps. In addition to these field studies, a sample of the RAM product has been analyzed by an independent laboratory for heavy metals. Results will be included in final report.
Gordon K. Roskamp,
Department of Agriculture
Western Illinois University
Dairy Manure to Improve Productivity, Persistence and Quality of Alfalfa
These studies are designed to determine the effects of various land-applied manure rates on composition, yield and quality of alfalfa. Attempts at stand establishment were unsuccessful in the spring of 1996 due to the large amounts of rainfall that washed the new seedlings from the plots. A more recent fall seeding was successful and the plots contain the proper ratios of alfalfa, orchardgrass and alfalfa-orchardgrass mixes. Contingent on a successful winter survival rate for the plots, manure applications will begin next year. The researchers do not envision further problems.
R. Dado, Animal Science, Food and Nutrition
F. Olsen, Plant and Soil Science
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
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Researchers collect soil, water and crop data to find out how agricultural chemicals move through the environment and how farm management practices affect the movement of chemicals to water. The multidisciplinary approach to water quality research at the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences is aimed at developing strategies for protecting water quality. |
Zebra mussels can grow in livestock wastes and potentially may reduce disposal problems. Researchers have completed construction of the experimental apparatus and equipment to initiate this study. Presently, a zebra mussel breeding colony is being established in an aquarium at the Fisheries Research Laboratory. Data collection will focus on turbidity levels, ammonia, nitrogen and phosphorus levels in the water samples. The Illinois Pork Producers recently provided additional funds, which will help this project progress quickly.
R. Steffen, Agricultural Education and Mechanization
T. Winters, R. Dado, Animal Science, Food and Nutrition
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Effect of Carbon Dioxide on Tall Fescue
One scenario of global environmental change predicts increased carbon dioxide concentrations. Researchers are studying the influence of elevated carbon dioxide levels on growth of tall fescue and its endophyte fungus on plant digestibility by ruminants. This summer, construction of the open-topped chamber system was completed and 120 tall fescue plants were tested for endophyte status. During the growing season, plants were grown in the open-topped chambers in elevated levels of carbon dioxide under three periods of photosynthesis measurements. Researchers harvested and dried plants and will begin animal digestibility studies this fall and winter.
J. Newman, Zoology
D. Gibson, Plant Biology
R. Dado, Animal Science,
Food and Nutrition
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
External Competitive Grant Program
Effects of Livestock Facilities on Groundwater Quality
To investigate the effects of livestock facilities on groundwater quality in Illinois, researchers visited 11 swine confinement facilities. They conducted a preliminary assessment at five of the sites using electromagnetic terrain conductivity (EMC) surveys to determine whether there were areas that might be impacted by seepage from the waste lagoons. The five sites have either farrow-to-finish or nursery operations and range in design size from 200 to 4,000 animals. A 40-meter-wide area around each side of the lagoons was evaluated by EMC. Results of the survey suggest that there is seepage from the waste lagoons at the facilities. The extent of the seepage appears to be limited to within 20 meters of the lagoons. Monitoring wells are being installed at some of the facilities to verify the conductivity data. Groundwater samples will be collected monthly and analyzed for chloride, nitrate, sulfate, phosphate, and bacteria concentrations. Additional facilities are being contacted in order to investigate similar size and age operations and to monitor groundwater in various geologic environments.
I. Krapac, W. Dey, W. Roy, B. Herzog,
Illinois State Geological Survey
C. Smyth, S. Aref, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Herbicide and Pesticide-free Crop Production on the Allison Farm
See Pesticide-free Crop Production, reported earlier in this section.
G. Vigue,
Department of Agriculture
Western Illinois University
P. Allison, Farm Owner
T. Davis, Farmer
A. Finck, Buffalo Farm Equipment
G. Carlson, L. Reuschel,
Western Illinois Sustainable Agriculture Society
D. Mansir, McDonough County Soil and Water Conservation District
R. Winbigler, Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District
J. Lehmkuhl, Buffalo Farm Equipment
Livestock and Urban Waste Compost as a Soil Amendment
Researchers are assessing the feasibility of composting a combination of waste paper and pulped food waste in year one and livestock, yard and paper waste in year two. The composed materials will be added at various rates to soil used in corn production. Data will be collected to identify safety and microbial/pathogen contamination concerns; effect on soil pH, organic matter and texture; and effect on plant growth and productivity.
P. Walker, R. Knox, Animal Science
T. Kelley, Health Services
K. Smiciklas, Agriculture
Illinois State University
M. Gebbhards,
Illinois Pork Producers Association
Protozoa Detection on Microscope Slide with Machine Vision
Researchers have developed an automated microscope slide analysis system to detect and count contaminants in drinking water. They worked with the American Water Works Association, which provided samples of slides. The prototype combines a machine-vision equipped computer and an automated microscope and appears promising as a tool for operators who now spend two to three hours reviewing a single slide.
J. Reid, J. O'Brien,
Agricultural Engineering
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Effect of Drainage from Alternative Cropping Systems on Water Quality
Researchers installed three subsurface tile flow monitoring systems in fields with no-till, conservation-till and organic management. Tile flow has been recorded continuously since August 1, 1996. Automatic sampling equipment will be installed this fall. In addition, several water samples have been collected manually from the monitoring stations and from nearby tile relief wells. Researchers are tracking nitrate, phosphate and herbicide concentrations. Data is insufficient to make definitive statements about the relationship between cropping system and agrichemical concentrations.
J. Mitchell, G. McIsaac, M. Hirschi, R. Cooke,
Agricultural Engineering
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
A. Williams, Farmer
D. Parkhurst, Farm Owner
R. Robinson, Illinois Stewardship Alliance
N. Price, Macon County Soil and Water Conservation District
D. Gucker, Piatt County Cooperative Extension Service
