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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbus, Ohio » Soil Drainage Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #263223
Title: Three years of crop yields using drainage water management at eight sites in Ohio

Author
item GHANE, EHSAN - The Ohio State University
item SHEDEKAR, VINAYAK - The Ohio State University
item SHANG, YUHUI - The Ohio State University
item GUNN, KPOTI - The Ohio State University
item BROWN, LARRY - The Ohio State University
item Fausey, Norman

Submitted to: ASABE Annual International Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/14/2011
Publication Date: 8/7/2011
Citation: Ghane, E., Shedekar, V., Shang, Y., Gunn, K., Brown, L., Fausey, N.R. 2011. Three years of crop yields using drainage water management at eight sites in Ohio [abstract]. ASABE Annual International Meeting.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Drainage water management (NRCS-Practice Code 554) is an important water management practice for dealing with nitrate-loading across the Midwest US. A multi-year study is being conducted in Ohio to evaluate the effects of drainage water management on crop yield and water quality. We have installed water table control structures (WTCS) in fields with subsurface drainage. At each demonstration farm we have two zones; one for subsurface drainage only, and one for managed subsurface drainage. Thus we have a side-by-side comparion between conventional subsurface drainage and Drainage Water Management. Both zones at a farm have similar soils, topography, cropping and nutrient management, etc. Crop yields from eight sites for three years (2008-2010) are being analyzed. Preliminary results for 2008-2009 for corn indicated that drainage water management improved crop yields in six out of eight farm sites in 2008, and crop yields increased in four out of eight fields in 2009. The corn yield increase from drainage water management over both of these years and over eight farms ranged from 2 to 20 %. After two years of growing corn and soybean crops at our demonstration farms, it appears that the crop yield benefit is variable and may be related to the type of crop being grown - corn or soybean, as well as other factors. Data from 2010 are being analyzed and will be added to the paper for the ASABE meeting presentation.