Submitted to: Irrigation Associations Exposition and Technical Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: November 9, 2000
Publication Date: N/A
Technical Abstract: Pollution of surface and groundwater from irrigation return flow is an important vector for transport of micro-organisms. We determined the efficacy of polyacrylamide (PAM) to remove micro-organisms in irrigation water. After water traveled 40 meters down the furrow, the PAM treatment reduced algae, total bacteria and fungi and active bacteria and fungi related to the control treatment. Flowing water is an important vector for many plant and human pathogens. Beyond furrow irrigated agriculture, new methods to manage overland transmission of harmful micro-organisms could potentially help control transport of pathogens from animal waste in runoff and groundwater.