Pesticides, which are used in agriculture for pest and disease control, has caused contamination of water resources. The consequences are changes in ecosystems and damage to health, especially when the waters are used for human consumption. The contamination occurs mainly in areas near the application site by surface runoff or groundwater contamination. Some factors affecting transport to the aquatic environment are the properties of the chemical and environmental conditions, such as soil type, slope, land cover and climate. Some factors such as plateau relief and quartzose soil are present in the most part of the country, causing the water pollution more severe. The adoption of more rational agricultural practices by farmers and measures for protection of riparian forests can prevent pesticide contamination of water resources, which consists in the most efficient control practice for agricultural pollution in the tropical regions.
agriculture; water; residues; agrochemicals; herbicides