Why does residue assessment start at field level?

An investigation plan becomes useful when it connects the farm's history with differences within the cultivated area. Individual fields provide a way to organize this assessment and link results to management decisions.

Start with the history

Crop and application records, spray-mixing locations, storage areas and operational incidents help identify priority compounds. The analytical panel should address these hypotheses and include relevant metabolites when an appropriate method is available.

Recognize variability

Texture, organic matter, nutrients and accumulated pesticide residues significantly affect expected productivity. Areas with different uses or suspected localized contamination need to be represented in the plan. A composite sample must be consistent with the investigation question and must not dilute a hotspot that needs to be delineated.

Integrate the information layers

The assessment combines chemical results with agronomic attributes, records sampling depths and periods, and considers water movement. This integration guides the choice between expanding the investigation, testing a technology or monitoring changes over time.

Further reading: SPADOTTO, C. A. Lixiviação de pesticidas em solos [Pesticide leaching in soils]. 2025. The note above describes Terrapure's approach, not results from a farm.