experimental drainage plots
The Experimental Drainage Field at the Southeast Purdue Agricultural Center (SEPAC) was initiated in 1983 by researchers in Purdue's Departments of Agronomy and Agricultural & Biological Engineering.
The original goal of the project was to evaluate the effectiveness of modern subsurface drainage practices on both soil drainage and crop yield, on a soil that was traditionally not subsurface- ("tile-") drained. Additional goals were added time and included study of nitrate and pesticide leaching into drain water as well as impacts of drainage and agronomic management practices on soil quality.
funding: Purdue Ag. Research Programs; USDA-NIFA Hatch project 87887
New Summaries (2020)
ID: AY-396-W
Description: Subsurface "tile" drainage is an essential agricultural water management practice on naturally poorly drained soils. This publication presents a brief synopsis of key takeaways from a 35-year study at the Southeast Purdue Agricultural Center (SEPAC).
More detailed discussions are provided in a series of three publications, AY-397-W, AY-398-W, and AY- 399-W.
Published: June 2020
ID: AY-397-W
Description: This is Part 1 of a 3-part series on a 35-year drainage study at the Southeast Purdue Agricultural Center in Butlerville, Indiana. Dr. Eileen Kladivko discusses cash crop establishment and yield as affected by drain spacing.
Published: June 2020
ID: AY-398-W
Description: Part 2 of a 3-part series on a 35-year drainage study at the Southeast Purdue Agricultural Center in Butlerville, Indiana. Dr. Eileen Kladivko discusses the effects of drainage on cover crop growth and the effectiveness of other conservation practices on improving crop growth and soil properties.
Published: June 2020
ID: AY-399-W
Description: Part 3 of a 3-part series on a 35-year drainage study at the Southeast Purdue Agricultural Center in Butlerville, Indiana. Dr. Eileen Kladivko discusses drain spacing effects on the amount of water and nitrate-nitrogen leaving the field in drainflow, and the effects of cover crops on those losses.
Published: June 2020
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