The phytotoxicity of various herbicides in two sandy loam soils and the effect of liming

The phytotoxicity of five soil-acting herbicides was investigated in two sandy loam soils and that of a further five herbicides in one of these soils. The effect of liming on phytotoxicity was also examined. Metoxuron, fenuron, metribuzin and fluometuron were more active in Boddington Barn soil than in Bledington soil. Prometryne was similar in effect in both soils. Liming significantly increased the effect of metoxuron in Boddington Barn soil and metoxuron, atraton, difenoxuron and metribuzin in Bledington soil. Monolinuron was less toxic in limed Bledington soil. Reasons for these differences have not been determined.