Reducing insecticide and fungicide loads in runoff from plastic mulch with vegetative-covered furrows.
A common management practice for the production of fresh-market vegetables utilizes polyethylene (plastic) mulch because it increases soil temperature, decreases weed pressure, maintains soil moisture, and minimizes soil contact with the product. However, rain events afford much more erosion and runoff because 50-75% of the field is covered with an impervious surface. A plot study was conducted to compare and to quantify the off-site movement of soil, insecticides, and fungicides associated with runoff from plots planted with Sunbeam tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) using the conventional polyethylene mulch management practice vs an alternative management practice-polyethylene mulch-covered beds with cereal rye (Secale cereale) planted in the furrows between the beds. The use of cereal rye-covered furrows with the conventional polyethylene system decreased runoff volume by more than 40%, soil erosion by more than 80%, and pesticide loads by 48-74%. Results indicate that vegetative furrows are critical to minimizing the negative aspects of this management practice.
Rice
Pamela J
PJ
Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1991 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA.
Harman-Fetcho
Jennifer A
JA
Sadeghi
Ali M
AM
McConnell
Laura L
LL
Coffman
C Benjamin
CB
Teasdale
John R
JR
Abdul-Baki
Aref
A
Starr
James L
JL
McCarty
Gregory W
GW
Herbert
Rachel R
RR
Hapeman
Cathleen J
CJ
D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods*; D005659:Fungicides, Industrial / Q000032:analysis*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000032:analysis*; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000254:growth & development; D010969:Plastics; D020959:Polyethylene; D011891:Rain; D012434:Secale / Q000254:growth & development; D012987:Soil; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D005659:Fungicides, Industrial; D007306:Insecticides; D010969:Plastics; D012987:Soil; D014867:Water; D020959:Polyethylene