This addition to the UC IPM Web site compares pesticide impacts on water quality. Tables let
readers readily compare risks to water quality among all the pesticides recommended in a UC IPM Pest Management
Guideline for a specific crop and pest.
The new database provides information on environmental risk of pesticides. Use it to evaluate
potential for pesticides to move with water and eroded soil or organic matter, and to affect nontarget organisms.
It can help farmers consider the risks of leaching and runoff in making pest management decisions, particularly
pesticide choice.
From a guideline, click on the ãcompare treatmentsä button to see the display.
The potential risk of leaching and runoff may be affected by the amount of pesticide used,
the area covered, and how much pesticide comes in contact with the soil. The program takes a userâs input
about these factors to adjust the risk ratings given by the program.
The program is a partial implementation of the Windows Pesticide Screening Tool (WINPST) developed
by USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service. All data come from their Pesticide Properties Database. The
program includes WIN-PSTâs rating adjustments for application area, rate, and method.
An interactive version, which displays risks for a single pesticide selected by the user,
is also available on the Web site.
|