Diagnosis of pesticide nonpoint pollution and management practices to reduce transfer to water

Abstract

Despite a strict procedure as regards pesticide registration and a cautious respect of application recommendation, pesticide may reach aquatic resources, mainly, due to the complex processes responsible for their transformation and transfer in natural systems (as climate, soil and under-ground properties, landscape organisation, agricultural practices). As for that, it is necessary to promote, in addition, relevant practices adapted to local conditions so as to reduce the potential of pesticide to move, both at the field and the catchment scales. But, as the involved parameters are numerous it is essential to achieve, first, a detailed diagnosis of the main causes which may lead to pesticide transfer on a defined area and then to identify corresponding pertinent actions. This article first explains the main agricultural and management practices which may reduce pesticide transfer to water resources and then proposes a methodology to achieve a diagnosis at the three scales of the large area (region), the catchment and the farm so as to enhance pertinent actions at each level.