Prediction of pesticide behavior in soil by means of simple field tests

A simple method is given for forecasting the reaction under different soil and site conditions of 106 pesticides with known binding strength by humus and clay in relation to pH and with known volatility and aerobic and anaerobic degradability. The method is based on easy-to-determine soil characteristics (texture, humus content, pH, groundwater table) and meteorological data (mean temperature, climatic water balance). It is possible to use this method to predict the environmental risk, especially the risk of contamination, and the groundwater pollution potential of a particular pesticide for a particular site in the field. In addition, recommendations for food contamination are given. This simple approach is suitable for use in on-site consultations. A reduction in pesticide input into near-surface groundwater can be expected when the recommendations derived from the model are applied. The use of this pragmatic model by farmers increases the awareness of the vulnerability of the groundwater recourse.