Effect of maize cultivation techniques on overland flow and herbicide transport

Abstract

The effect of tillage techniques for maize crop on herbicide soil surface transfer was analysed at field scale, on two sites, under natural rainfall and using rainfall simulator. The combined strategy for weed control was compared to the classical whole chemical weed control. It induced a decrease in herbicide concentrations and export on the first rainfall events, due to the lower amount spread and tillage that restore initial soil infiltrability. The no-till methods had no effect on concentration but on soil infiltrability and herbicide export compared to the classical tillage, due to band wise mulch planting and decompacting. These cultivation techniques that improve soil surface conditions and infiltration of water are efficient to decrease soil surface transport and herbicide export in surface water.