Work is proceeding quickly on installation of drain tile at the “Blight Farm”, the quarantine area at the Crittenden Farm. The tiling is part of an effort to create conditions ideal for research on innovative controls of phytophthora blight. The plan is to install a little over a mile of drain tile on the 8-acre site. George Disbrow designed the drainage in close consultation with Chris Smart and the other researchers to meet the unusual research requirements.

Greg Wadhams, Craig Ingerick and George Disbrow of the Field research unit installing drain tile at the "Blight Farm"
Greg Wadhams, Craig Ingerick and George Disbrow of the Field Research Unit installing drain tile at the “Blight Farm”
Drainline trenches go through existing experiments. Pumpkins in the field keep the disease pressure where it is needed over winter, and cover crop roots make small channels to help water reach the drain.

Drainline trenches go through existing experiments. Pumpkins in the field keep the disease pressure where it is needed over winter, and cover crop roots make small channels to help water reach the drain.

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