Tillage environmental impact

Many factors affect the mechanisms and kinetics of sorption and transport processes. For instance, differences in the chemical stmcture and properties, ie, ionizahility, solubiUty in water, vapor pressure, and polarity, between pesticides affect their behavior in the environment through effects on sorption and transport processes. Differences in soil properties, ie, pH and percentage of organic carbon and clay contents, and soil conditions, ie, moisture content and landscape position climatic conditions, ie, temperature, precipitation, and radiation and cultural practices, ie, crop and tillage, can all modify the behavior of the pesticide in soils. Persistence of a pesticide in soil is a consequence of a complex interaction of processes. Because the persistence of a pesticide can govern its availabiUty and efficacy for pest control, as weU as its potential for adverse environmental impacts, knowledge of the basic processes is necessary if the benefits of the pesticide ate to be maximized. 

From these data on pesticide usage, the environmental effects associated with adoption of GM crops will be assessed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Qualitatively, the impact will be predicted based on, for example, properties of pesticides, quantities of applied pesticides, times of application, pest characteristics, and geographic conditions. Subsequently, the quantitative assessment will employ methods such as environmental indicators that allow for a comparison of the environmental impacts of different pesticide regimes. The enviroiunental impact may also cover other important parameters associated with altered agronomic practices under GM crop cultivation, such as tillage practices and farmland biodiversity. 

---