Soil conservation production systems in agriculture are characterized by the presence of mulch residue left on the surface, which protects the soil from erosion. In sugarcane production there is considerable interest in the effect of the sugarcane residue, or mulch cover, on reducing soil sediment and nitrogen and phosphate nutrient losses. Numerous studies on several crops have shown that crop residue or surface mulch can enhance weed control and reduce off-target herbicide losses. This informationis essential for the implementation of control measures or corrective actions needed to reduce chemical leaching and sediment losses from cropland and thus reduce contamination of surface water and groundwater. Some 10 years ago, the effectiveness of sugarcane mulch residue in south Louisiana on the retention of applied herbicides and their leaching losses in runoff was investigated at the LSU AgCenter. It was reported that significant amounts of applied herbicides were intercepted by the sugarcane mulch residue.
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