Title: Avian consumption of blank pesticide granules applied at planting to Iowa cornfields
Abstract:Abstract Consumption of pesticide granules by free-ranging birds was quantified by applying blank (untreated silica granules to Iowa cornfields at rates varying from 3.9 to 17.3 kg/ha and examining th...Abstract Consumption of pesticide granules by free-ranging birds was quantified by applying blank (untreated silica granules to Iowa cornfields at rates varying from 3.9 to 17.3 kg/ha and examining the gizzards of birds collected from these fields for the presence of granules. One or more granules were found in the gizzards of 39% of 256 birds collected. Counts of gizzard granules averaged 0.6 to 0.9 for the three avian groups collected (horned larks, blackbirds, and sparrows). More than 95% of the specimens contained ≤3 granules; the maximum count was 6. On the basis of granule voiding experiments, we estimate that gizzard examinations detected 24% of the granules consumed per day. Median daily consumption for birds in general was estimated to be 2.4 granules, with 95% of individuals estimated to consume ≤18 granules. For the species with the highest consumption rate, the savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis), median consumption was 11 granules per day, with 95% of individuals estimated to consume ≤23 granules per day. Granule availability on the soil surface was highly correlated with the application rate. Counts within the application band immediately after application averaged 15 granules/ft2 for every 1 kg/ha applied, or about 6% of the granules applied. Our results suggest that when granular pesticides are applied to cropland, many birds may ingest granules, but the numbers ingested will generally be low.Read More
Publication Year: 1995
Publication Date: 1995-09-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 21
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