Expert: Richard Clark - 11/30/2009

Question
QUESTION: I live at buckeye lake Ohio, we have a problem with nitrates and phosphates causing algae blooms in the lake. We are looking at making recommendations for the farmers and home owners in the water shed to help cut down on the amounts that run off. What would you recommend for the farmers. Mostly corn and soybeans in our area.

ANSWER: Herman
If I could give you the correct answer, I could retire just by telling everyone who lives by a water shed how to stop the algae and that would stop the bloom that is toxic to fish and animals.
Sorry I don't know what to tell you that will fix the problem.
Richard

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QUESTION: So there is not a worst, better, best as far as how the farmers should apply fertilizer. I have heard that they can use an injection method for nitrates which cuts run off?  

Answer
Herman
I don't know of any farmer that would like to put on so much fertilizer that he is wasting it. Yes they can inject anhydrous ammonia or NH3 into the soil. As long as you do not get too much water on the field it will stay in the root zone and be used by the plant. You can spread dry fertilizer on the field and again if you don't have too much water on the field it will also stay in the soil to be used by the plant. I hope this is what you wanted to know.
Richard