2021
Survey of Spray Application Water Quality
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Contributor/Checkoff:
South Carolina Soybean Board
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
DiseaseField management Pest
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
William Hardee, Clemson University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
South Carolina Soybean Board
$2,500
Leveraged Funding (Non-Checkoff):
$2500 from the SC Cotton Board
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Institution Funded:
Clemson University
$2,500
Brief Project Summary:

Certain water quality parameters, mainly hardness and pH, negatively impact pesticide performance in soybean production. When pesticide performance is decreased, crop protection and ultimately profits, suffer. This project is collecting and analyzing water samples from the 23 counties in the eastern half of the state, from water sources used for the spray application of pesticides. The results will be used to see how various water quality parameters affect pesticide performance in South Carolina. The analysis provides baseline data that will help determine the biggest water quality issues and guide future studies to help Clemson Extension develop recommendations to correct or work around these issues.

Key Benefactors:
farmers, agronomists, extension agents

Information And Results
Project Deliverables

• Present Findings at local meetings
• Write an Extension publication and/or factsheet
• Use data for future research projects in:
o Assisting growers with correcting water quality issues
o. Adjust spray applications as needed
o Irrigation water
o Greenhouse

Final Project Results

Updated January 18, 2022:
99 samples for 23 counties have been taken in 23 different counties. Samples were submitted to and analyzed by Clemson's Ag Service Laboratory. More samples will need to be taken from the following counties; Berkley, Colleton, Jasper, and Hampton. I hope to accomplish this within the next month or so.

View uploaded report PDF file

Pending. So far, varying pH, water hardness, etc. levels across the state show the importance of testing your own water sources. Although most of the more serious issues seem to be in areas closer to the coast, there were unacceptable levels found across the survey area.

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.