Are Some Application Methods Able to Reduce Pesticide Exposure to Terrestrial Amphibians?
Hirsch, Regina1, Temple, Stanley1, 1 ABSTRACT- Some amphibians spend time foraging in and around agricultural fields or migrating through fields to reach their breeding or hibernation sites. During their travels amphibians may be exposed to potentially lethal or behavior altering pesticides. Behavioral effects may reduce an amphibian’s ability to avoid predation, avoid dessication, or find and capture prey, thereby reducing survival. Pesticide labels identify different application methods farmers may use. Granular formulations generally have two main application methods, in-furrow and banded. Granules in the in-furrow application are dropped into a seed furrow approximately 2 to 4 cm below the soil surface. In contrast, a 17.48-cm banded application, places granules on top of soil surface and incorporates them into the top 2.54 cm of the soil by dragging tines and chains behind the planter. However, many granules remain on the soil surface where they could contact an amphibian’s moist
