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Farmers key to reduce toxic algae in Lake Erie

 

 

Partners in the Lake Erie watershed are working to reduce the buildup of toxic algae bloom in the lake each year by 40 percent and one Ohio State researcher says farmers are the key to achieving that.

Dr. Jay Martin with Ohio State University says by modifying how farmers cultivate their crops on land, reductions in toxic algae will reach that 40 percent threshold.

“We did find multiple pathways to get to the 40% reduction so it is possible to get to that goal. The challenge is we not only need to continue our adoption of best management plans in the agriculture community but greatly accelerate those adoption rates.” said Martin.

The Ohio State University Farm to Faucet Initiative has developed several management practices to help fields retain phosphorous. Martin says injecting phosphorous into the soil is the best way to retain the phosphorous into the soil.

“So instead of broadcasting the phosphorous and leaving it on the surface of the soil, getting that fertilizer in contact with the soil either through injection or incorporation. Injection is preferable but incorporation is a good way to go too.” said Martin.

Cover crops and buffer strips along crop fields are other effective methods to retain phosphorous.

Martin says the real challenge is getting farmers to adopt some of these management practices because they can be expensive to implement.

Audio: Dr. Jay Martin, Ohio State University