Background Image Alternative Text: collecting water samples

Solving Problems

Our scientists’ systematically developed research programs investigate solutions to some of the most pressing challenges in our state, region, nation, and world: water quality and quantity, soil health, sustainable agriculture, and the use of technology to improve agronomic practices.


Water Quantity

Leveraging the power of emerging technologies to conserve water and preserve the alluvial aquifer drives our long-term research strategy. MWRRI Director Dr. Jason Krutz pioneered the RISER program while working as the state irrigation specialist in the Mississippi Delta, and he continues to seek practical ways for row crop producers to irrigate efficiently.

PIVOT Project Summary

LIVE Project Summary


Water Quality

As crop irrigation practices have increased, so has the need for evaluating the quality of the water leaving the fields. To better understand how various crop production practices influence water quality, MWRRI scientists and their collaborators are managing in-field demonstration and evaluation sites in the Lower Mississippi River Basin.

NRCS Project Summary

EPA Project Summary


Soil Health

MWRRI scientists investigate the interactions among soil, water, plants, and the atmosphere to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability. Through field experiments, continuous environmental monitoring, and process-based modeling, we develop resource-efficient, climate-resilient cropping systems. Our research focuses on evapotranspiration, greenhouse gas emissions, soil health, and climate-smart agriculture, with ongoing rice and corn studies across the Mississippi Delta and Black Belt.

Corn

Cover cropping and no-tillage in corn

Improved nitrogen management to mitigate greenhouse gases in corn

Organic crop production initiative

Rapid on-farm assessment of soil nitrate in corn

Rice

Evapotranspiration and ecosystem exchange in row rice

Greenhouse gas emissions in tailwater-reuse row rice

Polysulfate amendments to reduce methane from rice