Education

Honors and Awards

• Future Leader in Agricultural Engineering, International Commission of Agricultural Engineering, The XV CIGR World Congress, 2002

Publications

Drainage water recycling reduced nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment losses from a drained agricultural field in eastern North Carolina, USA

Moursi, H., Youssef, M. A., Poole, C. A., Castro-Bolinaga, C. F., Chescheir, G. M., & Richardson, R. J. (2023), AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT, 279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2023.108179

Impact of controlled drainage on corn yield under varying precipitation patterns: A synthesis of studies across the US Midwest and Southeast

Youssef, M. A., Strock, J., Bagheri, E., Reinhart, B. D., Abendroth, L. J., Chighladze, G., … Pease, L. (2023), AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT, 275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2022.107993

Development and application of DRAINMOD model for simulating crop yield and water conservation benefits of drainage water recycling

Moursi, H., Youssef, M. A., & Chescheir, G. M. (2022), AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT, 266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2022.107592

Impact of controlled drainage on subsurface drain flow and nitrate load: A synthesis of studies across the US Midwest and Southeast

Helmers, M. J., Abendroth, L., Reinhart, B., Chighladze, G., Pease, L., Bowling, L., … Strock, J. (2022), AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT, 259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2021.107265

Paired field and water measurements from drainage management practices in row-crop agriculture

Abendroth, L. J., Chighladze, G., Frankenberger, J. R., Bowling, L. C., Helmers, M. J., Herzmann, D. E., … Youssef, M. (2022, June 1), SCIENTIFIC DATA, Vol. 9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-022-01358-7

Patterns of long-term variations of nitrate concentration - Stream discharge relationships for a drained agricultural watershed in Mid-western USA

Liu, W., Tian, S., Youssef, M. A., Birgand, F. P., & Chescheir, G. M. (2022), JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY, 614. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2022.128479

DRAINMOD modeling framework for simulating controlled drainage effect on lateral seepage from artificially drained fields

Youssef, M. A., Liu, Y., Chescheir, G. M., Skaggs, R. W., & Negm, L. M. (2021), AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT, 254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2021.106944

DRAINMOD-P: A MODEL FOR SIMULATING PHOSPHORUS DYNAMICS AND TRANSPORT IN DRAINED AGRICULTURAL LANDS: I. MODEL DEVELOPMENT

Askar, M. H., Youssef, M. A., Vadas, P. A., Hesterberg, D. L., Amoozegar, A., Chescheir, G. M., & Skaggs, R. W. (2021), TRANSACTIONS OF THE ASABE, 64(6), 1835–1847. https://doi.org/10.13031/trans.14509

DRAINMOD-P: A MODEL FOR SIMULATING PHOSPHORUS DYNAMICS AND TRANSPORT IN DRAINED AGRICULTURAL LANDS: II. MODEL TESTING

Askar, M. H., Youssef, M. A., Hesterberg, D. L., King, K. W., Amoozegar, A., Skaggs, R. W., … Ghane, E. (2021), TRANSACTIONS OF THE ASABE, 64(6), 1849–1866. https://doi.org/10.13031/trans.14510

Estimates of Precipitation IDF Curves and Design Discharges for Road-Crossing Drainage Structures: Case Study in Four Small Forested Watersheds in the Southeastern US

Amatya, D. M., Tian, S., Marion, D. A., Caldwell, P., Laseter, S., Youssef, M. A., … Vose, J. M. (2021), JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGIC ENGINEERING, 26(4). https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)HE.1943-5584.0002052

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Grants

A Decision Support Tool to Optimize Engineered Drain Design for Rural On-site Wastewater and Urban Stormwater Treatment Systems

Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE)(8/01/22 - 6/30/23)

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A Decision Support Tool to Optimize Engineered Drain Design for Rural On-site Wastewater and Urban Stormwater Treatment Systems

Sponsor: Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE)

Start Date: 8/01/22

End Date: 6/30/23

Abstract

This project aims at developing tools for the design of both on-site waste water treatment systems in rural communities of the state of Ohio as well as the design of bioretention cells for urban storm water management. This tool is based on the DRAINMOD computer simulation model. Dr. Youssef of NCSU will provide expertise and guide the Ohio team while using the DRAINMOD model to develop the target design tools. The small funding requested by Dr. Youssef will support the enhancement of the DRAINMOD model, which facilitate its use and application by the Ohio team.

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On-farm water capture and reuse: performance demonstration, economic feasibility, and design tool development

US Dept. of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS)(3/25/22 - 3/18/25)

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On-farm water capture and reuse: performance demonstration, economic feasibility, and design tool development

Sponsor: US Dept. of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS)

Start Date: 3/25/22

End Date: 3/18/25

Abstract

The the objectives of this integrated proposal are: 1) demonstrate and evaluate the crop yield and water quality benefits of drainage water capture and reuse for supplemental irrigation; 2) conduct an economic analysis to assess the feasibility of implementing the practice; 3) develop a design tool to optimize the performance of drainage water capture and reuse systems; and 4) educate the stakeholder on the proposed practice.

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Accelerating the Adoption of Saturated Buffers Using an Educational Decision-Support Tool

US Dept. of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS)(5/18/21 - 5/01/24)

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Accelerating the Adoption of Saturated Buffers Using an Educational Decision-Support Tool

Sponsor: US Dept. of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS)

Start Date: 5/18/21

End Date: 5/01/24

Abstract

The overall goal of this project is to stimulate the adoption of saturated buffers for reducing nitrogen losses from artificially drained agricultural landscapes in the U.S. Midwest. The project involves the development, testing, and application of a decision support tool for saturated buffers that provide key information for design, performance, and cost of saturated buffers at the farm level. The decision support tool will be based on DRAINMOD model that has been developed at North Carolina State University and has been extensively applied to artificially drained agriculture worldwide. The work will primarily conducted at Michigan State University while Dr. Youssef of NCSU will provide the support and expertise as the tool is being developed and tested.

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On-farm Water Capture and Reuse for Supplemental Irrigation: A Promising Practice for Increasing Cotton Production Resilience in the U.S. Southeast

Cotton, Inc. (No pre-award costs/accounts allowed)(1/01/20 - 12/31/23)

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On-farm Water Capture and Reuse for Supplemental Irrigation: A Promising Practice for Increasing Cotton Production Resilience in the U.S. Southeast

Sponsor: Cotton, Inc. (No pre-award costs/accounts allowed)

Start Date: 1/01/20

End Date: 12/31/23

Abstract

This multi-year project seeks to achieve high yielding, climate resilient, environmentally sustainable, and resource efficient cotton production in North Carolina and the U.S. Southeast region. We propose on-farm water capture and reuse for supplemental irrigation as a promising practice for: i) increasing cotton production resilience to frequent and long dry periods during growing season and ii) protecting water quality by reducing the export of nutrients and sediment from cropland to downstream surface water bodies. This proposal will focus only on water conservation and cotton fiber yield benefits of on-farm water capture and reuse. We having been seeking funds from other sources to assess other potential benefits of the practice including water quality and flood mitigation benefits. The specific objectives of the project are: 1. Quantifying, with field experiments and computer modeling, cotton yield gains of on-farm water capture and reuse for supplemental irrigation as affected by reservoir size, growing season precipitation, and soil type. 2. Developing recommendations for the design and management of on-farm water capture systems to optimize performance and minimize tradeoffs. For the first project period ending on December 31, 2020, the primary objective is the procurement and installation of necessary instrumentation at the experimental site (the Peanut Belt Research Station, Bertie County, NC) where the proposed research will be carried out.

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Hydrologic analysis to assess the effects of operational forestry herbicide applications

National Council for Air & Stream Improvement, Inc.(2/13/19 - 12/31/23)

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Hydrologic analysis to assess the effects of operational forestry herbicide applications

Sponsor: National Council for Air & Stream Improvement, Inc.

Start Date: 2/13/19

End Date: 12/31/23

Abstract

The primary objective of this project is to support data collection to assess effects of operational forestry herbicide applications on aquatic plants and biota. The analyses in this Scope of Work will be based on stream discharge and weather data collected from instrumented watersheds established in Mississippi and Alabama preceding and following operational forestry herbicide applications on selected sites. Data processing and analyses will include quality control, flow calculations, and comparison of hydrology data to those previously collected at the watershed sites. After the dataset is finalized we will work with scientists at NCASI and Weyerhaeuser to calculate loading rates of herbicide components.

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Developing and Testing Wetland Hydrology Performance Criteria for Restoration Sites

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)(10/01/18 - 9/30/23)

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Developing and Testing Wetland Hydrology Performance Criteria for Restoration Sites

Sponsor: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Start Date: 10/01/18

End Date: 9/30/23

Abstract

Water table levels (saturation periods) in wetlands vary across the wetland and change with soil type and drainage class. These saturation periods have not been determined for most soils, and consequently, hydrologic performance requirements for restored wetlands haven’t been well defined. The main objective of this project is to define saturation periods as a percentage of the growing season that restored wetlands should meet for the specific soils used for restoration. Saturation periods of natural wetlands will be determined for selected soil series ranging from very poorly drained organic soils to moderately well drained mineral soils. Data for most soils will come from prior investigations that measured water tables and computed 40 year records of water table data for each soil. Field monitoring of flood plain soils will also be conducted to complete the data base. Saturation periods for restored wetlands will be obtained from the data base of the NC Department of Environmental Quality which has catalogued water table and soils data from 233 restored sites in NC. Sites having soils similar to the natural sites will be identified, visited to determine soil type at each well location, and to assess wetland condition. Saturation periods will be compared between the restored and natural sites for a given soil type (series and drainage class). Saturation periods for wetlands successfully restored will be proposed for very poorly drained, poorly drained, somewhat poorly drained and moderately well drained classes. These results will allow saturation periods to be estimated for all soils across the region that restoration sites should meet to be successful.

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Novel Agricultural Water Management Systems for Increasing the Production and Consistency of Corn Yields in North Carolina

Corn Growers Association of NC, Inc.(2/01/18 - 1/31/21)

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Novel Agricultural Water Management Systems for Increasing the Production and Consistency of Corn Yields in North Carolina

Sponsor: Corn Growers Association of NC, Inc.

Start Date: 2/01/18

End Date: 1/31/21

Abstract

The primary goal of this research and education project is to evaluate and demonstrate an economical system to automatically manage agricultural drainage and subirrigation in order to maximize corn yields, conserve water, and significantly minimize direct user management. Specific objectives are: 1. Developing corn-specific management protocols for the new generation of drainage water management systems. 2. Conducting a DRAINMOD modeling analysis using historic weather data and different soil types to optimize the management protocol for different soils and weather conditions. 3. Evaluating and demonstrating the management protocol on research fields equipped with the recently developed “SMART” water control structure, which drains and subirrigates the field based on real time feedback from sensors measuring the water table level in the field. 4. Documenting the corn yield and water conservation benefits of the practice. 5. Demonstrating the use of the new generation of water control structures to growers

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Technical Support for Watershed Research

National Council for Air & Stream Improvement, Inc.(12/15/17 - 3/31/18)

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Technical Support for Watershed Research

Sponsor: National Council for Air & Stream Improvement, Inc.

Start Date: 12/15/17

End Date: 3/31/18

Abstract

The primary objective of this project is to evaluate the effects of silviculture on water quality and quantity using existing data collected in plot-scale and watershed-scale experimental studies with models to facilitate application of experimental results broadly across the region. A second objective is to support data collection to assess effects of operational forestry herbicide applications on aquatic plants and biota. The analyses in this Scope of Work will be based on stream discharge, weather, water table, and water quality data collected from a subset of instrumented watersheds established in North Carolina, Mississippi, and Alabama.

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Town of Windsor Flood Reduction Feasibility Study

Bertie County(6/01/17 - 6/30/18)

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Town of Windsor Flood Reduction Feasibility Study

Sponsor: Bertie County

Start Date: 6/01/17

End Date: 6/30/18

Abstract

The Town of Windsor has recently experienced severe flooding from several large hurricane and tropical storm events that has resulted in substantial structural flooding and associated damage. The town is actively mitigating the damage through buyout and retrofitting programs. However, due to the historic significance of the town combined with serving as the economic center of Bertie County, there is also a strong desire to protect the future of the town by reducing the frequency and magnitude of future flood events. This proposal outlines a flood reduction feasibility study that is intended to identify appropriate engineering options and best management practices targeted at reducing runoff and surface flow reaching the Cashie River from the watershed and its tributaries and for reducing the direct flow of water into the town during river flooding events. The study will help Windsor and Bertie County to prioritize appropriate approaches for reducing flooding.

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Evaluating Irrigation Strategies for Water-Efficient Corn Production in Eastern North Carolina

Corn Growers Association of NC, Inc.(2/01/17 - 1/31/19)

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Evaluating Irrigation Strategies for Water-Efficient Corn Production in Eastern North Carolina

Sponsor: Corn Growers Association of NC, Inc.

Start Date: 2/01/17

End Date: 1/31/19

Abstract

We will demonstrate, evaluate, and further develop irrigation water management strategies for corn production in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina. The aim of these irrigation strategies is to increase the resiliency of corn production in North Carolina to the variability in precipitation during the crop growing season. These strategies are designed to increase crop yields and profits, while conserving water and energy. Specific objectives are to: 1. Evaluate two irrigation regimes: 1) irrigation applied to meet crop evapotranspiration needs throughout the growing season (no difficit water stress); 2) irrigation applied to meet evapotranspiration needs only during growth stages that are most sensitive to deficit soil water conditions. These two irrigation regimes will be compared to a baseline non-irrigated treatment. 2. Evaluate a “smart” irrigation technology to apply irrigation water based on soil water conditions in the root zone, near term precipitation forecast, and crop growth stage. The smart irrigation treatment will be compared to a time-based irrigated treatment and a non-irrigated treatment. 3. Investigate the effects of different irrigation management strategies on crop physiology and yield. 4. Calibrate, validate, and then apply predictive models to evaluate the effect of different irrigation strategies on crop yield for soils and weather conditions common to eastern North Carolina. 5. Conduct two on-site visits for producers and other stakeholders to discuss results of the study. 6. Implement hourly hyperspectral imaging at two critical times during the corn’s maturation and/or at critical irrigation events. These will be used to study the potential for hyperspectral imagery to aid management strategies. 7. Compile the findings of the study into an irrigation management guide.

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