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Title:   Author  item
                                            Rice, Pamelaitem
                                            McConnell, Lauraitem
                                            Heighton Davies, Lynneitem
                                            ISENSEE, ALLAN - RETIRED USDA SYitem
                                            Sadeghi, Aliitem
                                            HERTZER, PAUL - UNIV MDitem
                                            BAKER, JOEL - UNIV MDitem
                                            Hapeman, Cathleen
  Submitted to: SETAC Conference
                                    Publication Type: Abstract Only
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 11/13/2000
                                    Publication  Date: N/A
                                    Citation: N/AInterpretive Summary:
                                Technical Abstract: Runoff from vegetable production on the Chesapeake Bay Delmarva peninsula has been implicated in the failure of shellfish farms. Current vegetable production systems utilize polyethylene mulch and require multiple applications of pesticides and fertilizers. During rain events, runoff from vegetable production is enhanced because 50-75% of the field is covered  with an impervious surface. Thus, potential harmful effects on organisms in nearby streams and rivers from off-site losses of agrochemicals is substantially increased. An economically-viable sustainable management strategy for fresh-market tomato production that does not utilize polyethylene has been developed. However, resistance from growers to move away from polyethylene may slow its implementation. The objective of our research was to quantify and compare the environmental impact of conventional polyethylene mulch and hairy vetch mulch systems. In studies  using side-by-side instrumented field plots, losses of 2 to 10 times more water and twice as much sediment were observed from plots using polyethylene mulch. Toxicity tests with aquatic organisms have shown greater adverse effects associated with this runoff. These quantitative results showing reduced off-site movement of soil and agrochemicals in the hairy vetch system provide additional support for the implementation of this management strategy. Benefits to the grower include reduced soil erosion and greater concentrations of agrochemicals remaining in the applied locations were they will provide the most effective pest control. The reduced off-site movement of agrochemicals will also benefit the environment by reducing the load of harmful substances to surrounding sensitive ecosystems.


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