Metribuzin degradation in soil: II—effects of tillage

A 140-day laboratory incubation, using surface soil from a long-term soybean tillage study, evaluated tillage influence on [¹⁴C]metribuzin degradation. Higher plant residue conditions in no-tillage (NT) soil inhibited metribuzin mineralization to [¹⁴C]carbon dioxide as compared to metribuzin degradation patterns observed in conventional tillage (CT) soil. At 140 days, relative abundance of extractable ¹⁴C components in NT included polar metabolites > metribuzin = deaminated metribuzin (DA) = deaminated diketometribuzin (DADK), while in CT, components included metribuzin > polar metabolites > DADK?DA. Conditions in NT apparently inhibited polar ¹⁴C degradation, and resulted in its accumulation, while in CT polar ¹⁴C degradation proceeded relatively rapidly. For both NT and CT, more ¹⁴ C was measured in an unextractable fraction than in any other fraction. A greater portion of the unextractable fraction in NT was associated with decomposed plant residue than in CT. Surface accumulation of crop residue, such as occurs under NT, provided a soil environment which altered metribuzin degradation patterns.     

Kinetics of linuron and metribuzin degradation in soil

The disappearance of linuron and metribuzin was studied during laboratory incubation of soil samples which had been taken from several depths at three sites, and treated with the pesticides. Temperature and water content of the soils were varied. There was a tendency for the rate of loss to be slower in soil taken from deeper horizons than in surface soil but the differences were not large. In only ten out of forty experiments did the value 1 for the apparent order of reaction fall within 95% confidence limits. In the remaining experiments the apparent reaction order was greater than 1 with eight values higher than 4. For one soil, the reaction order for linuron was markedly lower for incubation at 22°C compared with incubations at 10°C. The results could be explained on the basis that the systems were complex, involving consecutive or competing reactions. An alternative possibility is that the apparent complexities were artifacts brought about by the inherent limitations of the laboratory incubation system.     

Modeling hydrology, metribuzin degradation and metribuzin transport in macroporous tilled and no-till silt loam soil using RZWQM

Due to the complex nature of pesticide transport, process-based models can be difficult to use. For example, pesticide transport can be effected by macropore flow, and can be further complicated by sorption, desorption and degradation occurring at different rates in different soil compartments. We have used the Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM) to investigate these phenomena with field data that included two management conditions (till and no-till) and metribuzin concentrations in percolate, runoff and soil. Metribuzin degradation and transport were simulated using three pesticide sorption models available in RZWQM: (a) instantaneous equilibrium-only (EO); (b) equilibrium-kinetic (EK, includes sites with slow desorption and no degradation); (c) equilibrium-bound (EB, includes irreversibly bound sites with relatively slow degradation). Site-specific RZWQM input included water retention curves from four soil depths, saturated hydraulic conductivity from four soil depths and the metribuzin partition coefficient. The calibrated parameters were macropore radius, surface crust saturated hydraulic conductivity, kinetic parameters, irreversible binding parameters and metribuzin half-life. The results indicate that (1) simulated metribuzin persistence was more accurate using the EK (root mean square error, RMSE = 0.03 kg ha(-1)) and EB (RMSE = 0.03 kg ha(-1)) sorption models compared to the EO (RMSE = 0.08 kg ha(-1)) model because of slowing metribuzin degradation rate with time and (2) simulating macropore flow resulted in prediction of metribuzin transport in percolate over the simulation period within a factor of two of that observed using all three pesticide sorption models. Moreover, little difference in simulated daily transport was observed between the three pesticide sorption models, except that the EB model substantially under-predicted metribuzin transport in runoff and percolate >30 days after application when transported concentrations were relatively low. This suggests that when macropore flow and hydrology are accurately simulated, metribuzin transport in the field may be adequately simulated using a relatively simple, equilibrium-only pesticide model.     

Effects of microbial inhibitors on the degradation rates of metamitron,metazachlor and metribuzin in soil

Rates of carbon dioxide evolution and degradation rates of metamitron, metazachlor and metribuzin were measured in two soils in the presence of three microbial inhibitors. The nonselective microbial inhibitor sodium azide reduced both carbon dioxide evolution and the rate of loss of all three herbicides in both soils, although the reduction in degradation rate of metamitron was small. The antibacterial antibiotic novobiocin enhanced carbon dioxide evolution from both soils but had variable effects on the rates of herbicide degradation. It inhibited degradation of metazachlor and metribuzin, and in one of the soils its effects on metazachlor degradation were similar to those of sodium azide. Novobiocin inhibited degradation of metamitron to a small extent in one soil only. The antifungal antibiotic cycloheximide also enhanced carbon dioxide evolution from both soils. In general, its effects on herbicide degradation were similar to those of novobiocin, although the extent of inhibition was usually less pronounced. The results are discussed in terms of the relative involvement of microorganisms in degradation of the three herbicides.     

The influence of soil properties on the rates of degradation of metamitron,metazachlor and metribuzin

The rates of degradation of metamitron, metazachlor and metribuzin were measured in 12 mineral soils and the first order rate constants were compared with soil properties by regression analysis. Rates of metamitron degradation were best described by a multiple regression involving the silt content of the soil and the fraction of the total herbicide content which was available in the soil solution. Metazachlor degradation was best described by a multiple regression involving the sand content of the soil, the availability of the herbicide in the soil solution and soil microbial respiration. There was evidence that metribuzin degradation in any one soil was closely related to microbial activity, and rate constants per unit microbial respiration were derived for each soil. These rate constants were best described by a multiple regression involving the Freundlich adsorption constant and the sand content of the soils. The best regression equations for each herbicide were tested against observed degradation rates in an additional group of six soils. The calculated rates compared favourably with those observed for both metamitron and metazachlor, but with metribuzin, there was good agreement with one soil only.     

Field degradation of the herbicide metribuzin and its degradation products in a Manitoba sandy loam soil*

The degradation of the herbicide metribuzin (4-amino-6 r-butyl-3-(methylthio)-1, 2, 4-tnazin-5-(4H)one) applied at 1 and 2 kg/ha at times equivalent to pre-emergence (12 June), post-emergence (5 July), and pre-harvest (15 August), has been investigated in Almasippi very line sandy loam at Carman, Manitoba. Gas-liquid chromatographic analytical results showed that metribuzin degraded during the growing season, and that residue levels immediately prior to freeze-up (25 October) were in general less than 10% of applied metribuzin independent of application date, and were largely unchanged the following spring. The metabolites and photoproduct of metribuzin were present in maximum amounts near 13 July for the first two treatment dates, a time closely following maximum soil temperature readings, and these compounds in turn degraded almost completely by freeze-up. The following spring only very low levels were detected. Under the conditions described, metribuzin and its degradation products degraded to low levels and should not provide a carryover problem the next growing season.     

Cold storage degradation of the herbicide metribuzin in field soil samples awaiting analysis

In conjunction with a study of herbicide degradation in the field, metribuzin (4-amino-6-tert-butyl-4,5-dihydro-3-methylthio-l,2,4-triazin-5-one) was shown to be degraded at-37±5°C in soil samples awaiting analysis. Products of this degradation process include the known derivatives DADK (6-tert-butyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-l,2,4-triazine-3,5-dione) and DK (4-amino-6-tert-butyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-l,2,4-triazine-3,5-dione) and these products themselves have been shown to be degraded further under the same storage conditions. Loss of the herbicide can be approximated using half order kinetics with respect to metribuzin; however, loss of both previously identified metabolites is most rapid when metabolite concentrations are highest. Assuming half order kinetics, samples of Almasippi very fine sandy loam containing metribuzin (0.5 mg/kg) can be expected to lose 50% of the herbicide in 282 days at - 37°, a period which is short enough to affect residue analysis results significantly should samples be stored for extended lengths of time prior to analysis. Implied in these results is the desirability of immediate analysis following collection of samples; otherwise rates of loss during storage must be determined to allow adjustment of results to compensate for residue losses in samples awaiting analysis.     

大豆田土壤中氯嘧磺隆残留动态研究

采用高效液相色谱法对大豆田土壤中的氯嘧磺隆残留动态进行了研究。结果表明,氯嘧磺隆在大豆田土壤中的降解半衰期为7～10d,施药后60d其残留量为0．004mg／kg。     

Measurement and simulation of the movement and degradation of atrazine and metribuzin in a fallow soil

The movement and persistence of atrazine and metribuzin, in a sandy loam soil following application in spring, was simulated using two models. The first model, based on the physical laws describing water and solute movement and using measured values of soil hydraulic properties, underestimated herbicide mobility in the soil and predicted too rapid drying of the deeper soil layers. The accuracy of the simulations was improved by empirically reducing the measured hydraulic conductivities by a factor of 4. This probably reflects the difficulties of obtaining reliable measurements of soil hydraulic properties. A second and simpler model, which simulated water and herbicide movement using mobile and immobile water categories, accurately predicted soil water contents. It tended to underestimate herbicide movement at short times after application, and to overestimate movement later in the experiments. A comparison of different methods of simulating herbicide degradation showed that prediction of degradation rates in the field from laboratory data can be unsatisfactory with some compounds.     

Effect of temperature,organic amendment rate and moisture content on the degradation of 1,3‐dichloropropene in soil

1,3‐Dichloropropene (1,3‐D), which consists of two isomers, (Z)‐ and (E)‐1,3‐D, is considered to be a viable alternative to methyl bromide, but atmospheric emission of 1,3‐D is often associated with deterioration of air quality. To minimize environmental impacts of 1,3‐D, emission control strategies are in need of investigation. One approach to reduce 1,3‐D emissions is to accelerate its degradation by incorporating organic amendments into the soil surface. In this study, we investigated the ability of four organic amendments to enhance the rate of degradation of (Z)‐ and (E)‐1,3‐D in a sandy loam soil. Degradation of (Z)‐ and (E)‐1,3‐D was well described by first‐order kinetics, and rates of degradation for the two isomers were similar. Composted steer manure (SM) was the most reactive of the organic amendments tested. The half‐life of both the (Z)‐ and (E)‐isomers in unamended soil at 20 °C was 6.3 days; those in 5% SM‐amended soil were 1.8 and 1.9 days, respectively. At 40 °C, the half‐life of both isomers in 5% SM‐amended soil was 0.5 day. Activation energy values for amended soil at 2, 5 and 10% SM were 56.5, 53.4 and 64.5 kJ mol^?1, respectively. At 20 °C, the contribution of degradation from biological mechanisms was largest in soil amended with SM, but chemical mechanisms still accounted for more than 58% of the (Z)‐ and (E)‐1,3‐D degradation. The effect of temperature and amendment rate upon degradation should be considered when describing the fate and transport of 1,3‐D isomers in soil. Use of organic soil amendments appears to be a promising method to enhance fumigant degradation and reduce volatile emissions. Published in 2001 for SCI by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd     

Phytotoxicity and detoxification of metribuzin in dark-grown suspension cultures of soybean

Differential resistance of soybean to metribuzin (4-amino-6-t-butyl 3-(methylthio)-as-triazin-5(4H)-one) was demonstrated in cell suspensions from resistant and susceptible cultivars. Whereas the herbicide had been reported to inhibit photosynthesis, the observations on achlorophyllous, dark-grown cultures indicated that phytotoxicity was not restricted to photosynthesis. The sites of light-independent herbicide activity were not identified, but the presence of these sites was demonstrated in both the herbicide-susceptible and herbicide-resistant cells. The mechanism to protect these sites was present in all cultures. The mechanism, enzymatic detoxification of the herbicide, was inoperative in the susceptible cultures due to accumulation of a substance which inhibited the enzyme. Resistant cultures metabolized that substance to an ineffectual form. Metribuzin selectivity was therefore determined according to the accessibility of the inhibitor to the enzyme responsible for resistance.     

Biocompost from sugar distillery effluent: effect on metribuzin degradation, sorption and mobility

BACKGROUND: Metribuzin (4-amino-6-tert-butyl-4,5-dihydro-3-methylthio-1,2,4-triazin-5-one) is weakly sorbed in soils and therefore leaches easily to lower soil profiles and results in loss of activity. Soil amendments play an important role in the management of runoff and leaching losses of pesticides from agricultural fields. Therefore, the effect of biocompost from sugarcane distillery effluent on metribuzin degradation and mobility was studied in a sandy loam soil.RESULTS: Metribuzin was more persistent in biocompost-unamended (T-0) flooded soil (t(1/2) - 41.2 days) than in non-flooded (t(1/2) - 33.4 days) soil. Biocompost application at the rate of 2.5 and 5.0% (T-1 and T-2) in non-flooded soils increased metribuzin persistence, but no significant effect was observed on persistence in flooded soils. Freundlich adsorption constants (K(f)) for treatments T-0, T-1 and T-2 were 0.43, 0.64 and 1.13 respectively, suggesting that biocompost application caused increased metribuzin sorption. Leaching studies in packed soil columns indicated that biocompost application affected both metribuzin breakthrough time and maximum concentration in the leachate. Leaching losses of metribuzin were drastically reduced from 93% in control soil (T-0) to 65% (T-1) and 31% (T-2) in biocompost-amended soils.CONCLUSION: Biocompost from sugarcane distillery effluent can be used effectively to reduce downward mobility of metribuzin in low-organic-matter sandy loam soil. Copyright (c) 2008 Society of Chemical Industry.     

Alternate pathways of metribuzin metabolism in soybean: Formation of N-glucoside and homoglutathione conjugates

Metribuzin [4-amino-6-tert-butyl-3(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one] metabolism was studied in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. Tracy]. Pulse treatment studies with seedlings and excised mature leaves showed that [5-¹⁴C]metribuzin was absorbed rapidly and translocated acropetally. In seedlings, >97% of the root-absorbed ¹⁴C was present in foliar tissues after 24 hr. In excised leaves, 50–60% of the absorbed ¹⁴C remained as metribuzin 48 hr after pulse treatment, 12–20% was present as polar metabolites, and 20–30% was present as an insoluble residue. Metabolites were isolated by solvent partitioning, and were purified by adsorption, ion-exchange, thin-layer, and high-performance liquid chromatography. The major metabolite (I) was identified as a homoglutathione conjugate, 4-amino-6-tert-butyl-3-S-(γ-glutamyl-cysteinyl-β-alanine)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one. Metabolite identification was confirmed by qualitative analysis of amino acid hydrolysis products, fast atom bombardment (FAB), and chemical ionization (CI) mass spectrometry, and by comparison with a reference glutathione conjugate synthesized in vitro with a hepatic microsomal oxidase system from rat. Minor metabolites were identified as an intermediate N-glucoside conjugate (II), a malonyl N-glucoside conjugate (III), and 4-malonylamido-6-tert-butyl-1,2,4-triazin-3,5(2H,4H)-dione (N-malonyl DK, IV) by CI and FAB mass spectrometry. Alternative pathways of metribuzin metabolism are proposed.     

砜吡草唑与嗪草酮复配应用于大豆-玉米带状复合种植田的效果评价

为明确小麦Triticum aestivum田新型除草剂砜吡草唑与嗪草酮复配应用于大豆Glycine max-玉米Zea mays带状复合种植田的可行性,在温室内采用Gowing法测定砜吡草唑与嗪草酮复配的联合作用类型,并通过盆栽法测定两者复配制剂80%砜吡·嗪草酮水分散粒剂（water dispersiblegranule,WDG）的杂草防除谱以及对大豆和玉米的安全性。结果显示,砜吡草唑与嗪草酮复配防除禾本科杂草马唐Digitaria sanguinalis和稗Echinochloa oryzicola的联合作用类型属于增效作用;对阔叶杂草苘麻Abutilon theophrasti和龙葵Solanum nigrum的联合作用类型属于加成作用。80%砜吡·嗪草酮WDG对6种禾本科杂草马唐、稗、牛筋草Eleusine indica、狗尾草Setaira viridis、虎尾草Chloris virgata、大狗尾草Setaira faberii和4种阔叶杂草马齿苋Portulaca oleracea、青葙Celosia argentea、铁苋菜Acalypha australis、反枝苋Amaranthus retroflexus的防除效果均很好,其GR₅₀在6.1~21.6 g (a.i.)/hm²之间,GR₉₀在16.3~50.5 g (a.i.)/hm²之间,对苘麻和龙葵的防除效果略差,其GR₅₀分别为53.3 g (a.i.)/hm²和25.4 g (a.i.)/hm²,GR₉₀分别为282.1 g (a.i.)/hm²和96.7 g (a.i.)/hm²,低于其田间推荐剂量300~360 g (a.i.)/hm²,且该药剂对玉米和大豆的安全性都很高,在玉米与马唐、稗、牛筋草、马齿苋、青葙及铁苋菜这6种杂草之间的选择性指数均大于13.6,在大豆与这6种杂草之间的选择性指数均远大于28.5。表明砜吡草唑完全可与嗪草酮复配应用于大豆-玉米带状复合种植田的杂草防除。     

Deamination of metribuzin in tolerant and susceptible soybean (Glycine max) cultivars

The deamination of metribuzin was studied in vitro in peroxisomes isolated from the leaves of soybean cultivars which were either metribuzin tolerant, intermediate, or sensitive. The deamination rate observed with peroxisomes from tolerant leaves was about twice the rate observed with peroxisomes from sensitive leaves. The intermediate group was also intermediate with respect to the in-vitro deamination rate. Tolerant and sensitive intact soybean plants were pulse-labeled with [¹⁴C]metribuzin via the roots for 5 h. The extractable radioactivity in roots, stems and leaves was measured and separated into metabolites after the 5 h pulse and after an additional 24 h growth in water. The level of DA (deaminated metribuzin) was always significantly higher in the stems and leaves of tolerant soybean plants (4.8–10.0% of the extracted radioactivity) than in sensitive stems and leaves (1.8–2.9%). Conjugates were rapidly formed in tolerant as well as in sensitive soybean tissues. More conjugates were found in the tolerant cultivars, especially after the 5 + 24 h incubation time. Labeled [¹⁴C]DA fed to soybean plants via the roots was conjugated two to four times faster than [¹⁴C]metribuzin. Tolerant soybean tissue conjugated [¹⁴C] DA two to three times faster than sensitive tissue. The results are interpreted as showing that, in tolerant soybean plants, metribuzin is metabolized via deamination and subsequent conjugation, in addition to the well-known direct conjugation of metribuzin parent compound.     

Retention and degradation of metribuzin in sandy loam and clay soils of Lebanon

The retention and degradation of metribuzin herbicide were studied under two environmental conditions. Field studies were carried out on two soils, a sandy loam soil (soil A) and a clay soil (soil B). Metribuzin was applied with a jet sprayer at 1060 g a.i. ha^?1 and 1960 g a.i. ha^?1 on soils A and B respectively. Reconstituted soil columns were used to study the herbicide movement and metabolism in the two soils. Analyses of metribuzin and its metabolites were carried out using standardized methods. The results indicated a very weak capacity of adsorption of metribuzin in the two soils, and the weak adsorbed fraction is easily desorbed. Degradation and mobility of metribuzin in the field and laboratory soil columns were very intense and rapid. Soil A favoured reductive deamination whereas soil B favoured oxidative desulphuration and the respective metabolites deaminometribuzin and diketometribuzin yield the same product deaminodiketometribuzin. Both leaching by rainfall and degradation were important in the disappearance of metribuzin from the soils.     

沙地改良剂对土壤水分及燕麦产量和品质的影响

于2011年在内蒙古武川县研究了沙地改良剂对土壤水分及燕麦产量和品质的影响.结果表明,沙地改良剂能够明显提高0～60 cm土层土壤含水量,其中以12000 kg/hm2施用量效果最佳;施用量6000 kg/hm2、12000kg/hm2、18000 kg/hm2和24000 kg/hm2沙地改良剂土壤水分利用效率较对照分别显著提高了14.50％、25.70％、13.28％和5.86％;不同用量沙地改良剂处理较对照增产显著,当施用量为12000 kg/hm2时,燕麦籽粒产量和生物产量最高,达4884.4 kg/hm2和13001.3 kg/hm2,施用量为18000 kg/hm2时次之;沙地改良剂对燕麦籽粒粗蛋白、赖氨酸和β-葡聚糖含量影响显著,均以12000 kg/hm2施用量时效果较佳,施用量过大或过小都不利于燕麦品质的提高.     

Phytotoxic persistence and microbiological effects of metribuzin in different soils

The phytotoxic persistence and movement of metribuzin were studied by means of bioassays in sandy, clay and organic soils in Finland. The effects of metribuzin residues on soil micro-organisms were determined by assessment of nitrification and dehydrogenase activities. The phytotoxicity of metribuzin 0.7 kg a.i. ha^?1 persisted in the surface layer of 0–5 cm for one growing season in sandy and clay soils, but only for some weeks in organic soils. A double dose may cause phytotoxic effects on other crops during the next growing season. Phytotoxic residues were seldom detected below the 5 cm layer, although chemical analyses have revealed residues down to 25 cm in all soil types. Growth stimulation in the test plants was observed generally in the 5–25-cm layers of sandy and clay soils from the first to the second autumn after treatment. Inhibitory or stimulatory effects on microbial activity were found up to the second autumn in sandy and clay soils. At least the inhibition of nitrification in clay during the first autumn and the next spring would be critical. Persistance d'activité et effets microbiologiques de la metribuzine dans differents sols La persistance d'activité et le mouvement de la métribuzine ont étéétudiés dans des essais bio-logiques dans des sols sableux, argileux et organiques de Finlande; Les effets des résidus de métribuzine sur les microorganismes du sol ont été déterminés par l'évaluation de la nitrification et de l'activité de la deshydrogenase. L'activité de la métribuzine à 0,7 kg m.a. h^?1 a persisté dans la couche superficielle (0,5 cm) pendant une saison de croissance dans les sols sableux et argileux, mais seulement pendant quelques semaines dans les sols organiques. Une double dose peut causer des effets phytotoxiques sur d'autres cultures, la saison suivante. Des residus phytotoxiques ont été rarement détectés en dessous de 5 cm, bien que des analyses chimiques aient décelé généralement dans les couches 5–25 cm des sols sableux et argileux à partir du premier jusqu'au second automne après le traitement. Les effets inhibiteurs ou stimulant de l'activité microbiologique ont été trouvé jusqu'au 2éme automne dans les sols sableux et argileux. Au moins l'inhibition de la nitrification dans l'argile durant le premier automne et le printemps suivant serait critique. Die Persistenz der biologischen Aktivität und mikrobiologische Wirkungen von Metribuzin in verschiedenen Böden Die Inaktivierungszeiten und die Einwaschung von Metribuzin wurden mittels Biotests in Sand-, Ton- oder Humusböden untersucht. Der Einfluß von Metribuzin-Rückständen wurde durch Bes-timmung der Nitrifizierungsraten und der Dehy-drogenaseaktivität erfaßt. Die Phytotoxizitätvon 0,7 kg Metribuzin ha^?1 war in der obersten Bodenschicht von 0 bis 5 cm in Sand- und Tonböden über eine Vegetationsperiode, in Humusböden nur einige Wochen nachweisbar. Es wird unterstellt, daβ der doppelte Aufwand bei Nachbaukulturen zu phytotoxischen Schäden führt. Unterhalb 5 cm wurden kaum phytotoxische Schäden festgestellt, obwohl Rückstandsanalysen Gehalte bis in Tiefen von 25 cm in allen Bodenarten nachweisen lieβen. Biotests mit Bodenproben aus 5 bis 25 cm Tiefe zeigten in allen Fällen in Sand-sowie Tonböden im ersten und folgenden Herbst nach der Behandlung eine Stimulation des Wachstums der Testpflanzen. Ebenso konnten in diesen Proben sowohl hemmende als auch stimulierende Effekte auf die untersuchten microbiologischen Parameter festgestellt werden, wobei eine Hemmung der Nitrifikation in Tonböden zu mindest im ersten Herbst und folgenden Frühjahr als kritisch angesehen wurde.     

Interacting effects of soil degradation and precipitation on plant productivity in NE Patagonia,Argentina

Our objective was to examine the effects of inter-annual variation of precipitation on productivity of two dominant species (Chuquiraga avellanedae, an evergreen shrub, and Nassella tenuis, a perennial grass) in two communities of contrasting soil degradation: a herbaceous steppe with shrubs (HSS) and a degraded shrub steppe (SS). Data were collected during two consecutive years with different annual precipitation. Aboveground productivity was determined nondestructively using a double sampling approach. The number of inflorescences per plant was recorded too. Perennial grass productivity was lower in SS than in HSS in both years, while shrub productivity was lower in SS only during the year of below average precipitation. With rising precipitation the perennial grass increased the number of inflorescences while the evergreen shrub augmented vegetative biomass. In summary, the effects of precipitation on plant productivity are community dependent; abiotic factors, such as superficial and sub-superficial soil characteristics, and biotic factors, such as leaf area index (LAI) or tussock sizes, may interact to influence the responses of species to precipitation. Our results suggest that if precipitation increased, this would favor the dominance of shrubs over grasses.