Abstract

MONTICO, Sergio  and  DI LEO, Néstor. Environmental risk from pesticides in a southern basin of the Santa Fe province, Argentina. Rev. Int. Contam. Ambient [online]. 2015, vol.31, n.2, pp.165-172. ISSN 0188-4999.

The aim of this study was to establish relationships between land use management and environmental risk by the use of pesticides in a rural basin at the south of Santa Fe province. Ten land units were identified in which an environmental pesticide risk index was calculated for soybeans, corn and wheat. Pesticide management patterns related to the type of active ingredient, average dose and opportunity for application, were assumed. The index considered attributes of soil and water from land units, and had values from lowest to highest risk according to soybean-wheat / soybean-corn. The basin has 34.9% of the surface with little or no risk, 40.5% with medium and 8.1% with high risk. Results obtained provide useful support for the formulation of policies promoting sustainable interactions between agriculture and the environment, so they can join with the plans of decision makers as proactive strategies.

Keywords : IRA; landscape unit; soil use.