ARS | Publication request: IRRIGATION INCORPORATION AND TILLAGE IMPACTS ON RUNOFF, EROSION AND PREEMERGENCE HERBICIDE LOSS

Submitted to: American Chemical Society National Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: May 11, 2007
Publication Date: August 23, 2007
Citation: Potter, T.L., Strickland, T.C., Truman, C.C., Bosch, D.D., Webster, T.M. 2007. Irrigation incorporation and tillage impacts on runoff, erosion and preemergence herbicide loss [abstract]. American Chemical Society National Meeting. Paper ID: 1096162.

Technical Abstract: Post application herbicide incorporation by irrigation has the potential to reduce runoff risks while improving weed control. Although the practice is specified on many product labels, environmental benefits are uncertain. To address questions regarding potential impacts in the Coastal Plain region of Georgia (USA), we conducted a series of rainfall simulations and quantified runoff, sediment loss and loss of two herbicides, metolachlor and pendimethalin, as a function of tillage, strip (ST) versus conventional (CT), with and without post-application herbicide incorporation by irrigation . Irrigation contributed to greater runoff volumes ('2X) and increased erosion but loss of both herbicides was reduced in both tillage systems. The impact was greatest for metolachlor on CT plots where a 2-fold reduction was observed. Generally the study demonstrated that irrigation incorporation can reduce preemergence herbicide runoff losses. Adoption and implementation of the practice throughout the region is recommended.