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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #173402
Title: EFFECTS OF PROPANIL, DIURON AND ATRAZINE DRIFT ON SUNSHINE BASS POND PLANKTON AND WATER QUALITY

Author
item PERSCHBAUCHER, PETER - UAPB
item Ludwig, Gerald
item EDZIGIE, REGINA - UAPB

Submitted to: University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Aquaculture Field Day
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/6/2004
Publication Date: 10/7/2004
Citation: Perschbaucher, P., Ludwig, G.M., Edzigie, R. Effects of propanil, diuron and atrazine drift on sunshine bass pond plankton and water quality. University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Aquaculture Field Day. 2004. [abstract]p.50.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Sunshine bass ponds, and most aquaculture ponds, are often adjacent to fields of row crops. Herbicide drift can impact plankton and water quality. Propanil, diuron, and atrazine are aerially applied herbicides used for rice, cotton, and corn respectively. These hericides were applied to triplicated tanks filled with catfish or fingerling sunshine bass culture pond water at 1% 10% and 100% of field rates to simulate drift and direct application. Water quality variables and plankton populations were evaluated pre application and daily until the systems recovered. No impacts were noted for diuron applied in April, when used as a burndown for cotton. Atrazine applied in May, as a postemergent for corn, did not impact oxygen levels, but lowered rotifer, copepod nauplii and adult copepods populations by up to 44, 70, and 25% respectively, after 48-72 hours. Propanil applied in June, for early postemergent rice, at high drift rates reduced oxygen production by 34% and zooplankton numbers in half. Recovery was noted by 48h for morning dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll a was stimulated by 72 h. Major impact, as for atrazine, was on zooplankton and potentially on sunshine bass fry/fingerling pond production. Lower chlorophyll a levels in sunshine bass ponds compared to channel catfish ponds is suggested as responsible for differing effects of the three herbicides between the pond types.