Very intensive cultivation systems have been developed in the delta of the
Chao Phraya River for about a century. The objective of the study was to de
termine the fate of the fertilisers and pesticides applied to vineyards gro
wn on raised beds. Water samples were collected from the outlet of a vineya
rd to determine the discharge of pollutants in the canal. The accumulation
of elements in the soil was investigated by analysing soil samples from dif
ferent fields. Fertilisation was estimated at 670 kg N, 300 kg P, and 560 k
g K year(-1) ha(-1). Insecticides and fungicides were applied every four da
ys on average, using up to 23 different molecules. Little N and no P were d
ischarged in the canals in solution and discharge in suspension was minor,
Pesticides were detected in 36% of the water samples. The topsoil contained
1600 mg kg(-1) Bray II P, 936 mg kg(-1) exchangeable K, 170 mg kg(-1) tota
l Cu, and 167 mg kg(-1) total Zn. Pesticides were detected in 62% of the fr
uits after peeling, Overuse of fertilisers did not lead to water pollution,
but overuse of pesticides resulted in pollution of the water bodies and of
the fruits. Most applied elements accumulated in the soil, resulting in hi
gh values of P, K, Cu, and Zn.