THE DEGRADATION OF TRIAZINE AND URACIL HERBICIDES IN SOIL*

Summary. The rates of degradation of three triazine and two uracil herbicides were followed at 13·2 and 31·2°C in one soil. Soil was treated with 8 ppm of 2-chloro-4-ethyl-amino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine (atrazine), 2-chloro-4,6-bisethylamino-1,3,5-triazine (simazine), 2-mcthylthio-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine (ametryne), 3-sec-butyl-5-bromo-6-methyluracil (bromacil) and 3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-6-methyluracil (terbacil) and monthly samples analysed chemically to determine the amounts remaining. Evaluation of the rate constant at two temperatures permitted calculation of the energy of activation from the Arrhenius equation. It was determined to a first approximation that soil degradation followed a first order rate law with no lag period and that the rate could be related to molecular structure. The energies of activation in kcals/mole were: atrazine 10-8, simazine 9-2, ametryne 6-1, bromacil 3-0, and terbacil 6-1. These values suggest breakage of the common carbon-chlorine bond in atrazine and simazine but breakage of a different bond in ametryne. Examination of bond energies and known mechanisms of breakdown for triazines supported the hypothesis of breakage of the bond at the two position. The data on decomposition of the uracils indicate that the carbon-halogen bond was broken in each molecule. Dégradation des triazines et des uraciles herbicides dans le sol Résumé. Les taux de dégradation de trois triazines et de deux uraciles herbicides ont été observés α 13,2 et 31,2° C dans un sol. Ce sol a été traitéà la concentration de 8 ppm avec la 2-chloro-4-éthyIainino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine (atrazine), la 2-chloro-4,6-biséthylamino-l,3,5-triazine (simazine), la 2 méthylthio-4-éthylamino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine (amétryne), le 3-sec-butyl-5-bromo-6-méthyluracile (bromacil) et le 3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-6-méthyluracile (terbacil). Des échunlillons ont été analysés chimiquement tous les mois pour déterminer les résidus. L'évaluation du taux constant à deux températures a permis le calcul de l'energie d'activation d'aprés l'équation d'Arrhenius. Selon une premiére approximation, la dégradation a suivi une loi de taux de premier ordre sans période de retard et le taux peut être reliéà la structure moléculaire. Les énergies d'activation en kcals/mole furent: atrazine 10,8, simazine 9,2, amétryne 6,1, bromacil 3,0 et terbacil 6,1. Ces valeurs suggérent une rupture d'une liaison carbone-chlore dans I'atrazine et la simazine mais la rupture d'une liaison différente dans l'amétryne. L'examen des énergies de liaison et des mécanismes connus de dégradation pour les triazines amène à formuler l'hypothése de la rupture d'une liaison en position deux. Les résultats relatifs aux uraciles indiquent tjue la liaison carbone-halogéne a été rompue dans chaque molécule. Der Abbau von Triazin- und Uracilherbiziden im Boden Zusammenfassung. Die Abbaurate von 3 Triazin- und 2 Uracilherbiziden im Boden wurde bei 13,2 und 3l,2°C untersucht. Aus dem mit 8 ppm 2-Chlor-4-athylamino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazin (Atrazin),2-Chlor-4,6-bisathylamino-[3,5-lriazin (Simazin), 2-Methyllhio-4-athylamino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazin (Ametryn), 3-scc-Butyl-5-brom-6-methyluracil (Bromacil) und 3-tert-Butyl-5-chlor-6-methyluracil (Terbacil) behandelten Bodenrückständen wurden monatlich Proben entnommen und chemisch die Rückstände erniittelt. Die Bestimmung der Geschwindigkeitskonslantcn bei zwei Temperaturen eriaubte die Borechnung der Aktivicrungscnergic nach der Arrhenischen Gleichung. In erster Annäierung verlief der Abbau als Prozcss erster Ordnung ohne Latenzphase und die Abbaurate stand in Beziehung zur Struktur des Molekuls. Die Aktivierungsenergie betrug fur Atrazin 10,8, Simazin 9,2, Ametryn 6,1, Bromacit 3,0 und Terbacil 6,1 kcal/Mol. Diese Werte lassen für Simazin und Atrazin einen Bruchder der bcide Herbizide gemeinsamen Kohlensloff-Chlorbindung vermuten, wahrend im Falle des Ametryn eine andere Bindung hiervon betroffen war. Die Prufung der Bindungsenergien und der bekannten Abbau me chanismen bei Triazinen unterstCitzcn die Hypothcse, dass der Bruch in der 2-Position erfolgte. Die Ergebnisse fur die Uracile deuten darauf hin, dass bei beiden Moleküien der Abbau an der Kohlenstoff-Halogenbindung ansetzte.     

DIFFUSION COEFFICIENTS FOR TWO TRIAZINE HERBICIDES IN SIX SOILS

Summary. Diffusion of the triazine herbicides propazine and prometryne was studied in six soils. Apparent diffusion coefficients were calculated from the distribution of herbicide in a column of soil after diffusion from one half of the column for a known time. The magnitude of the diffusion coefficients varied from 1·5 × 10^?9 cm² sec^?1 for propazine in a sandy soil to 3·1 × 10^?9 cm² sec^?1 for prometryne in an organic soil. Under the conditions of measurement, the diffusion coefficients decreased in proportion to the extent of adsorption. Calculations were made to determine over what distances diffusion could be of importance in the movement of these herbicides. Coefficients de diffusion de deux triazines herbicides dans six sols Résumé. La diffusion de deux triazines herbicides, la propazine et la prometryne a étéétudiée dans six sols. Les coefficients de diffusion apparente furent calculés selon la distribution de I'herbicide dans une colonne de sol, aprés diffusion à partir de la moitié de la colonne pendant un temps connu. Les coefficients de diffusion variérent de 1,5 × 10^?7cm² see^?1 pour la propazine dans un sol sableux, á 3,1 × 10^?9 cm² sec^?2 pour la prométryne dans un sol organique. Dans les conditions oú les mesures furent effectuées, les coefficients de diffusion diminuérent en proportion de 1′étendue de l'adsorption. Des calculs ont été effectués pour detérminer au-delá de quelles distances la diffusion pouvait presenter une importance dans le mouvement de ces herbicides. Difftisions-KoeffizienUnfur zwei Trtazin-Deriaate in sechs Böden Zusammenfassung. Die Diffusion der beiden Triazin-Derivate Propazin und Prometryn wurde in sechs Böden untersucht. Die Diffusions-Koeffizienten wurden aus der Verteilung des Herbizids in einer Bodensaule nach Diffusion aus der einen Säulenhalfte in einer bestimmten Zeit errechnet. Die Grösse der Diffusions-Koeffizienten variierte von 1,5 × 10^?7 cm²× sec^?1 bei Propazin in einem Sandboden bis 3,1 × 10^?9 cm²× sec^?1 bei Prometryn in einem Humus-Boden. Unter den gegebenen Versuchsbedingungen nahmen die Diffusions-Koeffizienten in Abhángigkeit von der Stärke der Adsorption ab, Es wurden Berechnungen darüber angestellt, über welche Entfernungcn die Diffusion dieser Herbizide im Boden eine Rolle spielen könnte.     

EVALUATION OF HERBICIDE PERSISTENCE IN SOIL*

Summary. The persistence of ten herbicides in soil was tested in the glasshouse over a 5–month period, using an oat bioassay. Simazine and diuron were highly persistent, atrazine persistent, fluometuron, trifluralin, bromacil and noruron moderately persistent, and pyrazon, prometryne and ametryne of short persistence. Six of these herbicides were also included in a field experiment consisting of logarithmically sprayed strips on which oats were sown at ten intervals of 1 month; changes of herbicidal activity with time were evaluated by measuring the length of the strip showing herbicidal injury. Results corroborate those of the glasshouse experiments except for trifluralin which was more persistent in the field. Disappearance curves were generally sigmoidal. The more persistent compounds showed a long period of slow disappearance followed by rapid disappearance.     

涕灭威在棉籽和土壤中的残留研究

采用气相色谱火焰光度检测器测定了涕灭威及其有毒代谢物在棉籽和土壤中的残留,并对文献报道的方法作了改进。该方法的回收率为85—105％。在棉籽和土壤中的最小检测量分别为0.006ppm和0.004ppm。两年内在8个地区进行涕灭威在棉花上的田间和小区试验结果表明,涕灭威主要滞留在0—10cm的土壤中,最高检出量为0.039ppm,而残留量与施药量呈正相关;在施药量大于1.2kg/ha时,棉籽中有涕灭威检出,平均检出量为0.023ppm,最高检出量为0.035ppm。     

DEGRADATION OF SEVERAL HERBICIDES IN A SOIL PREVIOUSLY TREATED WITH MCPA

Summary. Soil which had received nine previous field treatments of MGPA (33 kg/ha) at intervals of about 6 months, and which had become able to detoxify MCPA more rapidly than untreated control soil, was able to degrade MCPB with equal facility. In contrast, the disappearance rates of phytotoxic residues of dichlorprop (2-(2,4-dichloro-phenoxy)propionic acid), mecoprop (2-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)propionic acid), fenoprop (2-(2,4,5-trichlorophcnoxy)propionic acid) and dicamba (2-methoxy-3,6-dichlorobcnzoic acid), as determined with a bioassay technique, were unaffected by previous treatments of the soil with MCPA. Indirect evidence from these studies suggests that β-oxidation of MCPB to MCPA did not occur to any significant extent either in the soil to which the roots of the indicator plant were exposed or in the roots themselves. Dégradation de quelques herbicides dans un sol préddenvnent traté avec le MCPA Résumé. Un sol ayant reçu 9 traitements au MGPA (3,3 kg/ha) à des intervalles d'environ 6 mois et qui est devenu capable de dégrader le MCPA plus rapidement qu'un téntoin non traité, s'est montré capable de diégrader le MGPB avec la mêmefacilité. En revanehe, les taux de disparition de résidus toxiques déterminés par des testsbiologiques, du dichlorprop (acide 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propionique), du mécoprop(acide 2-(4-chloro-2-méthylphénoxy)propionique), du fénoprop (acide 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophénoxy)propionique) et du dicamba (acide 2-méthoxy-3,6-dichlorobenzoique) n'ont pas été affectés par les traitements antérieurs avec le MCPA. Comme conclusion indirecte de ces travaux il est suggéré que la β-oxydation du MGPB en MCPA ne se produit pas à un dcgré significatif dans le sol où les racines desplantes servant d'indicateurs sont plongées, pas plus que dans les racincs elles-mêmes. Abbau von verschiedenen Herbiziden in einem vorher mit MCPA behandelten Boden Zusammenfassung. Boden, der auf dem Feld in Abstanden von sechs Monaten neunmal mit MGPA (3,3 kg/ha) behandelt wurde und dadurch in der Lage war, MGPA schneiler umzuwandeln als der unbchandelte Kon troll boden, konnte MCPB gleichermassen abbauen. Mit Hilfe von Biotests wurde ermittelt, dass vorausgehende Behandlungen des Bodens mit MCPA dagegen keinen Einfiuss auf die Abbaurate phytotoxischer Rückstände von Dichlorprop (2-(2,4-Dichlor-phenoxy)-propionsäurc), Mecoprop(2-(4-Ghlor-2-methyl-phenoxy)-propionsäure), Fenoprop (2-(2,4,5-Trichlorphenoxy)-propionsaure) und Dicamba (3,6-Dichlor-2-methoxy-benzoesaure) hatten. Die Ergebnisse lassen darauf schliessen, dass der β-Oxidation von MCPB zu MGPA weder im Boden, dem die Wurzein der Testpflanzen ausgesetzt waren, noch in den Wurzeln selbst Bedeutung zukam.     

THE PERSISTENCE AND PENETRATION OF LARGE DOSES OF SIMAZINE IN UNCROPPED SOIL

Summary. The residues remaining in the soil from repeated annual application of simazine at 2–8, 5–6, and 22–4 kg/ha to uncropped plots on a loam soil were measured by chemical or bioassay methods at various intervals after treatment.
The total simazine residue present 12 months after the last of three treatments with 2–8 kg/ha and 8 months after the last of five treatments with 5–6 kg/ha was less than 10% of the annual dose. This rapid decomposition is considered consistent with the soil and climatic conditions. In contrast a much larger residue (a mean value of 1·7 kg/ha) was found on plots sampled 21/2 years after the last of two annual applications of simazine at 22·4 kg/ha and the reduction in the amount of residue during the next 12 months was only of the order of 25%.
In all treatments the highest concentration of simazine was found in the surface layers of the soil but measurable residues were detected to 60 cm depth, 31/2 years after the last 22·4 kg/ha application.
There was considerable variation in the total residues recovered between replicate plots and between different positions on the same plots in all treatments regardless of the depth of the sample. The possible causes of this variation are discussed.
Persistance et pénétration de fortes doses de simazine dans un sol non cultivé     

THE PERSISTENCE OF SIMAZINE APPLIED ANNUALLY IN THE PROLONGED ABSENCE OF SOIL CULTIVATION

Summary. Successive bioassays during 1966 and 1967 showed that simazine degradation reached 80% in 11 and 22i weeks, respectively, in soil from the 0–2 in. horizon of a gooseberry experiment to which simazine had been applied annually in the absence of soil cultivation from 1960. Where an annual farmyard-manure mulch was also applied, the same loss of residual activity was reached in 10 and 20 weeks. This mulch initially reduced the simazine level rapidly compared to that of unmulched soil, but the subsequent rates of degradation were similar. The rate of simazine degradation depended more on environmental conditions each year than on soil type. The results indicate that an annual simazine degradation in excess of 80% can be expected in Loughgall soils in conditions of non-tillage. Even if simazine applications continued indefinitely at an annual dose of 20 Ib/ac–the current dose in the gooseberry experiment–a large residue accumulation could not occur with or without a mulch.
Persistance de la simazine appliquée annuellement en l'absence prolongée de façons culturales     

THE PHYTOTOXICITY OF SOME HERBICIDES IN FIELD AND POT EXPERIMENTS IN RELATION TO SOIL PROPERTIES

Summary. The phytotoxicities in a number of soils of lenacil, linuron, prometryne and simazine to two indicator plants were determined in field and glasshouse experiments. The results were compared with estimates of the adsorption capacity of the soils obtained by two methods using dimethylaminobenzaldehyde as a model adsorbate. The possible influence of other soil properties was also considered.
One of the adsorption measurements had some predictive value for glasshouse behaviour but was not markedly superior to soil organic carbon content for this purpose. None of the factors studied was usefully correlated with field performance. Results from field experiments in spring were poorly correlated with those from similar experiments in autumn. Neither set of field results related closely to those obtained in the glasshouse. It is concluded that the influence of climate was more important than that of soil type.
La phytotoxiciti de quelquts herbicides dans des experiences en pots et en plein champ, en relation avec les propriétés du sol     

TRIAZINE HERBICIDES ON MAIZE AND THEIR RESIDUAL EFFECTS ON FOLLOWING CROPS*

Summary. Pre-emergence application of 2–5 kg/ha (a.i.) of atrazine or simazine was the most effective treatment for control of broad-leaved weeds in maize. Other triazines injured maize at all rates tested. Among the crops following maize treated with atrazine or simazine at 2–5 kg/ha, sugar beet was injured whereas wheat, oats, vetch, onions and soybeans were not. Post-emergence application of triazine herbicides was not effective and did not increase maize yields significantly over those of the unweeded plots. Wheat, oats, vetch and sugar beet were injured when following maize treated with post-emergence sprays; onions and soybeans showed no visible injury except from atrazine or simazine at 5 kg/ha or more, and from mixtures of atrazine+prometryne or atrazine+ametryne at 12–5 kg/ha. Les triazines herbicides sur le mais et leurs arrière-effets sur les cultures suivantes     

STUDIES ON THE EFFECTS OF HERBICIDES ON SOIL NITRIFICATION*

Summary. A perfusion technique was used to examine effects of selected herbicides (concentration range 50–1000 ppm) on the rate of oxidation of ammonia to nitrate in garden loam soil. Effects on the nitrification rate of soil, previously enriched with nitrifying organisms, were used to estimate direct action on the processes of ammonia oxidation. The kinetics of nitrification in fresh soil were used to estimate effects on bacterial growth and to detect possible adaptations to herbicide toxicity. The herbicides used could be ranged in the following order of increasing effectiveness as inhibitors of ammonia oxidation: dichlobenil < paraquat < picloram < 2,3,6-TBA = chlorthiamid < bromoxynil < chlorflurazole < ioxynil < propanil. Endothal only stimulated ammonia oxidation, even up to 1000 ppm. Endothal, paraquat and 2,3,6-TBA had no apparent effects on bacterial proliferation; the inhibitory effects of the remaining herbicides were in the order: picloram < dichlobenil = bromoxynil < ioxynil < chlorthiamid = chlorflurazole = propanil. With the exception of paraquat and endothal all herbicides seemed to become less toxic during perfusion of fresh soil, i.e. over the enrichment period of 26–28 days. In the case of propanil and chlorthiamid this could have been due to the destruction of the herbicide by soil micro-organisms. With picloram and 2,3,6-TBA it is probable that there was an adaptive loss of sensitivity of the nitrifying organisms to the toxic action of the herbicides. The evidence available suggests that Nitrosomonas is more sensitive than Nitrobacter to herbicide action. Recherches sur les effets des herbicides sur la nitrification Résumé. Une technique de perfusion a été utilisée pour examiner les effets d'une série d'herbicides (á des concentrations de 50 á 1000 ppm) sur le taux d'oxydation de l'ammoniac en nitrate dans un sol de jardin limoneux. Les effets sur le taux de nitrification du sol, préaiablement enrichi avec des organismea nitrifiants, ont été utilisés pour évaluer l'action directe sur les processus d'oxydation de l'ammoniac. Les données cinétiques de la nitrification dans un sol frais ont été utilisées pour évaluer les effets sur la croissance des bactéries et pour déceler les adaptations possible h la toxicité de l'herbicide. Les herbicides utilisés purent être classés comme suit dans i'ordre croissant d'activité inhibitrice de I'oxydation de I'ammoniac: dichlobénil<paraquat<piclorame<2,3,6- TBA = chlorthiamide<bromoxynil<chlorflurazole<ioxynii<propanil. Scul l'endothal provoqua une stimulation de I'oxydation de I'ammoniac jusquà 1000 ppm. L'endothal, le paraquat et le 2,3,6-TBA ne présentèrent pas d'activité apparente sur la proiifération bactérienne; les effets inhibiteurs des autres herbicides furent, dans I'ordrc: piclorame < dichlobenil = bromoxynil<ioxynil<chlorthiamide = chlorflurazole = propanil. A l'exception du paraquat et de l'endothal, tous les herbicides parurent devenir moins toxiques pendant la perfusion sur un sol frais, c'est-à-dire au deli delà période d'enrichissemenl de 26 à 28 jours. Dans le cas du dichlobénil et du chlorthiamide, ceci pourrait avoir été provoqué par la destruction de l'herbicide par lea micro-organismes. Avec le piclorame et le 2,3,6-TBA, il est probable qu'il y eut une adaptation consistanten une perte dela sensibilité des organismes nitrifiants vis-à-vis de i'action toxique des herbicides. Les résultats obtenus suggèrent que les Nitrosomonas sont plus sensibles que les JVitrobacter kà l'action des herbicides. Untersuchungen zum Einfluss von Herbiziden auf die Nitrifikation des Bodens Zusammenfassung. Mit Hilfe einer Perfusionsmethode wurde der Einfluss von bestimmten Herbiziden (Konzentration zwischen 50 und IOO ppm) auf die Oxydationsrate von Ammonium zu Nitrat in Garteniehmboden untersucht. Der Einfluss auf die Nitrifikationsrate des Bodens, der zuvor mit nitrifizierenden Organismen angereichert worden war, wurde als Mass fur die direkte Wirkung der Herbizide auf die Prozesse der Ammoniumoxydation verwendet. Die Kinetik der Nltrifikation in frischem Boden wurde als Mass für die Beeinflussung des Bakterienwaehstums und zur Feststellung einer moglicherweise auftretenden Adaptation an die Herbizidtoxizität verwendet. Für untersuehte Herbizide ergab sich, geordnet nach zunehnnender Hemmung der Ammoniumoxydation, folgende Reihenfolge: Diehlobenil<Paraquat<Pieloram<2,3,6-TBA = Chlorthiamid<Bromoxynil<Chlorflurazole<Ioxynil<Propanil. Endothal stimulierte die Ammoniumoxydation selbst in Konzentration bis zu 1000 ppm. Endothal, Paraquat und 2,3,6-TBA hatten keinen augenscheinlich Efifekt auf die bakterielle Proliferation; fur die Hemmwirkung der ubrigen Herbizide ergab sich folgende Reihenfolge: Picloram < Dichlobenil = Bromoxynil < Ioxynil < Chlorthiamid = Chlorflurazole = Propanil. Mit Ausnahme von Paraquat und Endothal wurden alle Herbizide wahrend der Perfusion dureh frisehen Boden, d.h. wahrend einer Enrichmentperiode von 26–28 Tagen, of Tensichtlich weniger toxiseh. Im Falle von Propanil und Chlorthiamid kann dies auf den Abbau der Herbizide durch die Bodenmikroorganismen zurüekzuführen sein. Bei Piclorani und 2,3,6-TBA handelte es sich wahrscheinlich um einen adaptiven Verlust der Empfindlichkeit der nitrifizierenden Organismen gegenuber der toxisehen Wirkung der Herbizide. Die Ergebnisse lassen den Sehluss zu, dass Nitrosomonas gegenüber Herbizide empfindlicher ist als Nitrobakter.     

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE HERBICIDAL EFFECT OF 2,6-DICHLOROBENZONITRILE AND ITS PERSISTENCE IN THE SOIL

Summary. A series of experiments with 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile is described. It is demonstrated that 2,6-DBN is highly phytotoxic when applied as a soil drench or preemergence spray in the greenhouse, but measurement of crop and weed responses in the field, accompanied by quantitative assessment of the chemical residues in the soil, indicates that the persistence of 2,6-DBN following surface application is short under both tropical and temperate (winter) conditions. It is, however, extended from a few days to several weeks if the chemical is incorporated into the soil immediately after application. Under tropical conditions the effect of 4 lb/ac applied to the surface is roughly equated to 2 lb/ac immediately watered-in, 1.5 lb/ac immediately raked-in, or 1 lb/ac both watered- and raked-in, and a delay of 4 hours between application and incorporation is shown to reduce the effectiveness of the chemical by about half. The lack of persistence of 2,6-DBN when applied to the soil surface, and the modifying influence of soil incorporation and watering is attributed to its high vapour pressure (5 × I0⁻⁴ mm Hg at 20° C) and its relatively low solubility in water (20 ppm at 25° C).
Le rapporl entre l'activité herbicide du 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile et sa persistance dans le sol     

AUTOMATED COLORIMETRIC PROCEDURE FOR THE DETERMINATION OF TOTAL AND UNCHANGED UREA HERBICIDE RESIDUES IN SOIL

Summary. An automated colorimetric method has been described for the determination of both total and unchanged herbicide residues of the urea herbicides fluometuron, metobromuron, chlorbromuron and chlortoluron. The method is based on the well-known Bratton-Marshall diazotization-coupling reaction for aromatic amines and is also applicable for other phenylureas as well as for N-phenylcarbamate and anilide herbicides. The procedure is especially useful when large series of soil samples have to be analysed, for instance in connection with leaching experiments. Manual work and working time have been reduced with this method by up to 50%.     

THE EFFECT OF REPEATED FIELD APPLICATIONS OF FOUR HERBICIDES ON THE EVOLUTION OF CARBON DIOXIDE AND MINERALIZATION OF NITROGEN IN SOIL

The effect of repeated annual applications over 7-8 years of MCPA, triallate, simazine and linuron to field plots on the evolution of CO₂ and mineralization of nitrogen in soil samples incubated in the laboratory is described. The plots were either cropped and treated with standard doses, or uncropped and sprayed with doses 3-4 times above the level used in agricultural practice. While the applications of MCPA and tri-allate did not exert any inhibitory effects in soils from the uncropped plots those of simazine and linuron led to a lowering in CO₂ output in several instances and in mineral N on infrequent occasions. These effects are assumed to be the result of a difference in the content of easily-degradable organic matter between the treated plots and the controls. A direct anti-microbial action of the two herbicides is not very probable because in laboratory experiments with simazine up to 512 ppm the output of CO₂ and the mineralization of N was not affected while linuron at 500 ppm gave only a minor depression in CO₂ evolution. Effects on soil fertility are unknown but seem unlikely in view of the small extent and infrequency of the reductions observed. On the cropped plots the MCPA and tri-allate treatment showed no effects. With linuron and simazine a significant lowering in respiration and mineralization of N occurred on single occasions only, during a 5-year period.     

VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION OF HERBICIDES IN SOIL AND THEIR AVAILABILITY TO PLANTS: SHOOT COMPARED WITH ROOT UPTAKE

Summary. Turnip, lettuce and ryegrass seedlings showed toxicity symptoms following shoot exposure to atrazine, linuron and aziprotryne at soil concentrations less than would be obtained from normal field applications. Responses following shoot exposure to simazine and lenacil were much less. Root exposure to all five herbicides caused seedling death at concentrations lower than those required for 'shoot-zone' toxicity. Pronamide and chlorpropham were tested against ryegrass only and at the concentrations examined were toxic only when localized in the shoot zone. Root exposure suppressed root growth, but the shoots were able to grow normally if the soil was kept sufficiently moist. Shoots contained more ¹⁴C-atrazine at emergence after shoot exposure compared with root exposure, but there was little subsequent uptake from the shoot zone. There was extensive uptake from the root zone after emergence. In the shoot-zone treatments, concentrations in the plant were high at emergence but were rapidly diluted by plant growth, whereas with root exposure, they increased throughout the experiments. The possible significance of these results to herbicide bebaviour under field conditions is discussed.
La distribution verticale des herbicides dans le sol et leur disponibilité pour les plantes: absorption comparée par la partie aèrienne et par les radnes     

VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION OF HERBICIDES IN SOIL AND THEIR AVAILABILITY TO PLANTS: TREATMENT OF DIFFERENT PROPORTIONS OF THE TOTAL ROOT SYSTEM

Summary. Uptake of atrazine and linuron by wheat seedlings was measured from different initial distributions of herbicide in the soil. Uptake of both compounds was proportional to the fraction of the total root system exposed to herbicide-treated soil. It was calculated that under the conditions of the experiments, this factor would offset the reduction in concentration of herbicide in the soil following incorporation of 1 kg/ha to 3, 6 or 9 cm, so that after the same time, the concentrations of herbicide in the plants in the different treatments would be similar.
La distribution verticale des herbicides dans le sol et leur disponibilité pour tes plantes: traitement de différentes fractions de l'ensemble du système racinaire total     

THE DECOMPOSITION OF UREA HERBICIDES BY BACILLUS SPHAERICUS, ISOLATED FROM SOIL

Summary. The decomposition of seven urea herbicides by Bacillus sphaericus was studied. Experiments with ¹⁴C-labelled monolinuron demonstrated that monolinuron was degraded by removal of CO₂ from the ureido portion of the molecule and leaving the /Kchloroaniline moiety. Tests with monuron, diuron, monolinuron, linuron, metobromuron, fluometuron and methabenzthiazuron indicated that B. sphaericus was only able to decompose the methoxy compounds monolinuron, linuron and metobromuron in this way. All compounds were identified by infrared spectroscopy. A pathway for degradation of the herbicides by B. sphaericus is proposed.     

THE CONTROL OF WEEDS IN TEA BY HERBICIDES IN MAURITIUS

Summary. Weed control experiments carried out in tea plantations showed that diuron at doses 2·4, 3·2 and 4·8 lb/ac a.i. resulted in better and more persistent weed control than siamazine.
Shoot absorption experiments carried out on three tea jats, dark, medium and light, showed that the tea jats differed in their tolerance to both diuron and simazine, the light one being the most susceptible.
A difference IN the expression of phytotoxic effects between leaf and root absorption was observed for diuron only. At equivalent doses, 2-year-old plants were in general more susceptible to diuron than to simazine.
Diuron and simazine used alone at 2·4, 3·2 and 4·8 lb/ac a.i. or with addition of sodium chlorate at 6 lb/ac to improve the kill of emerged weeds, did not affect yield of either pruned unpruned 6-year-oId tea. Dalapon, on the other hand, at 6 lb/ac significantly reduced the yield of unpruned tea but not of pruned lea.
Le désherbage chimique du théè l'lle Maurice     

RESPONSE OF YELLOW NUTSEDGE,FLORIDA PUSLEY,AND PEANUTS TO THIOCARBAMATE HERBICIDES AS AFFECTED BY METHOD OF PLACEMENT IN SOIL*

Summary. Thiocarbamate herbicides were applied with incorporation devices and new subsurface application equipment on loamy sand at Tifton, Georgia, U.S.A. Subsurface-applied ethyl N,N-dipropylthiolcarbamate (EPTC), S-propyl bulylethylthiocarbamate (pebulate), and S-propyl dipropylthiocarbamate (vernolate) generally gave better control of Cyperus esculentus L. and Richardia scabra St Hil, but injured peanuts more than applications made on the soil surface and then incorporated into the soil. For soil incorporation, the power-driven rotary hoe was generally better than a disc harrow. Depth of subsurface placement critically affected herbicidal activity, especially on Cyperus esculentus; placement 1·5 in. below the soil surface gave more effective control than placement at 5·5 in. Réactions de Cyperus esculentus, de Richardia scabra et de l'arachide mix herbicides à base de thiocarbamate, en relation avec la methode de placement dans le sol     

THE CONTROL OF WEEDS IN POTATOES BY PREEMERGENCE APPLICATION OF HERBICIDES

Summary. Trials in 1959, 1960 and 1961 failed to show significant differences in yield between potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) of three varieties receiving from seven to nine separate tractnr cultivations and similar potatoes in which the weeds were well controlled by pre-emergence applications of a mixture of dinoseb(6.0 lb/ac)*and dalapon (2.5-5.0 lb/ac), With less effective herbicide treatments. including simazinc and 2,4-DES, there were significant reductions in yield.
Preliminary taint tests in 1959 on cooked tubers suggested that slight tainting might have been caused by one of the treatments, but tests on potato crisps made from the 1959 and 1960 crops were completely inconclusive. Tubers from all the treatments in the 1959 and 1960 trials sprouted normally in the spring after harvest.
Le désherbage des pommes de terre par des herbicides de pré-émergence     

除草剂二元混用的增效评价及配方控制的研究

作者介绍了除草剂二元混用的增效评价方法和配方控制的研究结果。参照型评价方法的比较研究指出,Colby 法、类 Colby 法(MSM)、双参数法、剂量换算法(ADM)和回归分析法均能不同程度地反应出除草剂混用的增效作用,其中类 Colby 法的准确性较差,剂量换算法和 Colby 法较好。Colby 法的优点是计算简单。微分法正确表达了除草剂相互作用的内在关系,在理论上更为正确,具有估价相互作用的性质、大小和来源以及控制最佳配方等多种功能。剂量—反应回归多项式可控制配方区间和最经济配比,这一控制方法的精度可满足统计学要求。