Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #83807
Title: HERBICIDE LOSSES IN RUNOFF FROM HIGH AND REDUCED-INPUT CROPPED WATERSHEDS

Author
item Shipitalo, Martin
item Edwards, William
item Owens, Lloyd

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Tolerable levels of soil loss can be achieved if conservation tillage is used when corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] are grown in rotation on steep slopes in northern Appalachia. Herbicide concentrations in runoff resulting from this rotation, however, can frequently exceed established Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). Therefore, a reduced-input management practice for corn and soybean production with light disking, cultivation, and half-rate herbicide applications for weed control was implemented to determine if a balance between losses of soil and herbicide could be obtained. In a 6-yr comparison, soil losses from two no-till and two chiseled watersheds were similar to those from three watersheds farmed with reduced-input practices and averaged less than 1000 kg/ha/yr. The risk of yield loss from the reduced-input watersheds was greater than from the chiseled and no-till watersheds due to inability to cultivate in a timely manner because of weather conditions.