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New tool for cleaning up soils and waterways in the San Joaquin Valley: Prickly Pear

Posted by: Maven on January 18, 2012 at 6:23 am

From the USDA Agricultural Research Service:

“A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist has discovered what may be an effective tool for cleaning up soils and waterways in parts of California’s San Joaquin Valley: a drought-tolerant cactus.

Ancient seas once covered the west side of the valley, and those seas left behind marine sediments, shale formations and deposits of selenium and other minerals in the soil. Crops grown there need to be irrigated, but the resulting runoff, when it contains high levels of selenium, can be toxic to fish, migratory birds, and other wildlife that drink from waterways and drainage ditches. Selenium runoff is subject to monitoring by regional water quality officials.

Soil scientist Gary Bañuelos with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) thinks he has found a promising way to rid the soil of selenium: planting prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica). … “

Continue reading from the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service by clicking here.

January 18, 2012 · Filed Under Agriculture, San Joaquin Valley

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One Response to “New tool for cleaning up soils and waterways in the San Joaquin Valley: Prickly Pear”

  1. New tool for cleaning up soils and waterways in the San Joaquin Valley: Prickly Pear - California Water Alliance (CalWA) on January 18th, 2012 7:19 am

    [...] See more here: New tool for cleaning up soils and waterways in the San Joaquin Valley: Prickly Pear [...]

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