As. Hellkamp et al., ASSESSMENT OF THE CONDITION OF AGRICULTURAL LANDS IN 5 MID-ATLANTIC STATES, Environmental monitoring and assessment, 51(1-2), 1998, pp. 317-324
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.