IMPACT OF PESTICIDES ON SHALLOW GROUNDWATER QUALITY

ABSTRACT A three-year field study was initiated in 1986 to determine the impact of tillage practice, mode of pesticide application, and pesticide formulation on chemical transport The 1.28-ha field site was divided into four plots, two each devoted to no-till and conventional tillage management. Pesticide transport was evaluated by monitoring the rate of change in concentrations of pesticides in a shallow perched water table, located approximately 1 m below the soil surface. Pesticides monitored included atrazine, alachlor, cyanazine and carbofiiran. All three herbicides were applied as a single broadcast spray: granular insecticide carbofiiran was band-injected at planting.