Agron. Sustain. Dev. 25 (2005) 253-266
DOI: 10.1051/agro:2005001

Using grassed strips to limit pesticide transfer to surface water: a review

Jean-Guillaume Lacas^{a, b}, Marc Voltz^c, Véronique Gouy^a, Nadia Carluer^a and Jean-Joël Gril<sup>a

a</sup>  CEMAGREF, UR Qualité des Eaux et Prévention des Pollutions, 3 bis quai Chauveau, 69336 Lyon, France
^b  ENGEES, 1 quai Koch, BP 1039F, 67070 Strasbourg, France
^c  INRA, UMR L.I.S.A.H., 2 place Viala, 34060 Montpellier, France

(Accepted 11 January 2005)

Abstract - Grassed buffer strips are one way to reduce pesticide transfer by surface runoff from farmed fields to streams. Numerous experimental studies have demonstrated that this type of development is very effective in various conditions. The results are nevertheless very variable. This variability is partially explained by the multiplicity of processes and contributive factors and by the fact that the latter are dynamic in nature and site-specific. Several results also show that the intercepted products are not systematically immobilized within the strip but can move in the subsurface, thus affecting the overall effectiveness of the system. As a consequence of this complexity, the present guidelines for the sizing and siting of grassed strips are still only qualitative or are the result of empirical approaches. The present review analyses the available results and defines needs for further research. This concerns several basic processes determining the pesticide interception by grassed strips and numerical models necessary to integrate the complexity of interacting processes and formulate reliable managing guidelines.

Key words: buffer zone / grassed strip / pesticides / best management practices / nonpoint source pollution / modeling

Corresponding author: Jean-Guillaume Lacas lacas@lyon.cemagref.fr

© INRA, EDP Sciences 2005