Tile flow – When does it happen, what’s in it, and agronomic factors that impact it
2021
- Discovery Farms Minnesota
- UW Discovery Farms
Project Media
Subsurface tile drainage from agricultural fields removes gravitational water from the soil profile which
creates benefits for agricultural production including better plant establishment, growth, and yield and can
reduce the risk of surface runoff and associated soil and nutrient losses. However, tile drainage also
presents additional pathways for potential nutrient movement and it is important to understand the
agricultural management practices that can limit this risk. Discovery Farms programs in Wisconsin and
Minnesota have conducted edge-of-field tile water quality monitoring since 2004. This includes work on
49 farms and 187 site years of data. This comprehensive dataset has assessed differences in surface runoff
and tile drainage and identified management practices to enhance agricultural production and reduce
water quality risks.