Which term describes movement of pesticide in water moving horizontally; across the surface of a treated area?

Which term describes movement of pesticide in water moving horizontally; across the surface of a treated area?

• A. Runoff
• B. Leaching
• C. Drift
• D. Absorption

Answer: (A)

Horizontal surface movement of pesticide via water after application is runoff. When rain or irrigation water flows over the treated area, it can pick up pesticide and carry it off the surface, moving across the area rather than penetrating downward. This is different from leaching, which moves pesticides downward through the soil; drift, which is pesticide carried by wind in the air; and absorption, which is the pesticide being taken up by soil or plant tissues instead of moving along the surface. Understanding runoff helps you anticipate contamination risks and apply practices like timing applications to avoid heavy runoff, using buffer zones, and reducing application rates when rain is likely.

Horizontal surface movement of pesticide via water after application is runoff. When rain or irrigation water flows over the treated area, it can pick up pesticide and carry it off the surface, moving across the area rather than penetrating downward. This is different from leaching, which moves pesticides downward through the soil; drift, which is pesticide carried by wind in the air; and absorption, which is the pesticide being taken up by soil or plant tissues instead of moving along the surface. Understanding runoff helps you anticipate contamination risks and apply practices like timing applications to avoid heavy runoff, using buffer zones, and reducing application rates when rain is likely.