Cotton Production and Water Quality: An Initial Assessment

Stephen R. Crutchfield, Marc Ribaudo, Parveen P. Setia, David Letson and LeRoy Hansen ()

No 278369, Staff Reports from United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service

Abstract: This report uses data on agricultural chemical use, related production practices, and resource conditions gathered in the 1989 Cotton Water Quality Survey to develop an initial assessment of cotton production's potential to affect the quality of surface and ground water. The survey reported data findings relating to cotton producers' use of agricultural chemicals and to resource conditions. Cotton farmers applied fertilizers to 82 percent, herbicides to 93 percent, and insecticides to 67 perc nt of surveyed acreage. Data from the survey were used as input to a set of screening and assessment procedures that relate soil and agrichemical properties, production practices, and the potential for impairing water quality. These models were used to assess the relative potential for agricultural chemicals used in cotton production to affect water quality. Results indicate that a potential for nitrates to leach into ground water and possible losses of pesticides to surface water are the most widespread resource concerns. A high potential for pesticide leaching appears less widespread.

Keywords: Crop Production/Industries; Resource/Energy Economics and Policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 55
Date: 1991-01
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:uerssr:278369

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.278369

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