Last updated: October 11, 2002
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Best Management Practices - What Are They?
Poster presented May 1999, at the South Florida Restoration Science Forum
Part 1
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The Water Resources Group
Everglades Research and Education Center Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
University of Florida
Belle Glade, Florida 33430 |
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From Scientific Concepts to Farm
Management: The Everglades Agricultural Area Experience
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Project Principals
Dr. Forrest Izuno |
Project PI, Agricultural Engineering |
Dr. Ron Rice |
Co-PI; Lysimeter Site Activities; Data
Analysis |
Dr. Jim Stuck |
Particulate Phosphorus Transport and Management |
Dr. Tim Lang |
Database Management; Other Water Quality
Parameters; Particulate Phosphorus; Lysimeter Site Activities |
Dr. Winston Davis |
Laboratory Chemist |
Dr. DelBottcher |
Computer Modeling (SWET, Inc.) |
Ms. Laurene Capone |
Project Management; QA Officer; Other
Water Quality Parameters |
Mr. Curt Miller |
Field Construction, Instrumentation, and
Maintenance; Data Collection |
Mr. Ray Garcia |
Data Management; Field Instrumentation |
Mr. Chuck Dilley |
Field Instrumentation and Maintenance |
Ms. Laurie Casiano |
Laboratory Chemist |
Ms. Maria Fabelo |
Laboratory Technician |
Mr. Moises Morales |
Data Collection |
Mr. Joe Lammert |
Data Collection |
The Scientific Process
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The process begins with assessing the problems
and developing possible solutions.
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Research is conducted at the small scale to
test the hypotheses and develop alternative management practices.
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The most promising practices are tested at
the farm scale.
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Extension programs help farm managers implement
practices after scientific proof is obtained.
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Identify the Problem
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It was alleged that phosphorus (P) in agricultural
drainage water from the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) was negatively
impacting surrounding ecosystems.
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In addition, it was alleged that agricultural
fertilizer management was the primary cause of elevated P concentrations
and loads.
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Formulate the Hypotheses
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Although fertilizer could be causing elevated
P levels in water leaving the EAA, water management practices were probably
more at fault.
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Agricultural fertilizer and water management
practices could be altered to reduce the amounts and concentrations of
P leaving farms in the EAA.
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Determine the Form of the Solution:
Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs)
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The management practices that have been proven
to work are called BMPs
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A BMP for the EAA is: An alternative agricultural
practice, that when implemented in the EAA, would result in a reduction
in P leaving farms while NOT threatening the viability of the agricultural
industry.
BMPs must be:
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Technically feasible
Economically viable
Socially acceptable
Scientifically sound |
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Find Cooperators and Contributors
(1986-1992)
South Florida Water Management District
Florida Sugar Cane GrowerÃs Cooperative
United States Sugar Corporation
Florida Crystals Corporation (Flo-Sun)
Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association
Roth Farms, Incorporated
Over $2,000,000
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Contributors and Cooperators
(1992-2000)
Everglades Agricultural Area Environmental
Protection District
Florida Department of Environmental
Protection
Florida Sugar Cane GrowerÃs Cooperative
United States Sugar Corporation
Florida Crystals Corporation (Flo-Sun)
Roth Farms, Incorporated
Over $6,000,000
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Conduct Research and Extension
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Conduct an exhaustive literature review.
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Conduct replicated small scale studies.
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Conduct representative farm scale implementation
and efficacy verification studies.
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Study the effects of the practices on crops,
soils, and farm viability.
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Assemble all new knowledge and determine whether
further investigations would be beneficial.
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Both Laboratory And Field Studies
Are Necessary
Hydraulically isolated large
plots for screening BMPs.
After Research Is Completed, Results
Are Analyzed And Recommendations Can Be Made
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Results of the Early Studies
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Banding rather than broadcasting fertilizer
reduced agricultural P concentrations and loads - BUT, the practice could
lead to spikes if heavy rains occurred right after application.
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Fast and slow drainage rates can cause either
increases or decreases in agricultural P concentrations and loads. Therefore,
the optimum pumping rate and duration needs to be found for each farm.
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Avoiding over or under drainage will yield
the best water quality leaving a farm.
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Rice can be used as a phosphorus sink and
export crop as long as the flood waters are handled properly.
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Sugarcane is the best crop for the EAA since
it uses very little fertilizer and is flood and drought tolerant.
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Computer Simulation Model
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Recommended BMPs and Expected Results
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Finally, Information Can Be Sent
Out To The End User
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Refereed Publications
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Extension Publications
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Literature Review Book
Next: Agricultural Best Management Practices
From Concepts to Reality Through Science
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