Publications

Anaerobic digestion of manure with food processing waste resulted in renewable electricity production for 190 house and reduced 81% of greenhouse gas emissions from manure management. The solids were separated from the manure for composting, with the digester effluent injected into the soil as a fertilizer. This FactSheet is part of the ‘Animal Waste Technology’ series. Authors: Kirkland Mahoney, Amro Hassanein, and Stephanie Lansing; Title: A Case Study: Anaerobic Digestion of Dairy Manure and Food Processing Waste with Renewable Energy, Composting and Manure Injection (FS-2023-0694).

This brief provides homeowners with safe and responsible deicing salt stewardship practices. These practices can aid in safe walking, reduced costs and reducing environmental impact on water quality. Authors: Andrew Lazur, and Greg Sandi; Title: Being Salt Smart (EBR-2023-0666).

Drones, or UAVs, require a mix of hardware and software to operate and are controlled by ground stations. They offer numerous benefits in agriculture, such as precise crop monitoring, efficient resource management, and data collection. Challenges include high costs, certification requirements, and data interpretation. Key applications include crop scouting, spraying, seeding, yield estimation, and disease assessment. Despite challenges, ongoing research aims to maximize benefits and minimize limitations, promising a significant impact on agriculture. Authors: Hemendra Kumar and Ananth Sriram; Title: An Overview of Drones in Agriculture (FS-2024-0705).

Pythium blight is a significant disease affecting turfgrass in the Mid-Atlantic region, particularly during warm, humid conditions. This disease impacts both cool-season and warm-season turfgrass, with creeping bentgrass, perennial ryegrass, and annual bluegrass being most susceptible. Pythium blight is caused by several species of Pythium thriving in wet and humid environments. Symptoms include water-soaked, greasy lesions on leaves and stems, progressing to large, blighted patches. Management strategies involve cultural practices such as proper irrigation, soil aeration, and maintaining appropriate mowing heights. Biological control, though beneficial, is often insufficient alone. Chemical management remains crucial, though rotating products is essential to prevent fungicide resistance. Integrated disease management practices are recommended for maintaining healthy turfgrass and mitigating the impact of Pythium blight. Author: Fereshteh Shahoveisi; Turfgrass Diseases: Pythium Blight (FS-2024-0707).

Northern bobwhite quail populations in Maryland have experienced significant declines over the past 50 years. This publication provides a comprehensive guide to habitat management aimed at reversing this trend. The key strategy involves creating and managing early successional habitats, which are essential for quail survival. These habitats include a diverse mix of forbs, native bunchgrasses, and shrubby cover. Effective management practices highlighted in the guide include fallowing agricultural land, implementing forest management techniques, using prescribed fire, disking, applying herbicides, and managing grazing. Each practice contributes to maintaining the habitat structure necessary for quail and other species. By fostering these habitats, landowners can support not only quail but also a broader range of grassland and shrubland bird species, as well as other wildlife. The guide emphasizes that proactive and consistent habitat management is crucial for the recovery and long-term sustainability of northern bobwhite quail populations in Maryland. Author: Luke Macaulay; Title: Recovering Northern Bobwhite Quail: A Guide to Habitat Management (FS-2023-0683)

Composting is an aerobic biological process that transforms organic materials, such as manure, food waste, and yard waste, into a nutrient-rich soil conditioner called “compost.” This Factsheet is part of the “Animal Waste Technology” series. Authors: Amro Hassanein, Stephanie Lansing, and Danielle Delp; Title: Composting (FS-2023-0687).

Thermochemical processing technologies can be used to reduce the volume of low moisture waste and produce heat, syngas for renewable energy production, biochar, or bio-oil, depending on the temperature and oxygen conditions used in processing. This Factsheet is part of the “Animal Waste Technology” series. Authors: Amro Hassanein, Stephanie Lansing, and Danielle Delp; Title: Using Thermochemical Processes to Handle Agricultural Waste (FS-2023-0688).

Cover crops are crops planted for a primary purpose other than harvest. They are often grown during the time when the primary or harvested crop is not growing. Cover crops can be grown for a variety of agronomic and environmental purposes. However, the effect of cover crops on subsequent cash crops and the environment will vary depending on how intentionally and effectively they are managed to achieve those purposes. Cover crop species and mixtures, timing and growth window, termination, and the effect of cover crops on subsequent crops should all be considered when planning and implementing cover crop systems. Author: Sarah M. Hirsh; Title: Introduction to Growing Cover Crops in the Mid-Atlantic (FS-2023-0692).

Anerobic digestion uses natural microorganisms to produce renewable energy in the form of electricity, heating, or vehicle fuel. Anaerobic digestion occurs inside a sealed reactor called a digester and reduces odors and greenhouse gas emissions. This Fact Sheet is part of the ‘Animal Waste Technology’ series. Authors: Amro Hassanein, Stephanie Lansing, and Danielle Delp; Title: Anaerobic Digestion (EBR-2023-0686).

The digestive system naturally changes with age progression. These functional changes impact digestion-related organs such as the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines. These can also lead to and/or contribute to some digestive disorders and chronic diseases. This publication explains these age-related physiological changes and strategies for maintaining good gut health. Author's: Mona Habibi, Dhruti Patel, and Cheryl Bush; Title: Keep Your Gut Healthy: A Quick Good Gut Health Guide for Older Adults (FS-2023-0668).