Foliar and soil deposition of pesticide sprays in peanuts and their washoff and runoff under simulated worst-case rainfall conditions

There are few studies that relate the timing and amounts of pesticide washoff from plant foliage during rainfall to runoff losses at the edge of the field. We hypothesized that foliar deposits, if washed onto the soil slowly during rainfall, may then undergo less leaching during the period of infiltration that occurs prior to soil saturation and runoff, thus exhibiting larger runoff losses than pesticides on/in the soil at the beginning of rain. We measured the runoff of ethalfluralin, metolachlor, chlorothalonil, and rhodamine WT dye using simulated rainfall on 450 m2 mesoplots planted in peanut. Ethalfluralin was applied preplant incorporated, and metolachlor was applied preemergence on bare soil. Chlorothalonil and rhodamine WT were applied to the peanut canopy at maturity. Rainfall was simulated 24 h after each chemical application (in May and July, 1998, and May and August, 1999) using raindrop sprinklers, applying 5.5 +/- 0.5 cm over a 2 h period to create reasonable worst-case conditions; between 3 and 9 mm of runoff was generated. Volume-weighted average concentrations of chemicals in runoff were 7, 104, 163, and 179 ug L(-1) for ethalfluralin, metolachlor, chlorothalonil, and rhodamine WT, respectively. The total amounts of chemicals lost in the runoff events were 0.04 +/- 0.01, 0.2 +/- 0.1, 0.6 +/- 0.5, and 0.2 +/- 0.1, as percents of amounts applied, respectively. Rhodamine WT formed a vivid red solution on wetting and provided visual clues to the dynamics of chemical washoff/runoff. The washoff from rain-exposed peanut foliage appeared to be complete within a few minutes of the beginning of rainfall, and disappearance of dye from rain-exposed soil surface occurred within the first 10 min of rainfall. However, dye was present in runoff water at near-constant concentrations throughout the 2 h runoff event, indicating that near-constant amounts of chemical remained in the soil extraction zone. These results confirm earlier studies showing that soil incorporation at application significantly reduces runoff losses and that a majority of foliar residues can be washable if rainfall occurs within a few days after application. Runoff losses of foliar-applied pesticides were small relative to washoff amounts but were sensitive to runoff timing relative to washoff.     

太湖地区稻麦轮作下氮素径流和淋洗损失

Although nitrogen （N） loss through runoff and leaching from croplands is suspected to contribute to the deterioration of surrounding water systems, there is no conclusive evidence for paddy soils to prove this hypothesis. In this study, field plot experiments were conducted to investigate N losses through runoff and leaching for two consecutive years with 3 N fertilization rates in rice （Oryza sativa L.）-wheat （Triticum aestivum L.） rotations in the Taihu Lake region, China. A water collection system was designed to collect runoff and leachates for both the rice and wheat seasons. Results showed that dissolved N （DN）, rather than particulate N （PN）, was the main form of N loss by runoff. The NO3^--N concentration in runoff was between 0.1 and 43.7 mg L^-1, whereas the NH4^＋-N concentration ranged from below detection limit to 8.5 mg L^-1. Total N （TN） loads by runoff were 1.0-17.9 and 5.2-38.6 kg ha^-1 during rice and wheat seasons, respectively, and the main loss occurred at the early growing stage of the crops. Nitrogen concentrations in leachates during the rice seasons were below 1.0 mg L^-1 and independent of the N application rate, whereas those during the wheat season increased to 8.2 mg L^-1 and were affected by the fertilizer rate. Annual losses of TN through runoff and leaching were 13.7-48.1 kg ha^-1 from the rice-wheat cropping system, accounting for 5.6%-8.3% of the total applied N. It was concluded that reduction in the N fertilization rate, especially when the crop was small in biomass, could lower the N pollution potential for water systems.     

施肥深度和用量对华南果园土壤氮磷流失的影响

Fertilizers are heavily applied in orchards of the hilly and mountainous topography of South China and may increase nutrient loadings to receiving waters. A simple runoff collecting system was used to measure the effects of different fertilization treatments on total N and P concentrations of surface runoff in a Chinese chestnut （Castanea mollissima Blume） orchard in Dongyuan County, Guangdong Province, China. In such orchards, fertilizer was typically applied in two short furrows or pits on either side of each tree. Treatments included three application depths （surface, 10 cm and 20 cm）, and three application rates （low, median and high）. Results showed that 90.5% of the runoff water samples had a total N concentration higher than 0.35 mg·L^-1 and 54.2% had a total P concentration higher than 0.1 mg·L^-1. Fertilizer application at all depths and at all but the lowest rate significantly increased total N and P concentrations in runoff water. Fertilization with chemical compound fertilizer at a soil depth of 20 cm produced significantly lower （P 〈 0.05） total N concentration in runoff than both surface and 10-cm depth fertilization, and significantly lower （P 〈 0.05） total P concentration in runoff than surface fertilization. Total N and P concentrations in runoff significantly increased with the application rate of organic fertilizers. With the exception of total P concentrations, which were not significantly different between the control and fertilization at a rate of 119 kg P ha-1 in organic form, all the other fertilization treatments produced significantly higher total N and total P concentrations in runoff than the control. A fertilization depth ≥ 20 cm and an application rate ≤ 72 kg N ha-1 or 119 kg P ha^-1 for compound organic fertilizer was suggested to substantially reduce N and P runoff losses from hillslope orchards and to protect receiving waters in South China.     

Hydrological pathways of metolachlor export from an agricultural watershed

Hydrological pathways of metolachlor [2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl) acetamide] transport from a 5.5 ha^?1 corn field in southern Ontario were examined. Metolachlor was applied as an early post-emergence surface broadcast treatment at a rate of 334.1 mg active ingredient m^?2. Persistence in soils decreased exponentially following application, with slower dissipation in footslope areas. Metolachlor concentrations in runoff from experimental plots also decreased exponentially with time, and were strongly associated with herbicide levels in surrounding soils. Differences between concentrations and yields in saturation overland flow and Horton overland flow during the monitoring period were controlled by near-stream water table conditions. Total herbicide losses in runoff from the plots were in the order of 1% of applied a.i. Metolachlor was rapidly leached to depths of 1 m, such that peak concentrations and instantaneous metolachlor loads in tile drainage were observed within 14 days following application. Peak concentration in streamflow (125 µg L-1) occurred during the first major runoff event 13 days following application; peak concentrations in succeeding events followed an exponential decay during the growing season. Export of metolachlor from the field was in the order of 1% of applied a.i., with overland flow serving as the dominant transport mechanism from site of application. Near-stream hydrologic conditions may determine whether field exports of herbicide enter receiving water courses.     

Tillage, cover-crop residue management, and irrigation incorporation impact on fomesafen runoff

Intensive glyphosate use has contributed to the evolution and occurrence of glyphosate-resistant weeds that threaten production of many crops. Sustained use of this highly valued herbicide requires rotation and/or substitution of herbicides with different modes of action. Cotton growers have shown considerable interest in the protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor, fomesafen. Following registration for cotton in 2008, use has increased rapidly. Environmental fate data in major use areas are needed to appropriately evaluate risks. Field-based rainfall simulation was used to evaluate fomesafen runoff potential with and without irrigation incorporation in a conventional tillage system (CT) and when conservation tillage (CsT) was practiced with and without cover crop residue rolling. Without irrigation incorporation, relatively high runoff, about 5% of applied, was measured from the CT system, indicating that this compound may present a runoff risk. Runoff was reduced by >50% when the herbicide was irrigation incorporated after application or when used with a CsT system. Data indicate that these practices should be implemented whenever possible to reduce fomesafen runoff risk. Results also raised concerns about leaching and potential groundwater contamination and crop injury due to rapid washoff from cover crop residues in CsT systems. Further work is needed to address these concerns.     

湖南双季稻田不同氮磷施用量的径流损失

研究双季稻田不同施肥量处理的氮磷降雨径流损失规律,对于指导双季稻合理施肥、保护水环境具有重要的现实意义。本研究采用田间试验结合径流小区监测方法,对湖南双季稻田不同氮、磷施用量的径流损失进行了研究。结果表明,单次径流事件中径流水的氮、磷含量随施肥量的增加而增大;基肥和追肥后10d内发生的3次径流事件中径流水的氮磷含量较高,其中总氮含量最高达10.880mg.L-1,总磷含量最高为0.202mg.L-1;铵态氮和硝态氮是稻田总氮径流损失的主要形态,水稻生长前期以铵态氮为主,后期则以硝态氮为主;可溶性磷占总磷比例为11.0%~94.0%;整个双季稻期间不同施肥量处理的总氮流失量为3.710~7.290kg.hm-2,流失系数为1.870%~3.771%,总磷流失量为0.200~0.320kg.hm-2,流失系数为0.327%~0.966%;氮、磷流失量与其施用量存在极显著的线性正相关,相关系数分别为0.978和0.997。氮、磷流失系数随氮、磷施用量增加而下降。适当减少双季稻田氮磷施用量能有效控制稻田的氮磷径流损失量,减小对地表水质的威胁。     

Impact of rainfall and tillage systems on off‐site herbicide movement

Abstract

Ground cover associated with conservation‐ and no‐till cropping systems can alter runoff and herbicide loss from the soil surface. This study was conducted in 1987 and 1988 to evaluate runoff losses of soil‐applied alachlor and imazaquin in five different soybean cropping systems. Cropping systems used were: 1) conventionally tilled monocrop soybean planted in May; 2) conventionally tilled monocrop soybean planted in June; 3) conventionally tilled doublecrop soybean with incorporated wheat stubble; 4) no‐till doublecrop soybean with burned wheat stubble; and 5) no‐till doublecrop soybean planted into standing wheat stubble. Runoff was lower in 1988 due to a lack of precipitation and dry soil conditions. Herbicide loss in both years was greatest in doublecrop soybean with incorporated wheat stubble, which corresponded to higher runoff. Lower herbicide loss in June‐planted monocrop soybean was attributed to a rougher seedbed that retarded runoff. May‐planted monocrop soybean also lost very little herbicide in 1987, although this treatment had the highest runoff. Lower concentrations of alachlor and imazaquin in runoff from this treatment may be attributed to degradation or soil sorption of herbicides between planting and the first runoff event 23 days later. Highest runoff losses of alachlor and imazaquin, as compared to their initial concentration, were approximately 10% in 1987, and less than 0.5% in 1988. Nomenclature: alachlor, 2‐chloro‐N‐(2, 6‐diethylphenyl) N‐(methoxymethyl) acetamide; imazaquin, 2‐[4, 5‐dihydro‐4‐methyl‐4‐(l‐methyl‐ethyl)‐5‐oxo‐1H‐imadazol‐2‐yl]‐3‐quinolinecarboxylic acid; soybean [Glycine max (L.)] Merr.; wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).     

氮施用水平和方式对高粱作物产量和质量的影响

A field study was conducted for two years at the Arid Zone Research Institute, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan, to determine the optimum level of nitrogen and efficient application method in the production of sorghum （Sorghum bicolor L.）. Using four levels of nitrogen, i.e., 0, 60, 90, and 120 kg ha^-1, and two different application methods （soil application and foliar spray）, the experiment was laid out in a split-plot design, where the main plots were used to determine the effective method of application and the subplots were used to detect the influence of N levels on the grain yield. The average data obtained after two years of study indicated an increase in the grain yields with an increase in N levels irrespective of the method used of N application. The grain yield increased from 2.92 to 5.61 t ha^-1 in the plots that were treated with 90 kg N ha^-1 compared with the control plots. Quadratic regression analysis showed that the increase in the yield was higher at the lower levels of N compared with the succeeding higher levels. The soil application method, producing an average grain yield of 4.79 t ha^-1, was found to be superior to the foliar spray method with an average grain yield of 4.56 t ha^-1. The protein content of the grain showed a linear increase with N application, attaining the maximum at 120 kg N ha^-1 in both the methods of N application. In addition, compared with the method of soil application, higher crude protein contents were observed using the method of foliar spray at all N levels.     

The development, calibration and field testing of a soil loss and a runoff model derived from a small-scale physical simulation of the erosion environment on arable land in Zimbabwe

Soil loss and runoff prediction models were developed for a clay soil from a five-factor small-scale physical simulation of the field environment by following a central composite rota table experimental design. The uncalibrated models efficiently ranked observed annual soil losses and runoff over a 4–year period between nine field treatments consisting of two bare fallows, two weed fallows and five plots cropped to soyabeans. When calibrated against the field data, the soil loss model predicted the 4–year mean losses from cropped and bare fallow treatments to within 6% for two of the plots, to within 12% for five of the plots and to within 14% for all seven treatments. Over the same period, the runoff model predicted mean annual runoff for the cropped and bare fallow treatments to within 4% for four of the plots and to within 16% for all seven treatments. Percentage vegetal cover proved to be an adequate parameter for describing the role of the soyabean crop in runoff and soil loss processes for a wide range of planting densities of the crop. However, it did not prove to be an efficient index for weed fallows and it was apparent that factors other than simple above-ground cover became important soon after germination.     

Atrazine and metolachlor in surface runoff under typical rainfall conditions in southern Louisiana

Atrazine and metolachlor are commonly detected in surface water bodies in southern Louisiana. These herbicides are frequently applied in combination to corn, and atrazine to sugarcane, in this region. A study was conducted on the runoff of atrazine and metolachlor from 0.21 ha plots planted to corn on Commerce silt loam, a Mississippi River alluvial soil. The study, carried out over a three-year period characterized by rainfall close to the 30-year average, provided data on persistence in the surface soil (top 2.5 cm layer) and in the runoff active zone of the soil, as measured by decrease in runoff concentrations with time after application. Regression equations were developed that allow an estimate of the runoff extraction coefficients for each herbicide. Atrazine showed soil half-lives in the range 10.5-17.3 days, and metolachlor exhibited half-lives from 15.8-28.0 days. Concentrations in successive runoff events declined much faster than those in the surface soil layer: Atrazine runoff concentrations decreased over successive runoff events with a half-life from 0.6 to 5.7 days, and metolachlor in runoff was characterized by half-lives of 0.6-6.4 days. That is, half-lives of the two herbicides in the runoff-active zone were one-tenth to one-half as long as the respective half-lives in the surface soil layer. Within years, the half-lives of these herbicides in the runoff active zone varied from two-thirds longer for metolachlor in 1996 to one-fifth longer for atrazine in 1995. The equations relating runoff concentrations of atrazine and metolachlor to soil concentrations contain extraction coefficients of 0.009. Losses in runoff for atrazine were 5.2-10.8% of applied, and for metolachlor they were 3.7-8.0%; atrazine losses in runoff were 20-40% higher than those for metolachlor. These relatively high percent of application losses indicate the importance of practices that reduce runoff of these chemicals from alluvial soils of southern Louisiana.     

Seeding and mulching + seeding effects on post‐fire runoff,soil erosion and species diversity in Galicia (NW Spain)

The effects of two different soil rehabilitation treatments on runoff, infiltration, erosion and species diversity were evaluated in a shrubland area in Galicia (NW Spain) after an experimental fire by means of rainfall simulations. The treatments compared were: seeding, seeding + mulching and control (untreated). Rainfall simulations were conducted 9 months after fire and the application of soil rehabilitation treatments. A rainfall rate of 67 mm h⁻¹ was applied for 30 min to each runoff plot. Seeding significantly increased plant species richness in the treated plots relative to the control plots, although it had no effect on diversity or evenness. Rehabilitation treatments did not significantly increase soil cover or affect runoff and infiltration. Soil losses were low in all cases, varying from 75·6 kg ha⁻¹ in the seeded + mulched plots to 212·1 kg ha⁻¹ in the untreated plots. However, there were no significant differences in sediment yields between treatments. The percentage of bare soil appeared to be a critical variable in controlling runoff and erosion. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tillage and application effects on herbicide leaching and runoff

Herbicides are key products in sustaining agricultural production and, to minimize agro-environmental concerns regarding their use, continued assessment of their behavior under different management practices is required. Leaching and runoff losses of four herbicides applied preplant-incorporated (PPI) were evaluated in two tillage systems over a 3-year period (1989–1991). Scant leaching during the droughty 1991 growing season limited treatment evaluations to 2 years. Herbicides were applied at recommended rates (1.7 and 2.2 kg active ingredient (a.i.) ha⁻¹) to conventional tillage (CT) and mulch tillage (MT) corn (Zea mays L.) fields on Hagerstown silty clay loam (fine, mixed, mesic Typic Hapludalf). Tillage treatments were defined as moldboard plow-disk-harrow (CT) and single-disking (MT). During this study, CT followed 5 years of corn production in a comparable CT system on this site and, similarly, MT followed a 5-year no-tillage (NT) system. Herbicides were applied preemergence (PRE) to CT and NT in the 5-year study and preplant-incorporated (PPI) in this study. Herbicide mobility in subsurface drainage was evaluated from herbicide mass transported to pan lysimeters installed 1.2 m deep. Surface drainage losses of these chemicals were determined from residues in runoff collected with automated sampling and recording equipment.

Leachate volumes were greater from MT than CT in 1989 and 1990 and exceeded all seasonal losses during the previous 5 years under NT management. Comparisons of total seasonal leachate discharged to pan lysimeters within and among studies and herbicide mass leached showed that timing of leachate-inducing precipitation relative to herbicide application was the key factor in regulating herbicide translocation. Herbicide mass transported through the root zone averaged from less than 0.1% to 0.9% of applied rates in CT and from 1.4% to 5.1% in MT.

Leachate-availability of herbicide residues and extent of herbicide longevity in this soil under MT conditions were similar to previous findings under NT management. Despite these behavioral similarities for herbicides among tillages, herbicide mass discharged per unit of percolate was most often lower for MT compared with NT, particularly in early growing seasons of comparable precipitation. Thus, the PPI treatment in MT appeared to reduce leaching of these chemicals compared with PRE application in NT.

Runoff losses of PPI herbicides ranged from 0.35% to 0.77% of applied rates in CT and from 0.13% to 0.28% in MT. Losses of PRE-applied herbicides from NT averaged less than 0.1% of applied rates; maximum yearly losses ranged from 0.06% to 0.18%. Thus, the character of the disked, minimally tilled surface provided a level of impedance to runoff that was greater than achieved with the tilled surface on this 3 to 5% slope, but less than previously obtained with an untilled, mulch-covered surface.     

Effect of Mulching with Vegetative Residues on Soil Water Erosion and Water Balance in an Oxisol Cropped by Cassava in East Cameroon

Soil water erosion is a major agricultural concern in tropical Africa with high precipitation and low soil fertility where Oxisols are generally distributed. A field experiment was conducted in east Cameroon during the rainy season in 2013 to investigate the effects of surface mulching with the residues of Imperata cylindrica on soil losses and surface runoff water generation in a cassava cropland on an Oxisol. Three treatments were established using two small plots for each treatment: bare plot (BA), cassava plot (CA) and cassava with mulch plot (CM). Soil loss and surface runoff water were measured, and water budgets of rainfall, surface runoff and soil moisture within rainfall events were measured in all treatment plots. Runoff coefficients in all treatment plots were suppressed below 8·0% because the large volume of large pores of surface soil of Oxisols contributed to the high drainage capacity over a rainy season even under wet soil moisture conditions. Total soil loss in CM was decreased by 49% compared with that in BA and CA, despite there not being a large difference in runoff water among treatments. These results suggest that surface mulching with the residues of I. cylindrica can substantially suppress soil losses caused by particle detachment by raindrops, while it maintain soil surface with originally high permeability in cassava croplands on Oxisols. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

自然降雨条件下农田地表产流及氮磷流失规律研究

基于淮北平原自然降雨条件下2个连续汛期观测的降雨-径流试验数据,分析不同试验处理下农田地表产流规律和氮磷浓度及其构成,探讨地表径流氮磷浓度和流失量的时间变化过程及其分布差异。结果表明,当地农田地表径流氮磷浓度构成分别以颗粒态氮和可溶性磷为主,而可溶性氮中又以溶解性有机氮为主,且硝态氮是农田地表径流无机氮流失的主要成分。汛初7月不同土地利用方式下农田地表径流量及铵态氮、硝态氮、可溶性氮磷和颗粒态氮磷的浓度及流失量间的差异相对较小,但8月期间的差异却明显增加,低秆高密度作物种植模式下的相应流失量最低。在淮北平原夏季种植黄豆、棉花等矮秆高密度作物,可起到有效减少地表径流氮磷流失量的作用,减缓因农业非点源污染对地表水体富营养化产生的潜在威胁。     

太湖水稻土麦季尿素氨挥发损失

Ammonia volatilization losses from urea applied as a basal fertilizer and a top dressing at tillering stage in a wheat field of Taihu Region, China, were measured with a micrometeorological technique. Urea as fertilizer was surface broadcast at 81 (low N) and 135 (high N) kg N ha-1 as basal at the 3-leaf stage of the wheat seedling on December 2002, and 54 (low N) and 90 (high N) kg N ha-1 as top dressing on February 2003. Ammonia volatilization losses occurred mainly in the first week after applying N fertilizer and mainly during the period after basal fertilizer application, which accounted for more than 80% of the total ammonia volatilization over the entire wheat growth period. Regression analysis showed that ammonia volatilization was affected mainly by pH and NH4^ -N concentration of the surface soil and air temperature.Ammonia volatilization flux was significantly correlated with pH and NH4^ -N concentration of the surface soil and with daily air average temperature and highest temperature. Thus, application of urea N fertilizer to wheat should consider the characteristics of ammonia volatilization in different periods of N application so as to reduce ammonia losses.     

淹水稻田氮的损失

A field microplot experiment was conducted during the tillering stage of paddy rice to investigate nitrogen(N) Iosses from flooded rice fields following fertilizer application. After application of ammonium bicarbonate, most of nitrogen in the flood water was present as NH₄-N and its concentration varied widely with time. Concentrations of both NO₃-N and NO₂-N in the floodwater were low due to the weakened nitrification. Under flooded anaerobic reducing conditions, soil solution concentrations of NO₃-N and NH₄-N were nothigh, ranging from 0.6 mg L^-1 to 4.8 mg L^-1, and decreased with soil depth. However, the ground water wasstill contaminated with NO₃-N and NH₄-N. Rainfall simulation tests showed that the N losses via runoff inrice fields were closely related to the time intervals between fertilizer applications and rainfall events. Whena large rain fell for a short period after fertilizer application, the N losses via runoff could be large, which could have a considerable effect on surface water quality. Both irrigation and N fertilizer application must be controlled and managed with great care to minimize N losses via runoff from agricultural land.     

Transport of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons through a partly urbanized river basin

The PAH-pollutant loads resulting from storm runoff to a receiving stream are associated with high concentrations of suspended sediments. This is explained by the sorption coefficients and isotherms on street dust, suspended solids, bedload and other sorbents. Pollutographs for a stream with storm runoff mainly from storm water overflows from a combined sewered medium sized town show strong ‘first-flush’ phenomena. Rainfall and bedload contribute only to a lesser extent to the overall transport which stems from street dust washoff. High correlation between total PAH load and maximum flow, but no relation between total PAH load and the number of days since the previous storm, indicates a ‘low washoff case’ under ‘transport limited’ conditions. 3.4-Benzopyrene load was modeled by a pollutant washoff function analoguous to that of the EPA storm water model.     

Soil erosion on Alfisols in Western Nigeria: IV. Nutrient element losses in runoff and eroded sediments

Nutrient element losses in runoff and eroded sediments were monitored during 1972 on different slopes and under different soil and crop management treatments. The experiments were conducted on 25 × 4 m field runoff plots, established on natural slopes of 1, 5, 10 and 15%. The soil and crop management treatments consisted of bare fallow (plowed), maize-maize (plowed and mulched), maize-maize (plowed), maize-cowpeas (no-till), and cowpeas-maize (plowed).Total loss of nutrient elements in runoff and eroded soil materials was significantly affected by slope and by soil and crop management treatments. Total annual nutrient element losses in runoff were 55 kg/ha for bare-fallow, 17 kg/ha for maize-maize (plowed), 12 kg/ha for cowpeas-maize (plowed), 2.3 kg/ha for maize-maize (plowed and mulched) and 4.3 kg/ha for maize-cowpeas (no-till). The concentration of nitrate in seepage water was two or three times higher than in surface water. Nutrient losses in eroded soil materials from the mulched and no-till treatments were negligible. From the plowed treatments, greatest losses were of organic matter and total nitrogen. The enrichment ratios were 2.4 times for organic carbon, 1.6 times for N, and 5.8 times for available phosphorus.     

百喜草覆盖和敷盖对中国南方红壤坡地径流和产沙的影响

Rainfall,runoff (surface runoff,interflow and groundwater runoff) and soil loss from 5 m × 15 m plots were recorded for 5 years (2001-2005) in an experiment with three treatments (cover,mulch and bare ground) on sloping red soil in southern China.Surface runoff and erosion from the Bahia grass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) cover plot (A) and mulch plot (B) during the 5 years were low,despite the occurrence of potentially erosive rains.In contrast,the bare plot (C) had both the highest surface runoff coefficient and the highest sediment yield.There were significant differences in interflow and surface runoff and no significant difference in groundwater runoff among plots.The runoff coefficients and duration of interflow and groundwater runoff were in the order plot B > plot A > plot C.Effects of Bahia grass cover were excellent,indicating that the use of Bahia grass cover can be a simple and feasible practice for soil and water conservation on sloping red soil in the region.     

Multiresidue analysis of cotton defoliant, herbicide, and insecticide residues in water by solid-phase extraction and GC-NPD, GC-MS, and HPLC-diode array detection

A multiresidue procedure was developed for analysis of cotton pesticide and harvest-aid chemicals in water using solid-phase extraction and analysis by GC-NPD, GC-MS, and HPLC-DAD. Target compounds included the defoliants tribufos, dimethipin, thidiazuron; the herbicide diuron; and the insecticide methyl parathion. Three solid-phase extraction (SPE) media, octadecylsilyl (ODS), graphitized carbon black (GCB), and a divinylbenzene-N-vinyl pyrollidine copolymer (DVBVP), were evaluated. On GCB and ODS, recoveries varied depending on compound type. Recoveries were quantitative for all compounds on DVBVP, ranging from 87 to 115% in spiked deionized water and surface runoff. The method detection limit was less than 0.1 microg L(-)(1). SPE with DVBVP was applied to post-defoliation samples of surface runoff and tile drainage from a cotton research plot and surface runoff from a commercial field. The research plot was defoliated with a tank mixture of dimethipin and thidiazuron, and the commercial field, with tribufos. Dimethipin was detected (1.9-9.6 microg L(-)(1)) in all research plot samples. In the commercial field samples, tribufos concentration ranged from 0.1 to 135 microg L(-)(1). An exponentially decreasing concentration trend was observed with each successive storm event.