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Madramootoo, Chandra

Academic title(s): 

Ph.D., P.Eng. | Distinguished James 91直播 Professor

Irrigation and Drainage Lab

Madramootoo, Chandra
Contact Information
Email address: 
chandra.madramootoo [at] mcgill.ca
Phone: 
514-398-7759
Address: 

Macdonald-Stewart Building, MS1-029a

Research areas: 
Bio-Production Engineering
Biography: 

BSc, MSc and PhD in agricultural engineering at 91直播. Joined the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in 1984, and was named to a James 91直播 Professorship in 2000. Created the Brace Centre for Water Resources Management in 1999, and was its Founding Director. In this role, he garnered funding for large scale, multidisciplinary, national and international water, environmental, and climate change projects. Areas of expertise include water management, irrigation, drainage, agricultural research, international agriculture development, hydrology and water quality of surface and subsurface drained fields, development of innovative technologies to predict crop water requirements, and impacts of water management practices on greenhouse gas emissions. Has supervised over 80 graduate students, authored or co-authored over 200 refereed journal papers, and invited to deliver some 100 presentations at national and international conferences.

Appointed Dean of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in 2005, and over a 10 year period, led a major transformation of the Faculty鈥檚 teaching and research programs. Introduced programs in global food security, food safety, integrated water resources management, entrepreneurship and innovation. Led the academic renewal of the faculty, and over 50% growth in the undergraduate and graduate student population. Teaching and research infrastructure were also upgraded.

Currently accepting graduate students

View available positions

Degree(s): 

B.Sc.(AgrEng)
M.Sc.
Ph.D. (91直播)

Awards, honours, and fellowships: 
  • , 2024
  • Kishida International Award from ASABE, 2024
  • Distinguished James 91直播 Professor (2022-)
  • Fellow, Engineering Institute of Canada
  • Fellow, Canadian Academy of Engineering
  • World Irrigation and Drainage Prize
  • Dean, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and Associate Vice-Principal (Macdonald) (2005-2015)
  • James 91直播 Professor (2015-2022)
  • Inducted in the Overholt International Drainage Hall of Fame
  • DSc (honoris causa) University of Guelph
  • Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
  • Fellow, ASABE
  • Fellow, CSBE
  • Membre, OIQ
Areas of interest: 

With growing water scarcity and concerns about climate change, new technologies are being developed to conserve limited freshwater supplies and increase crop water productivity. Irrigation systems and techniques are being developed, which can apply precise amounts of water, taking spatial field properties, and crop type and growth stage into account. Innovative technologies to predict crop water requirements, and the impacts of various water management practices on greenhouse gas emissions are being investigated. Water table management systems are being designed and field tested to reduce non-point source pollution, and algal blooms and cyanobacterial contamination of rivers and lakes.

Current research: 
  • Agricultural Water Quality
  • Effects of agricultural water management systems on greenhouse gas emissions in Eastern Canada
  • A water quality assessment framework for a safe food system
  • Managing agricultural systems to protect Canada's freshwater
  • Application of variable rate irrigation technology for water efficiency and conservation
  • Soil-plant-water dynamics and water productivity benefits of subsurface drip irrigation
Courses: 

BREE 490. Engineering Design 2.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Bioresource Engineering (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026
View offerings for or in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

The student is expected to develop a professional design project proposal with due considerations to executive summary, synthesis, methodology, milestones, budget, etc.
  • One lecture per week.
  • Prerequisites: CHEE 315 or MECH 346, BREE 415.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.


BREE 495. Engineering Design 3.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Bioresource Engineering (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026
View offerings for or in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

The student is expected to implement, physically or virtually, the project proposed in the Design 1 course. The student is expected to present project outcome, in both written and oral forms and learn to be critical about their own work and those of others.
  • One lecture per week.
  • Prerequisite: BREE 490

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.


FMT4 020. Conservation of Soil and Water (152-VSW-MC).

Credits: 2
Offered by: Farm Mgmt & Technology Program (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
Terms offered: Fall 2025
View offerings for in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

Students will apply principles of soil and water conservation. The nature of the hydrologic cycle and the needs for soil and water conservation in eastern Canada will be examined. Surface drainage systems (grassed waterways, surface inlets) and water table management systems (subsurface drainage, control structures, and sub-irrigation) will be covered. The causes of soil degradation through compaction, wind erosion, water erosion, soil acidification, organic matter losses and the appropriate corrective action will be examined. The course uses engineering plans, provincial recommendations, and real situations.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Link(s): 
Laboratory: 
Currently accepting graduate students
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