Diagnosis of agrochemical inputs in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) fields in the irrigated perimeter of Tadla, Morocco

Abstract

In Morocco, the irrigated perimeter of Tadla (IPT) is one of the regions most exposed to agricultural contaminants due to agricultural intensification. That study aims to establish a diagnosis of the employment of agrochemicals in the sugar beet crop (Beta vulgaris L.) at IPT. Accordingly, we examined agrochemical use data collected in consultation with 148 beet growers for a single agricultural campaign (2020-2021). Data proceeding results indicate five classes of agrochemicals in use in sugar beet fields: fertilizers (95.37%), pesticides (3.51%), adjuvants (0.1%), pH regulators (0.02%), and plant growth promoters (1%). Pesticides are applied in 97.29% of fields; they consist of insecticides (76.35%), herbicides (21.22%), and fungicides (2.43%). Chlorpyrifos, metamitrone, and epoxiconazole are the most used pesticides in the surveyed fields. Underuse and excessive use of pesticides were highlighted as two main modes indicatives of pesticide use trends in the surveyed fields. Excessive use of pesticides can lead to groundwater contamination. For this reason, managing weeds, pests, and pathogens in sugar beet fields needs to envisage other control alternatives to minimize the environmental impact of pesticides, particularly in the current context of water scarcity experienced by the irrigated perimeter of Tadla.