ASSESSMENT OF THE CONDITION OF AGRICULTURAL LANDS IN 5 MID-ATLANTIC STATES

Indicators of the condition and sustainability of agricultural lands i n five mid-Atlantic states were measured in 1994. Indicators were sele cted to reflect crop productivity and land stewardship on annually har vested herbaceous crop (AHHC) land, which covers almost 10% of the lan d area in this region. Overall, condition of agricultural lands in the region is good. Crops generally yielded more than those grown in the 1980s, with a mean observed/expected yield index greater than 1. The m ean soil quality index was slightly better than a ''moderate'' rating for crop growth. Almost 2/3 of the AHHC land is covered by crop rotati on plans, with the remaining land mostly in hay fields. Insecticides w ere applied to less than 20% of AHHC land, and less than 20% of the la nd where pesticides were applied has high to moderately high potential for pesticides leaching into groundwater. However, integrated pest ma nagement (IPM) is practiced on less than 20% of AHHC land. Hay showed more efficient use of nitrogen than seed crops, and non-tilled sites, which are mostly hay, had more microbial biomass (suggesting more nutr ient cycling) than tilled sites. This information could provide a base line for a long-term monitoring program for agroecosystems in the regi on.