U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Soil and Water Management Research: St. Paul, MN
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                                    Software
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    CareersSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Midwest Area St. Paul, Minnesota Soil and Water Management Research Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            Rice, Pamelaitem
                                            Harman Fetcho, Jenniferitem
                                            Sadeghi, Aliitem
                                            McConnell, Lauraitem
                                            Coffman, Charlesitem
                                            Teasdale, Johnitem
                                            Abdul Baki, Arefitem
                                            Starr, Jamesitem
                                            McCarty, Gregoryitem
                                            Herbert, Rachelitem
                                            Hapeman, Cathleen
  Submitted to: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 10/31/2006
                                    Publication  Date: 2/21/2007
                                    Citation: Rice, P.J., Harman Fetcho, J.A., Sadeghi, A.M., Mcconnell, L.L., Coffman, C.B., Teasdale, J.R., Abdul Baki, A.A., Starr, J.L., Mccarty, G.W., Herbert, R., Hapeman, C.J. 2007. Reducing Insecticide and Fungicide Loads in Runoff from Plastic Mulch with Vegetative-Covered Furrows. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 55:1377-1384.Interpretive Summary: Polyethylene mulch is used in organic and traditional vegetable production and is gaining popularity because it decreases some pesticide use and warms the soil allowing for earlier crop planting. However its use also increases runoff volume and soil erosion during rain events because 50 to 75% of the field is covered with an impervious surface. Previous studies have shown that runoff from polyethylene mulch can contain soil and pesticide concentrations that would impact adversly non-target aquatic organisms in adjacent surface waters. A field study was conducted to quantify off-site movement of soil and pesticides with runoff from tomato plots managed with the conventional polyethylene-mulch management practice and an alternative management practice. The addition of vegetative furrows to the conventional polyethylene system decreased runoff volume by more than 40%, soil erosion by more than 80%, and pesticide loads by 48 to 74%. The maintained harvest yields and reduced runoff volume, soil loss, and off-site transport of pesticides measured in runoff from the alternative management practice demonstrates the vegetated furrow system is more sustainable and may have a less adverse impact on the environment, while providing growers with an acceptable economic return.
                                Technical Abstract: A common management practice for the production of fresh-market vegetables utilizes polyethylene (plastic) mulch because it increases soil temperature, decreases weed pressure, maintains soil moisture, and minimizes soil contact with the product. However, rain events afford much more erosion and runoff because 50 to 75% of the field is covered with an impervious surface. A plot study was conducted to compare and to quantify the off-site movement of soil, insecticides, and fungicides associated with runoff from plots planted with Sunbeam tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) using the conventional polyethylene-mulch management practice versus an alternative management practice – polyethylene mulch-covered beds with cereal rye (Secale cereale) planted in the furrows between the beds. The use of cereal rye-covered furrows with the conventional polyethylene system decreased runoff volume by more than 40%, soil erosion by more than 80%, and pesticide loads by 48 – 74%. Results indicate that vegetative furrows are critical to minimizing the negative aspects of this management practice.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov