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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #68134

Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN MODERN FARMING PRACTICES

Author
item Hatfield, Jerry

Submitted to: International Weed Control Congress Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/20/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Environmental sustainability implies a combination of farming and watershed practices that reduces the off-site and on-site impacts due to herbicide and nutrients. Drinking water standards for herbicide and nitrate-N levels provide reference points for the evaluation of cropping systems. Agricultural systems are complex and embody the interactions among the soil and climate resource, crop selection, tillage practice, weed pressure, nutrient requirements, and animal resources. Environmental sustainability is linked to water management and changes in water movement related to changing tillage practices and crop rotations. Surface runoff of herbicides and leaching of nitrate-N are the two primary pathways of off-site movement. Reduction in tillage intensity decreases the chance of surface runoff; however, it may induce changes in weed populations necessitating a change in weed management strategies. Environmental sustainability can be enhanced by changes in tillage practices and water management.