Leaching of nitrates and herbicides under low pressure (high volume) irrigation

Non-Peer ReviewedThe potential for contamination of groundwater by nitrates or pesticides from irrigated soils has not been fully evaluated. This project was initiated to monitor nitrate and herbicide leaching in a tile-drained field at SIDC in Outlook. Water samples were collected using suction lysimeters and analyzed for nitrate and four herbicides (2, 4-D, dicamba, bromoxynil and diclofop). The concentrations of nitrates at depth were maintained by the downward movement of applied andmineralized N. Trace amounts of 2, 4-D and diclofop were leached to 180 cm but bromoxynil and dicamba were not found below 60 cm depth. Dicamba and diclofop persisted longer in the soil than 2, 4-D or bromoxynil but were only present in trace amounts at the end of August