Effect of aggregate size on leaching of herbicide in soil columns

In a column experiment with dry aggregated soils, the effect of aggregate size on leaching of metribuzin from the upper soil layer (2.5 cm) was studied. The penetration of the herbicide was less than predicted by the equilibrium retardation factor. The penetration was less for large than for smalt aggregates due to kinetic effects induced by the aggregates. These kinetic effects overruled the effect of adsorption. Although the mean herbicide penetration was limited, part of the herbicide moved freely with the water as the herbicide was found throughout the column and in the leachate.     

COMPUTED EFFECTS OF ADSORPTION KINETICS ON PESTICIDE MOVEMENT IN SOILS

For a model at high water fluxes, the inclusion of first-order adsorption-desorption rate constants leads to slower leaching of pesticide and increased spread than predicted using instantaneous equilibrium. The initial condition of the substance near the soil surface is also found to be important. A model with simultaneous fast and slow adsorption-desorption equilibria describes and explains published experimental data comparatively well. Under a pattern of intermittent rainfall, the effect of adsorption-desorption kinetics on pesticide movement is comparatively small.     

Computed effect of decomposition on the partition coefficient determined by the batch equilibration method

A simulation model was used to calculate the effect of decomposition on the soil-water partition coefficient of a herbicide determined by a batch equilibrium method. The results showed the necessity of a correction for decomposition in calculating the equilibrium partition coefficient, especially during repeated desorption steps, even if the amount decomposed was very small. Estimation de l'effet de la déecomposition sur le coefficient de partage déterminé par la méthode de équilibres dans des suspensions Un modèle de simulation a été utilisé pour calculer l'effet de la décomposition d'un herbicide sur son coefficient de partage sol-eau, en déterminant les équilibres dans des suspensions. Les résultats ont montré la nécessité d'une correction pour la décomposition, dans le calcul du coefficient de partage en équilibre, particulièrement durant les étapes de la désorption, et même dans le cas oò les quantités décomposées ont été très faibles. Einfluss des Abbaus auf den Verteilungskoeffizienten-Bestim-mung nach der “batch-equilibration”—Methode Der Einfluss des Abbaus auf die Bestimmung des Boden/Wasser-Verteilungs koeffizienten eines Herbizids mit der “batch-equilibration”—Methode wurde mit einem Simulationsmodell erforscht. Die Ergebnisse ergaben, dass für die Berechnung des Verteilungskoeffizienten eine Korrektur eingeführt werden muss, die dem Abbau Rechnung trägt. Das gilt besonders für wiederholte Desorptionsschritte, auch wenn dabei die abgebaute Menge sehr klein ist.     

Integration of molecular genetic technology with quantitative genetic technology for maximizing the speed of genetic improvement

To date,most genetic progress for quantita-tive traits in livestock has been made by selec-tion on phenotype or on estimates of breedingvalues(BBV)derived from phenotype,withoutknowledge of the number of genes that affect thetrait or the effects of each gene.In this quantita-tive genetic approach to genetic improvement,the genetic architecture of traits of interest hasessentially been treated as a‘black box’.De-spite this,the substantial rates of genetic im-provement that have been and continue to be a-chie...