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Reducing Atrazine Losses
Author(s) -
Harman Wyatte L.,
Wang E.,
Williams J. R.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq2004.7000
Subject(s) - atrazine , surface runoff , environmental science , sorghum , water quality , agronomy , tillage , wetland , agriculture , environmental engineering , pesticide , biology , ecology
Water quality is being affected by herbicides, some allegedly harmful to human health. Under scrutiny is atrazine (1‐chloro‐3‐ethylamino‐5‐isopropylamino‐2,4,6‐triazine), a commonly used herbicide in corn ( Zea mays L.) and sorghum [ Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] production. Concentrations of soluble and adsorbed atrazine losses sometimes exceed the safe drinking water standard of 3 μg L −1 established by the USEPA. This study assesses the protective implications of runoff control structures and alternative crop farming practices to minimize atrazine losses. Using a computerized simulation model, APEX, the following four practices were the most effective with respect to the average atrazine loss as a percent of the amount applied: (i) constructing sediment ponds, 0.09%; (ii) establishing grass filter strips, 0.14%; (iii) banding a 25% rate of atrazine, 0.40%; and (iv) constructing wetlands, 0.45%. Other atrazine runoff management options, including adoption of alternative tillage practices such as conservation and no‐till as well as splitting applications between fall and spring, were marginally effective.