ARS | Publication request: Effects of Basis Gold Herbicide on Sunshine Bass Culture Ponds

Submitted to: American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting
Publication Acceptance Date: March 21, 2004
Publication Date: August 23, 2004
Citation: Ludwig, G.M., Edzigie, R., Perschbacher, P. Effects Of Basis Gold Herbicide On Sunshine Bass Culture Ponds. American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. 2004. [abstract] P.2.

Technical Abstract: Fish culture ponds are often located next to corn fields that require aerial application of the herbicide Basis Gold'. Its main components are rimsulfuron, nicosulfuron and atrazine. Effects of these components on water quality and plankton densities at herbicide concentrations equal to a direct overspray (0.79 lb/A active ingredient), and at 1/10 and 1/100 of that amount to simulate aerial drift. Tests were conducted in 500 L mesocosms filled with water from a sunshine bass culture pond. No measurable effects were found for rimsulfuron and nicosulfuron. Atrazine had significant effects on several variables including chlorophyll a, primary productivity, pH, ammonia-N and un-ionized ammonia-N concentrations and cladoceran and rotifer concentrations. Although there were significant effects on water quality and zooplankton resources, the results did not indicate a significant biological risk to sunshine bass culture ponds when Basis Gold' herbicide is used at recommended application rates.