Publication - Inconclusive Evidence for Use of Barley Straw for Algae Control
Title in English
Inconclusive Evidence for Use of Barley Straw for Algae Control
Publication ID
10929E
Published Year
2009
URL
Organization
Subject(s)
Type
Web Publication
Cost
Free Publication
Language
English
Region
Prairies (AB, MB, SK)
Also Available In:
Status
Available on the Web
Pages
1-2
Summary in English
Although European research suggests that barley straw can be used to reduce algae concentrations in surface waters, there have been no scientific assessments of this technology in the Canadian prairies. When we followed the techniques recommended in existing literature we found that algal reductions were inconsistent and not substantial enough to be viewed as a significant benefit to a producer.
We did find a slight reduction in algae concentration in the second year of the study when dose and water temperature were higher. This suggests that changes to the application techniques could possibly be used to overcome the limitations of water temperature.
Based on our findings we suggest that traditional best management practices such as Livestock Exclusion, Aeration, Gated Inlets, and Grassed Buffer Strips and Waterways be adopted to improve water quality in farm ponds. Severe blooms can be treated with copper sulphate but continued use of copper sulphate is not recommended as a good practice.
We did find a slight reduction in algae concentration in the second year of the study when dose and water temperature were higher. This suggests that changes to the application techniques could possibly be used to overcome the limitations of water temperature.
Based on our findings we suggest that traditional best management practices such as Livestock Exclusion, Aeration, Gated Inlets, and Grassed Buffer Strips and Waterways be adopted to improve water quality in farm ponds. Severe blooms can be treated with copper sulphate but continued use of copper sulphate is not recommended as a good practice.
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