Publications

Authors: J. Richard Nottingham

Dry field conditions that are ideal for a successful fall harvest also bring the danger of combine fires. Dry crop residue provides the tinder, and a tiny spark or heat source is all that is necessary for a combine fire to start. Combine fires can lead to lost time, substantial property damage, and even injury or loss of life. This fact sheet will share what you can do to lessen your risk. Author: J. Richard Nottingham; Preventing Combine Fires (FS-845).

Authors: Andrea Franchini - Jose-Luis Izursa - Neith Little

Aquaponics is a soilless farming method that combines aquaculture and hydroponics. By combining the two methods the user achieves a mutually beneficial system of plant and fish production that can produce high-yield crops with limited space and water. This factsheet is a step-by-step guide to building a small aquaponics system using repurposed Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) and parts easily found online or at your local aquarium and hardware stores. Do-it-yourself construction may save farmers money on startup costs and may provide a system with which they can learn and practice aquaponic methods before investing in larger or commercial-scale systems. Authors: Andrea Franchini, Jose-Luis Izursa, Neith Grace Little; Title: How to Build a Low-Cost, Small-Scale Aquaponic System

Authors: Amro Hassanein - Stephanie Lansing - Danielle Delp

The greenhouse gas emissions from manure storage and emissions reductions that could be realized through implementation of three animal waste technologies (anaerobic digestion, composting, and thermochemical processing) are presented. This Factsheet is part of the “Animal Waste Technology” series. Authors: Amro Hassanein, Stephanie Lansing, and Danielle Delp; Title: Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions through Improved Manure Management (FS-2023-0689).

Authors: Kirkland Mahoney - Amro Hassanein - Stephanie Lansing

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).

Authors: Hemendra Kumar, Ph.D. - Ananth Sriram

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).

Authors: Fereshteh Shahoveisi, Ph.D.

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).

Authors: Amro Hassanein - Stephanie Lansing - Danielle Delp

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).

Authors: Amro Hassanein - Stephanie Lansing - Danielle Delp

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).

Authors: Sarah Hirsh

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).

Authors: Amro Hassanein - Stephanie Lansing - Danielle Delp

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).