OFF-SITE MOVEMENT OF PESTICIDES AND SOIL IN RUNOFF FROM VEGETABLE PRODUCTION: COMPARING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF VEGETABLE PRODUCTION WITHPOLYETHYLENE MULCH AND HAIRY VETCH MULCH.

Authors: Rice, Pamela; McConnell, Laura; Heighton Davies, Lynne; ISENSEE, ALLAN - RETIRED USDA SY; Sadeghi, Ali; Abdul Baki, Aref; HERTZER, PAUL - UNIV MD; BAKER, JOEL - UNIV MD; Hapeman, Cathleen

Submitted to: Proceedings of Northeastern Weed Science Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Current vegetable production systems utilize polyethylene mulch and require multiple applications of pesticides and fertilizers. During rain events, runoff from vegetable production is enhanced because 50 to 75% of the field is covered with an impervious surface. Thus, the potential harmful effects on organisms in nearby streams and rivers from off-site losses of agrochemicals are substantially increased. The objective of our research was to compare the environmental impact of polyethylene and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) mulch systems by quantifying the off-site movement of pesticides and soil in runoff. Vegetable plots with polyethylene-covered beds and bare soil rows produced larger quantities of runoff containing greater sediment and pesticide loads, which proved to be more toxic to aquatic organisms.