Vegetative Buffer Soils Reduce Insecticide Transport

Neonicotinoids are a class of insecticides widely used in agriculture to protect crops from a broad spectrum of pests. While neonicotinoids, such as imidacloprid, are valued for their low mammalian toxicity, versatility of application, and systemic nature, they are very water soluble and can persist in the environment. Vegetative buffers are a common conservation practice for reducing surface runoff, soil loss, and agrochemical transport, but their ability to reduce neonicotinoid migration to surface waters has not been studied.