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Presentations and Discussions Technology Briefings May 1999 Forum


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Last updated: October 11, 2002
South Florida Restoration Science Forum

Sustainable Agriculture

Best Management Practices - What Are They?

Poster presented May 1999, at the South Florida Restoration Science Forum

Part 1

University of Florida The Water Resources Group
Everglades Research and Education Center
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
University of Florida
Belle Glade, Florida 33430
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

From Scientific Concepts to Farm Management: The Everglades Agricultural Area Experience

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
  • The process begins with assessing the problems and developing possible solutions.
  • Research is conducted at the small scale to test the hypotheses and develop alternative management practices.
  • The most promising practices are tested at the farm scale.
  • Extension programs help farm managers implement practices after scientific proof is obtained.

Identify the Problem
  • It was alleged that phosphorus (P) in agricultural drainage water from the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) was negatively impacting surrounding ecosystems.
  • In addition, it was alleged that agricultural fertilizer management was the primary cause of elevated P concentrations and loads.

Formulate the Hypotheses
  • Although fertilizer could be causing elevated P levels in water leaving the EAA, water management practices were probably more at fault.
  • Agricultural fertilizer and water management practices could be altered to reduce the amounts and concentrations of P leaving farms in the EAA.

Determine the Form of the Solution: Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs)
  • The management practices that have been proven to work are called BMPs
  • 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:
 Technically feasible 
Economically viable 
Socially acceptable 
Scientifically sound

Find Cooperators and Contributors
(1986-1992)
South Florida Water Management District
Florida Sugar Cane Growerís Cooperative
United States Sugar Corporation
Florida Crystals Corporation (Flo-Sun)
Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association
Roth Farms, Incorporated
 
Over $2,000,000

Contributors and Cooperators
(1992-2000)
Everglades Agricultural Area Environmental Protection District
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Florida Sugar Cane Growerís Cooperative
United States Sugar Corporation
Florida Crystals Corporation (Flo-Sun)
Roth Farms, Incorporated
 
Over $6,000,000

Conduct Research and Extension
  • Conduct an exhaustive literature review.
  • Conduct replicated small scale studies.
  • Conduct representative farm scale implementation and efficacy verification studies.
  • Study the effects of the practices on crops, soils, and farm viability.
  • Assemble all new knowledge and determine whether further investigations would be beneficial.

photo of laboratory
photo of field
Both Laboratory And Field Studies Are Necessary

photo of farmland
Hydraulically isolated large
plots for screening BMPs.

After Research Is Completed, Results Are Analyzed And Recommendations Can Be Made
Results of the Early Studies
 
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Avoiding over or under drainage will yield the best water quality leaving a farm.
  • Rice can be used as a phosphorus sink and export crop as long as the flood waters are handled properly.
  • Sugarcane is the best crop for the EAA since it uses very little fertilizer and is flood and drought tolerant.
EAAMOD User's Manual
list of recommended BMPs and results
Computer Simulation Model
Recommended BMPs and Expected Results

Finally, Information Can Be Sent Out To The End User

publications
publications
Refereed Publications
Extension Publications
book
Literature Review Book


Next Next: Agricultural Best Management Practices
From Concepts to Reality Through Science


U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Center for Coastal Geology
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Last updated: 11 October, 2002 @ 09:42 PM (HSH)