Many Georgian's living in rural areas have their own drilled or bored well to supply their drinking water. But for the past few years, more people in rural areas are expressing concern about the safety of their drinking water. David Kissel, a Scientist with the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences says it's important that all wells be tested periodically. "For the case of bacteria, it can cause symptoms that are similar to a flu or virus, and in fact when people do become ill sometimes it may be because of their water rather than them having the flu." David Kissel with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Local county extension service offices have water sample kits you can use to test the water from your well. Once a sample is obtained, it can be mailed to the University of Georgia's water testing lab for analysis. If bacteria contamination is a concern, take a water sample to your local health department for bacterial testing. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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The research will take place in Southwest Georgia at the C. M. Stripling Irrigation Research Park. Concerns about new water-related legislation to change the way water is used in Georgia prompted the research. Kerry Harrison, an Engineer with the University of Georgia Extension Service says future legislation will directly affect agriculture, which uses a lot of water in many areas of the state. "And a lot of the controversy on agricultural water use deals with, how much water does agriculture use, how much affect does the use of this water have on water tables in the area, and this particular research park is being set up in mind to try to develop some answers to these questions because these answers don't come about overnight." Kerry Harrison with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The research involves row crops including cotton, peanuts, and corn, as well as vegetables. Scientists will use different types of irrigation systems, such as pivot, linear, and drip. All irrigation areas will be monitored by a centralized computer, which sends the data back to the main building for analysis. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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Stink bugs attack soybeans from blooming stage to harvest, and can cause more than two million dollars in losses annually. Chemical control is limited to a few insecticides, and these controls are expensive, and effective for a short period of time. But in 2001 scientists with the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences began a study to develop soybean varieties resistant to stink bug feeding. Early results from testing found several varieties that suffered less damage from stink bugs. "Real good first season and we did find several varieties, eight or ten of them matter of fact that look real promising, so that does get you encouraged when you get a good find like that out in the research plots, so we do want to follow up on that in the 2002 season." That was Bob McPherson with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The research will help the environment, since soybean varieties that have resistance to stinkbugs will require less chemicals. Farmers receive an added benefit, with lower pesticide bills. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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The study, which began in 1993, took place in Southern California, and involved more than 3,000 children. Results from the study indicate that children are more vulnerable to the effects of smog than adults. Jorge Atiles, a Housing Specialist with the University of Georgia Extension Service says one important factor is children spend more time outdoors, and are more directly exposed to smog. "And basically what the study did was to relate smog levels with decreased lung capacity, meaning people could not breath easily when they were in the presence of smog. And children are more exposed to that when they're playing outside, they spend a lot of time outside playing and exposed to the smog." Jorge Atiles with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, who adds the study has shown that ozone can cause asthma as well. These findings point to a greater chance of respiratory illness reaching into adulthood, and indicate that effects from smog are not likely to be reversed as children age through adolescence. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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Landowners want their young pine seedlings to get off to a good start, so they can grow up to tall pines as soon as possible. But when young trees a year old or less have to fight weeds and grasses for nutrients and water, growing is tough. David Dickens, a Forester with the University of Georgia Extension Service says this is especially true with water this year, since winter rains have been scarce. "Minimizing competing vegetation; grasses and broadleaf weeds, and hardwoods to allow as much sunlight, water, and nutrients to get to the pines is extremely important especially on the soil moisture end as dry as these growing seasons have been the last four years." David Dickens with the Warnell School of Forest Resources, who adds several herbicides are on the market that keep weeds knocked back. The university forester recommends spraying a herbicide within the first year, to help pine seedlings rise up without being crowded by weeds and grasses. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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