Subsurface drainage has increased dramatically in eastern South Dakota over the last several years. The goal of this research is to demonstrate the utility of using saturated buffers as a conservation drainage practice to remove nitrate from tile drain water. Data collected from the site will be used to evaluate the performance of a saturated buffer, track installation costs and estimate the cost per pound of nitrate removed. We expect the project will lead to improved recommendations for conservation drainage practices in South Dakota that maximizes the economic benefits of drainage and minimizes the potential negative environmental impacts. Producers will be able to evaluate which conservation...
1. Demonstrate and evaluate saturated buffers placed at the edge of fields to reduce nitrate loads from subsurface drainage systems to receiving waters in eastern South Dakota. 2. Disseminate this information to stakeholders.
The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.