Research Projects

On-going research projects:

1. Assessing tile depth and spacing impact on nutrient losses and crop production (Funded by: Illinois Nutrient Research & Education Council; Duration: 2018-23)

2. Watershed-scale Response of Agricultural Systems to Drainage Water Management in Central Illinois (Funded by: Illinois Nutrient Research & Education Council; Duration: 2019-23)

3. Evaluation of net-free erosion blankets (Funded by: Illinois Department of Transportation, Duration: 2021-23)

4. Illinois Department of Transportation’s Seeding Standards and Best Management Practices (Funded by: Illinois Department of Transportation, Duration: 2022-25)

5. A novel system for agricultural runoff treatment to remove nutrients and pathogens (Funded by: ABE Research and Innovation Seed Grant, Duration: 2022-23)

Completed project(s):

1. Development of Low-Water Crossing Design Guidelines for Very Low ADT Routes in Illinois (Funded by: Illinois Department of Transportation; Duration: 2015-16).

2. Accuracy of LiDAR-derived topographic information for engineering work (Funded by: USDA-NRCS; Duration: 2016-18).

3. Evaluation of various products for perimeter barrier (Funded by: Illinois Department of Transportation, Duration: 2018-21)

4. Evaluation of alternate water sources for specialty crop production in Illinois (Funded by: USDA Specialty Crop Program; Duration: 2018-20)

5. Balancing water quality and nutrient management goals for the sustainable intensification of corn systems (Funded by: Dudley Smith Initiative, University of Illinois; Duration: 2016-21).

6. Assessing synergies and trade-offs of recommended BMPs to reduce nutrient losses (Funded by: Illinois Nutrient Research & Education Council; Duration: 2016-21).

7. Web-based decision support tool for cover crop management (Funded by: Illinois Nutrient Research & Education Council; Duration: 2017-22)

8. Detection and attribution of recent changes in phosphorus loadings in the Illinois River
watershed ((Funded by: Illinois Nutrient Research & Education Council; Duration: 2021-22)