GOAL IV:To Enhance the Quality of the Environment Through Better Understanding of and Building on Agriculture’s and Forestry’s Complex Links with Soil, Water, Air, and Biotic Resources.

Analysis of Results:This goal is the focus of much of ARS’ research on a wide range of environmental issues related to agriculture. Under Goal IV, 42 Indicators are aligned under 18 Performance Goals. Because of the unique and dynamic nature of research, several Indicators were added to the Report that did not first appear in the Annual Performance Plan for FY 1999. This was done to ensure that significant accomplishments that were not anticipated last year were reported. While it is not possible to report research accomplishments numerically, the progress projected in 41 Indicators was completed or substantially completed during FY 1999. One Indicator was not successfully completed and the report explains the reasons.

OBJECTIVE 4.1:Balance agriculture and the environment: 'Increase the long-term productivity of the United States agriculture and food industry while maintaining and enhancing the natural resource base on which rural America and the United States agricultural economy depend.'

STRATEGY 4.1.1:Natural resource quality: Develop new concepts, technologies, and management practices that will enhance the quality, productivity, and sustainability of the Nation's soil, water, and air resources.

Indicators:

During FY 1999, ARS will

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:ARS scientists in Corvallis, Oregon, in cooperation with personnel from the NRCS, completed a demonstration version of the Crop Rotation Economic and Environmental Impact Decision Aid. It helps land managers make informed decisions regarding cropping systems, maximizing profitability, and minimizing adverse impacts on the environment.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:Initial results from the demonstration version showed the ecological and economic advantages of using no-till technology on steep Oregon farmlands and employing minimal soil surface disturbance strategies for planting and harvesting forages. These results will specifically impact land managers in Oregon by maximizing productivity and minimizing soil loss due to erosion. These impacts will apply on a broader level when the tool is used by land managers.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:ARS scientists developed tools and approaches for soil quality assessment including a soil quality test kit, a manual for the test kit, and a book, 'Methods for Assessing Soil Quality.'

IMPACT/OUTCOME:These tools were transferred to the NRCS. Over 5,000 copies of the manual were distributed to NRCS field offices. The tools are being used by NRCS, producers, scientists, conservationists, and educators to assess the sustainability of agricultural management practices.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:A prototype version of the Nitrogen Leaching Economic Analysis Package with a JAVA interface has been delivered to NRCS field offices. ARS and NRCS cooperatively developed a continuous version of the Agricultural Non-Point Source (AGNPS), which is a practical model that is being used by NRCS to evaluate water quality control practices within large watersheds.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:NRCS field offices will use these tools to address water quality and global warming issues.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:An empirical wind erosion and dust emission model was completed by scientists in Pullman, Washington. This model allows regional dust emission estimates.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:Computations using this dust emission model provide knowledge for regional air quality agencies about the relative severity and general locations of dust emissions and expected impacts downwind in urban areas. The agency officials were able to develop a regional policy on wind erosion hazards and future practices to reduce these impacts.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:Scientists produced Polyacrylamide (PAM), which has been shown to improve water infiltration, prevent runoff, nearly eliminate erosion, and reduce chemical losses from irrigated land. Compared with conventional furrow irrigation, PAM-managed irrigation eliminates over 90 percent of runoff soil losses. Migration of microorganisms and transfer of weed seeds are greatly reduced. PAM is being promoted by NRCS and other Federal and State agencies for farmer use, and for erosion control from construction sites. About one million acres of irrigated farmland were protected from erosion using PAM in 1998.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:PAM reduces the spread of weeds and diseases and results in reduced need for pesticide application which improves surface water quality.

in cooperation with the NRCS and other Federal agencies, publish restoration guidelines and recommended practices in a new Stream Corridor Restoration Handbook. This will assist implementation of the Clean Water Action Plan, which is designed to create two million miles of buffer zones adjacent to waterways by 2002, construct 100,000 acres of wetlands by 2005, and restore 25,000 miles of stream corridors by 2005 .

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:The manual, 'Stream Corridor Restoration: Principles, Processes, and Practices,' was published in October 1998, and updated in November 1999 by the Federal Interagency Stream Corridor Restoration Working Group. The manual is used by those interested in restoring the functions of the Nation’s stream corridors.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:Forty-four percent of the rivers in the United States are degraded by sedimentation and excess nutrients. This manual is for managers trying to restore rivers to be used for drinking water, fish and wildlife habitat, recreation, agriculture, and flood prevention.

expand work on integrated livestock management systems that are needed for U.S. producers to compete successfully in meeting the food requirements of an ever increasing world population while managing waste problems to avoid adversely impacting air and water quality.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:ARS scientists in the Nutrition Research Unit, Clay Center, Nebraska, demonstrated that essential oils of two plants inhibited fermentation, odor emission, and pathogens when used at low levels with manure. Further evaluation under field conditions will be initiated.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:While preliminary results are promising, it is too early to determine whether the compounds will have application to solving odor and nutrient conservation problems in production facilities.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:Ineffective use of phytic acid forms of phosphorus in grain by monogastric animals such as poultry and swine has resulted in excessive levels of phosphorus in manure. ARS scientists have developed corn with lower levels of indigestible phytic acid without reducing total phosphorus.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:Poultry fed this low phytic acid corn used phosphorus in the grain more effectively and produced manure with 25 to 40 percent less phosphorus than poultry fed a diet of regular high phytic acid corn. The technology has been licensed to corn seed producers who are breeding the trait into elite corn lines. Commercial hybrids may be ready for release within two to three years.

Indicators:

During FY 1999, ARS will

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:Researchers at University Park, Pennsylvania, showed that more than 90 percent of the soluble phosphorus exported annually from an agricultural watershed in the Chesapeake Bay Basin came from less than 10 percent of the watershed area in a few large storms. A simple indexing tool, P Index, has been developed to identify and rank the vulnerability of soils, landscapes, and management practices to phosphorus loss in runoff. Researchers at several ARS laboratories (Bushland, Texas; Beltsville, Maryland; and University Park, Pennsylvania) have shown that phosphorus solubility in high phosphorus soils can be reduced by application of readily available low cost materials such as coal combustion byproducts, water treatment residuals, and caliche. These materials reduce soluble phosphorus moving to surface water in runoff but do not reduce crop yields.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:The P Index is now being used by the NRCS to identify sensitive areas and target management alternatives to reduce the phosphorus loss.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:ARS will release the full six year database from 10 sites within the Midwest MSEA project in early 2000.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:The data will be widely used to develop management practices that will reduce runoff from agricultural sources resulting in cleaner water.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:A modeling technique was developed to identify areas in a watershed that would contribute runoff to surface water bodies. When high surface runoff potential is combined with high soil phosphorus concentration, significant amounts of this nutrient can be transported to surface water during storm events. Studies within agricultural watersheds in the Chesapeake Bay Basin indicated that more than 90 percent of soluble phosphorus transported annually to surface water comes from only 8 percent of the land area in a watershed during a few large storms.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:These methods should allow identification of areas within a watershed that are vulnerable to nutrient losses. Producers can then protect water quality by directing appropriate management practices to a small fraction of their land area.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:ARS scientists have made significant progress toward the development of the Everglades Agro-Hydrology model. A second biological control, the sawfly Lobhyrotoma Zonalis , will soon be released to complement the highly successful oxyopus snout beetle in the control of the Melaleuca tree.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:Reduced environmental impacts of agriculture in the South Florida ecosystem will provide producers and residents of the area with more productive agriculture and a preserved habitat for recreation and posterity.

STRATEGY 4.1.2:Global change: Increase understanding of the responses of terrestrial ecosystems to manmade and natural changes in the global environment.

Indicators:

During FY 1999, ARS will

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:Carbon dioxide fluxes above typical grasslands scattered throughout the Central and Western U.S. have now been monitored through a growing season and in some cases a year long at 12 locations using Bowen ratio micrometeorological methods. In addition, clear plastic chambers were used at several locations to validate the Bowen ratio measurements and document the effects on fluxes of specific grassland management practices.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:These data are important in assessing agriculture’s role in climate change and making accurate predictions of agriculture’s impacts on global warming. At some locations, undisturbed grasslands proved to be significant carbon sinks by accumulating 0.4 to 1.0 kilograms of carbon per hectare per year, meaning that carbon was not 'lost' to the atmosphere. A single, highly productive tall grass prairie site in the Southern Great Plains appeared to have an average annual carbon storage rate of three kilograms of carbon per hectare per year. When carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere, it is considered a greenhouse gas that contributes to the phenomena known as climate change. The data from these 12 ARS locations will help document agriculture’s positive impact on climate change.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:A major challenge of manure management is to minimize ammonia losses, which have potential short- and long-term effects on the surrounding environment. ARS scientists measured emissions of ammonia, methane, and nitrous oxides from swine facilities, waste lagoons, and the effluent applied to land. Ammonia emissions from lagoons varied diurnally and seasonally, and were related to lagoon ammonia concentration, acidity, temperature, and wind turbulence. Measurements over a three year period indicated that ammonia emissions were far less than expected since a significant amount of ammonia in the lagoons was converted to harmless nitrogen gas.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:These investigations provided State and Federal regulatory agencies with realistic emission data factors for ammonia, methane, and nitrous oxides. These results also suggested that waste management systems can be manipulated to reduce ammonia emissions and maximize nitrogen gas emissions.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:Anaerobic lagoons are considered to be sources of greenhouse gases (methane and nitrous oxide) implicated in global warming and are potential air and water pollutants. ARS scientists produced statistical models that account for up to three-quarters of the variability in the emissions, thereby improving the day to day estimates of methane and ammonia emitted from Southeast swine facilities. Furthermore, scientists found that most of the nitrogen lost from the swine facilities was released as innocuous dinitrogen gas rather than ammonia.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:These studies improve the estimates of greenhouse gas emissions attributed to agriculture, and assist producers, regulatory agencies, and designers in minimizing the impact of high density animal production on the environment.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:ARS has gathered a significant amount of data on the sources and rates of greenhouse gas emissions. For example, this past year ARS scientists determined that carbon dioxide emissions (a greenhouse gas) from plowed fields were more than double those from no-till fields. ARS scientists (discussed in the first indicator under this goal) gathered vital data on greenhouse gas flux from grasslands, and drew some conclusions about the sources of flux. Sources and rates of greenhouse gasses from livestock production systems were documented in the previous indicator.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:Greenhouse gasses are thought to contribute to the phenomena known as climate change. More and accurate data documenting agriculture’s positive and negative contributions to greenhouse gasses will help predict future levels of greenhouse gasses and develop appropriate strategies to address their effects. This data will also help to address problems of current emissions by identifying sources of greenhouse gasses and devising strategies to lessen them.

Indicators:

During FY 1999, ARS will, with its cooperators, document the effects of rising atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and possible climate change on future competitiveness of weeds with crops and forages. The knowledge gained in a series of field experiments will be used to determine whether crop losses due to weeds increase with global warming, and evaluate the long-term effectiveness of current and projected weed control technologies.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:ARS scientists in Temple, Texas, found that elevated carbon dioxide levels (such as those expected in the future) reduced water loss by native grasses and increased soil moisture. Changes in soil moisture were associated with an 80 percent increase in mesquite seedling establishment and a 40 percent increase in seedling growth. These results suggest that changes in atmospheric composition may have deleterious effects on rangeland species composition.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:The invasive growth of undesirable species such as mesquite on U.S. grazing lands is a serious problem. Atmospheric carbon dioxide has risen 30 percent in the last century and is expected to double within the next 100 years. This change may affect competition between desirable and undesirable species. Research such as this increases the understanding of problems that may arise from climate change thus enabling producers to be better prepared to face them with minimal economic impact.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:ARS scientists in Beltsville, Maryland, have shown that the sensitivity of lambs quarters to glyphosate, the active ingredient in a widely used herbicide, is reduced at carbon dioxide levels expected in the next century. Application at the recommended levels killed 100 percent of the plants at ambient carbon dioxide levels, but higher levels of the herbicide were required for 100 percent kill when the carbon dioxide level doubled. In contrast, the sensitivity of pigweed which uses a different pathway for carbon assimilation was not affected.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:Photosynthesis and growth are stimulated in weeds such as lambs quarters that use the so-called C3 pathway for carbon assimilation when carbon dioxide levels are raised. These results indicate that weed management strategies may require modification in the future as atmospheric composition changes. Understanding problems that may arise in the future will allow for the development of strategies to address increased weed growth with limited economic or environmental impact.

STRATEGY 4.1.3:Cropland and grazing land sustainability: Develop cropland and grazing land management strategies that will improve quality, quantity, and sustainability of food and fiber products needed for U.S. competitiveness.

Indicators:

During FY 1999, ARS will

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:Considerable progress was made identifying genes in plants controlling apomixis, a novel and rather infrequent form of reproduction that 'freezes' hybrid vigor. Scientists hope to use the gene controlling apomixis to encourage this type of reproduction in corn. This, in turn, will help maintain the positive aspects of hybridization over much longer periods of time than presently possible.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:A more stable hybridization process saves producers money that would be spent revitalizing their crops. It also means that crops will remain as productive as possible over a longer period of time.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:Scientists have worked diligently to provide timely, pertinent information on grazing land and cropland management strategies. They do this in a variety of arenas. In one example ARS scientists from Beckley, West Virginia work directly with producers and advisory personnel (NRCS, Extension Service), and even teach components at the West Virginia University Extension Service Forage Livestock School. Another example comes from Corvallis, Oregon, where ARS’ best management practice options are being incorporated into guides used by NRCS and Oregon State University Extension Service. Numerous locations meet with producers and local government agencies on a regular basis not only to provide information, but to gain input on their research.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:The information provided by ARS’ locations on cropland and grazing land management strategies are vital to producers and others in the agriculture system. The information provides opportunities for producers to be more profitable and less harmful to the environment.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:Scientists in Boise, Idaho, have made the field-scale prototype version of the SPUR 2000. This version has been demonstrated to NRCS and is available to other scientists interested in rangeland ecosystem processes. The model should be available to end users in 2001.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:This model combines the best of SPUR, a model that simulates soil-plant-animal-climate interactions and process, and WEPP, a model that predicts erosion. The resulting tool helps managers select appropriate and alternative management techniques to protect rangeland environment and optimize production of goods and services on that land.

OBJECTIVE 4.2:Risk management: 'Improve risk management in the United States agriculture industry.'

STRATEGY 4.2.1:Economic and environmental risks: Reduce economic and environmental risks through improved management of agricultural production systems.

Indicators:

During FY 1999, ARS will provide information to agencies, organizations, and farmers on the economic and environmental risks associated with various crop production systems in cooperation with State Agricultural Experiment Stations.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:The Wisconsin Integrated Cropping Systems Trial project, a cooperative project involving ARS, the University of Wisconsin, and the Michael Fields Institute, showed that six different cropping systems that reduced input of chemicals and pesticides and increased diversity (more crops and/or addition of livestock into the operation) were economically competitive with high input systems even if yields were slightly less. The reduced input systems are also environmentally better.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:Producers can decrease environmental and economic risks by reducing inputs and increasing diversity systems.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:Climatic research has adapted a daily precipitation model to include the influence of El Nino when modeling precipitation. This significantly improves model output and can be also used to identify seasonal and regional differences in impacts of El Nino in the U.S.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:Although much of the initial research is complete, the findings have not yet been adapted for use in application models or disseminated through the Internet and technical publications.

Not enough progress has been made in the research effort directed towards this Performance Indicator. Three ARS locations have been directly involved with El-Nino forecasts but, to date, only one of them, El Reno, has had any direct contact with the NOAA Climate Prediction Center. The El Reno location is planning to develop close cooperation in the future, using the new staff climatologist formerly with the National Weather Service who was hired in August 1999.

STRATEGY 4.2.2:Weather and environmental risks: Develop concepts and technologies for predicting and reducing the socio-economic costs and resource damages associated with extreme weather variability.

Indicators:

During FY 1999, ARS will

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:Research is presently underway to evaluate the performance of vegetated earth embankments subjected to overtopping. The three phase earth spillway erosion technology developed for the NRCS SITES software serves as the beginning for this effort. Initial results of full scale overtopping tests suggest that it may be possible to extend this technology to the steeper slopes of earth embankments. The goal of the research is to predict the extent of overtopping required to breach a specific embankment, and the rate of breach , and develop a breach hydrograph once breach has been initiated.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:An International Dam Breach Processes Workshop, jointly sponsored by the ARS and the Bureau of Reclamation was held in March 1998. This workshop brought together engineers and scientists to discuss technology related to dam breach, including that related to overtopping of vegetated earth embankments. The purpose of the research and the exchange is to limit the damage or the incidence of embankment breaches.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:Developed an improved computer model to predict the likelihood of epidemics of rust and smut diseases of wheat, barley and other grains. The model, named 'Morecrop,' uses environmental data to predict when conditions are conducive to disease development and when growers should apply fungicide.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:Rust and smut diseases of wheat and other small grains cause significant losses each year. Growers frequently need to apply fungicides to prevent disease epidemics, but the timing of applications is critical. Guided by 'Morecrop,' farmers can effectively spray when needed and avoid unnecessary applications.

OBJECTIVE 4.3:Safe production and processing: 'Improve the safe production and processing of, and adding of value to, United States food and fiber resources using methods that maintain the balance between yield and environmental soundness.'

STRATEGY 4.3.1:Environmentally safe pest management: Develop environmentally safe methods to prevent or control pests (insects, weeds, pathogens, etc.) in plants, animals, and ecosystems.

Indicators:

During FY 1999, ARS will

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:ARS scientists found that oocysts from Cryptosporidium parvum, a protozoan parasite causing diarrheal illness and death in livestock and humans, could survive and remain infectious in seawater for twelve weeks suggesting the possible concentration of filter feeders such as oysters. A subsequent study found Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in oysters from 11 tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. Oocysts were found to adhere to or become entrapped by soil after which they rapidly decompose.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:These results highlight the need for improved manure management to prevent oocyst contamination of water. Management practices that incorporate oocyst contaminated manure into the soil should prevent leaching of oocysts to groundwater or runoff to surface waters.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:ARS scientists in Gainesville, Florida have established a cooperative agreement with the Southern Legislative Council (SLC), Council of State Governments (CSG) for release of biocontrol agents in the fire ant infested states of the SLC. Phorid flies were released in the eight states: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama and Tennessee. The flies have expanded to cover more than 120 acres at one site. In addition, flies were seen attacking fire ant colonies almost three miles from the nearest known fire ant infested population. Similarly, Thelohania solenopsae were released and have been monitored for over two and one-half years. Infections of the fire ant pathogens were detected in six of the ten states where field inoculations were made in 1999 to evaluate the efficacy of the pathogen under different geographic and climate conditions. Fire ant populations were reduced by as much as 61 percent in a field site where natural infections of the fire ant pathogens occurred.

In addition, ARS scientists have helped APHIS - Plant Pest Quarantine (PPQ) in streamlining their treatment protocols to eliminate the risk of expansion of fire ants through transport of nursery crops.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:This technology when integrated with baits will significantly reduce the use of pesticides for control of fire ants in urban, suburban and agricultural environments.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:The impending loss of methyl bromide for pre-plant soil fumigation is a serious threat to growers of many crops because of anticipated increased loss to disease. Integrated strategies involving application of alternative chemicals, use of disease-resistant varieties, and improved cultural practices were tested on a commercial scale in grower production fields in California (strawberries and perennials) and Florida (tomatoes). These were scale-ups of the treatments found most promising in small-scale plots. Some treatments were nearly as effective as methyl bromide fumigation in these trials, but they are likely to be more expensive and their effectiveness may vary from year to year and location to location.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:Practical and feasible alternatives to methyl bromide are critical to maintaining profitability for many crops and allowing growers to remain in business.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:Leafy spurge, a Eurasian native, is one of the most pernicious rangeland weeds to invade the United States. It displaces native vegetation, reduces cattle grazing and wildlife habitats, decreases rangeland plant diversity, and lowers land values. Currently, more than five million acres in 29 States are infested. ARS scientists at Sidney, Montana, have led an areawide management partnership program since 1997 in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming using a weed predator, the Apthona flea beetle, and other biological and cultural practices. Where Apthona species have become established, the insects eliminated leafy spurge and the areas continue to remain free of the weed. The flea beetles may require time but they appear to be a permanent long-term, and low cost solution.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:In 1999, at a 'Spurgefest' field day in Medora, North Dakota, 20 million Apthona flea beetles were given to 206 ranchers and land managers from 50 different counties in seven States for use in eliminating this serious weed pest.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:Saltcedar is an invasive exotic weed intentionally introduced from Eurasia for erosion control and as an ornamental plant which has escaped cultivation. It now invades virtually all riparian corridors in the West. A multiagency 'Saltcedar Consortium' was developed and led by ARS to aid in program planning. The first biological control agent for saltcedar, a Diorhabda leaf feeding beetle, was released from field cages at eight sites in six Western States, and plans are in place for long-term evaluation and monitoring.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:In FY 1999, ARS provided funding in the amount of $1,089,325 to the USDA Office of Pest Management. These funds covered salaries (including benefits) and operating costs for 11 FTE.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:ARS support ensured the operation of the Office of Pest Management in FY 1999.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:Vaccination coupled with anticoccidial drugs are more effective than anticoccidial drugs alone. Trials conducted by scientists in Beltsville, Maryland, showed that broiler chicken flocks treated with anticoccidial drugs and vaccination outperformed flocks on anticoccidial drugs alone. This regimen was more effective in protection of chickens against coccidiosis, an economically important intestinal disease caused by an intracellular protozoan parasite.

Nasal application of fowlpox recombinant coccidiosis vaccine: Scientists at Beltsville, Maryland, demonstrated that nasal application of a fowlpox recombinant vaccine containing genes from the parasite, Coccidia, provided protective immunity in poultry against this economically important disease.

A new diagnostic test for toxoplasmosis in pigs: Scientists at Beltsville, Maryland, developed a rapid and sensitive ELISA test for detection of toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that causes serious disease in humans. One of the methods the parasite can be transmitted to humans is through consumption of undercooked infected meat. Toxoplasmosis is emerging as a nontariff trade barrier to U.S. exports of pork products. This new assay is as sensitive as the currently used agglutination test and will provide a more accurate and specific means for producers to monitor their herds for infection.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:The new approaches are leading to the reduced use of drugs and increasing use of integrated strategies. The new recombinant technologies will lead to more effective and economic methods of disease control.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:ARS scientists at Beltsville, Maryland, identified antigens (proteins) of Cryptosporidium parvum useful for diagnostic purposes and cloned DNA sequences encoding these antigens. Patents were obtained and additional patents are pending. ARS scientists developed a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for improved detection of Cryptosporidium parvum . It is now possible to detect Cryptosporidium in shellfish, surface water, and animal tissues, where they would be undetected or underdetected by conventional assays. Scientists have demonstrated that shellfish will take up oocysts from water and thereby can serve as excellent indicators of water pollution. Studies, extended from the laboratory to the field, demonstrated contamination of oysters from the Chesapeake Bay with Cryptosporidium oocysts in areas adjacent to cattle farms and in areas near waste water outfalls. Other shellfish (clams and mussels) were also found with infectious Cryptosporidium oocysts. Migratory waterfowl were shown to be mechanical vectors of infectious Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:This research has led to further investigation by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) to determine the risk of cryptosporidiosis in humans from eating undercooked raw shellfish or through contaminated water.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:ARS scientists in Gainsville, Florida, have established a cooperative agreement with the Southern Legislative Council (SLC), Council of State Governments (CSG) for release of biocontrol agents in the fire ant infested states of the SLC. Phorid flies were released in the eight states: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama and Tennessee. The flies have expanded to cover more than 120 acres at one site. In addition, flies were seen attacking fire ant colonies almost three miles from the nearest known fire ant infested population. Similarly, Thelohania solenopsae were released and have been monitored for over two and one-half years. Infections of the fire ant pathogens were detected in six of the ten states where field inoculations were made in 1999 to evaluate the efficacy of the pathogen under different geographic and climatic conditions. Fire ant populations were reduced by as much as 61 percent in a field site where natural infections of the fire ant pathogens occurred.

In addition, ARS scientists have helped APHIS - Plant Pest Quarantine (PPQ) in streamlining its treatment protocols to eliminate the risk of expansion of fire ants through transport of nursery crops.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:This technology when integrated with baits will significantly reduce the use of pesticides for control of fire ants in urban, suburban, and agricultural environments.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:ARS scientists at Beltsville, Maryland, developed a novel test method and module for the bioassay of new candidate repellents using human subjects. The new bioassay technology is significantly more efficient than anything previously used in repellent research. ARS scientists from Gainesville, Florida, have discovered compounds from human skin that attract and other compounds that repel hungry mosquitos. This knowledge is being used to develop attractant-antagonist-based personal protection systems for human and zooprophylaxis technology for livestock.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:This research will help the Department of Defense use alternate repellents to the current skin repellent, Deet, to protect U.S. troops overseas from blood sucking and disease transmitting insects.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:At the Bee Research Program Review at Beltsville, Maryland, ARS field tested a formic acid gel formulation for the control of Apistan resistant mites. A patent was granted to ARS in November 1997. In 1998, ARS licensed the patent to the industry, 'BetterBee' which obtained an EPA label in the biopesticide section. The 'BetterBee' has the production for mite control. In addition, ARS scientists at Beltsville, Maryland, and Weslaco, Texas, have developed a sensitive protocol to determine fluvalinate resistant bees. This method is being used by the beekeepers.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:This is an environmentally safe method of bee mite control. It is significantly contributing to the reduction of chemical method resistant parasites of bees.

STRATEGY 4.3.2:Integrated agricultural production systems: Develop knowledge and integrated technologies for promoting use of environmentally sustainable agricultural production systems.

Indicators:

During FY 1999, ARS will demonstrate production systems that restore or enhance soil, water, and air quality while maintaining productivity.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:The amount of nitrogen leaching from agricultural fields was reduced by using a combination of tests, such as crop chlorophyll levels, early and late spring nitrate measurements, crop rotations, tillage, and water management while maintaining productivity. The research was conducted at various ARS locations throughout the U.S. with each having a site specific cropping system so that, while the particular production system was unique for a region, the goal of reducing nitrogen loss to the environment was achieved.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:The impact is cleaner water because of less nonpoint source nitrogen pollution from agriculture.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:ARS scientists developed a high residue conservation tillage system for production of ultra narrow row cotton on marginal or degraded soils of the Southeastern United States. Using a narrow row system,

cotton yields increased up to 60 percent when compared to conventionally tilled standard row width cotton.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:Producers in the Southeastern U.S. are rapidly adopting this new technology. Acreage in ultra narrow row cotton production has increased from 3,500 acres in 1997 to approximately 200,000 acres in 1999.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:Scientists completed an analysis of 15 years of soil, plant, and water data collected from 36 plots in Northeastern Iowa. The purpose was to devise solutions to minimize the impact of agriculture on the environment through new and improved management practices. One finding showed that tillage practices that preserve or increase soil carbon (organic matter) can prevent the loss of nitrogen to surface or groundwater while improving the quality of the soil. A decision support system using this information will be available for use by producers in late 2000.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:Nitrogen leaching from agricultural fields is a serious water quality problem. Management techniques recommended from research of this type not only minimizes agriculture’s effect on the environment, but also keep farm land more productive by holding nutrients in the soil instead of permitting them to run off in the water.

Indicators:

During FY 1999, ARS will

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:ARS scientists worked with a validation team to test the new cotton model against field data. The validation team is an intermediate step between the completed software and actual beta testing. The model will be turned over to on-farm testers next season.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:The new cotton model is more robust and simulates cotton growth and production much better than it did at the start of the year. The model will assist cotton farmers in managing their cotton crops to optimize inputs, increase profitability, and reduce environmental impacts of their production, thus increasing profits and safeguarding water quality.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:The Revised Wind Erosion Equation is now called the Wind Erosion Prediction System. The first edition of the system was delivered to NRCS this year.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:The system provides a more reliable science-based technology for improving erosion prediction; developing soil, climate, and crop specific control strategies; and assessing erosion damage and environmental impact. This is important, because wind erosion causes about 44 percent of the 2.13 billion tons of soil lost per year from U.S. cropland. Soil loss and its degradation are associated with water and air pollution.

STRATEGY 4.3.3:Waste management and utilization: Develop and transfer cost effective technologies and systems that use agricultural, urban, and industrial wastes for production of food, fiber, and other products.

Indicators:

During FY 1999, ARS will develop methods for co-composting animal manure and yard products (grass, leaves), construction materials (plywood, sawdust, dry wall), and industrial (coal byproducts including fly ash) byproducts. Materials will be converted from wastes into beneficial products for use on urban, suburban and rural lands.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:A decision support system has been developed that makes possible the co-composting of manure, municipal, construction, and industrial byproducts to produce a consistent compost for use in agricultural and horticultural applications.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:Composting is an excellent method of recycling nutrients to provide organic matter for the soil. Increasing the types of material that can be composted and recycled benefits not only agriculture but also municipalities and industries.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:Methods were developed to co-compost manure with urban byproducts such as yard waste, while minimizing losses of nitrogen during the composting process.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:These methods should bring about development of urban and rural partnerships to convert municipal and animal wastes into valuable products for agricultural and horticultural uses. If yard wastes can be used in this manner, valuable landfill space will be saved.

Indicators:

During FY 1999, ARS will

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:A process has been developed by ARS scientists to convert poultry feather waste into fiber pulp with macroscopic consistency, texture, and hardness comparable to wood fiber. Products currently made from wood fiber could potentially be made from feather fiber. Feather fiber, as a raw material for commercial products, has a value 3 to 5 times greater than feather meal, which is currently produced from rendering feathers.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:Approximately one million tons of feather waste is generated annually by the U.S. poultry industry. The conversion of feather waste to fiber has the potential to create value added products and solve a major solid waste management problem for the poultry industry.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:ARS scientists at the Biological Engineering Research Unit in Clay Center, Nebraska, have made a nutrient fate model available nationally. Tests were conducted on cooperators’ farms and updates for improvements will continue.

IMPACT/OUTCOME:Use of the model will improve the efficiency of manure nutrient recycling and prevent phosphorus build up near the soil surface.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:ARS scientists at the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center, Madison, Wisconsin, conducted research on phosphorus in diets of lactating cows which confirms that farmers generally feed an amount in excess of the National Research Council (NRC) recommendations. The NRC recommendations are more than adequate, so farmers are wasting money and increasing the risk of phosphorus contamination of the environment. This information was made available to the NRC for updating the next revision of the 'Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle.'

IMPACT/OUTCOME:NRC validated information on phosphorus feeding will be incorporated into the next edition of the publication, 'Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle.' Application of the revised feeding levels will save farmers money and reduce the risk of phosphorus contamination of the environment.