Persistence of Chlorpyrifos in Soils under Different Moisture Regimes

Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphorus insecticide used to control insect pests in soil. The fate of chlorpyrifos in soils under different moisture regimes is of interest because application directions specify soil-surface treatments for a number of agricultural and urban pests. Chlorpyrifos was degraded rapidly in all air-dry soils and slightly more slowly in soils at field capacity and/or under submerged conditions. Degradation rates were influenced by clay-catalysed hydrolysis under air-dry conditions and neutral or alkaline hydrolysis under submerged conditions. Degradation was faster in Bellary soil (chromic haplustert) and slower in Chettalli soil (ustic palehumult) under all three moisture regimes. The calculated half-lives ranged from 1·6 to 10·0, 5·2 to 22·0 and 8·7 to 25·1 days under air-dry, field capacity and submergence respectively at an application rate of 10 mg kg^-1. © 1997 SCI.     

Persistence of pronamide in soil

Under field conditions, there was little loss of herbicidal activity following spring application of pronamide when the soil temperature remained below about 13°c, but under normal summer conditions loss was rapid (half-life 2–4 weeks). The rate of loss was retarded when the surface soil became very dry. After autumn application, there was no change in activity during the winter months and assays on samples taken in the following spring showed that little leaching had taken place from the surface 5 cm. In laboratory studies, breakdown was shown to follow first-order kinetics. Half-lives at 10% soil moisture were 29 days at 23°c, 63 days at 15°c and 140 days at 8°c. At 23°c the half-life was extended to 52 days when the soil moisture content was reduced by half.     

Pencycuron dissipation in soil: effect of application rate and soil conditions

Dissipation of the fungicide pencycuron was examined under controlled laboratory conditions in clay loam soils from rice cultivated fields of alluvial soil (Typic udifluvent) and coastal saline soil (Typic endoaquept) at field rate, twice the field rate and 10 times the field rate with and without decomposed cow manure maintained at 60% of maximum water-holding capacity (WHC) and waterlogged soil condition. The half-life values depended on the initial concentrations of pencycuron. Pencycuron, in general, degraded fastest in coastal saline soil and in soil amended with decomposed cow manure at 60% of maximum WHC of soil.     

Degradation of chlorsulfuron and triasulfuron in alkaline soils under laboratory conditions

The degradation of chlorsulfuron and triasulfuron was investigated in alkaline soils (pH 7.1–9.4) spiked at 40 μg a.i. kg^–1 under laboratory conditions at 25 °C and a moisture content corresponding to 70% field capacity (–33 kPa), using high-performance liquid chromatography. Degradation data for the two herbicides did not follow first-order kinetics, and observed DT₅₀ values in surface soils ranged from 19 to 42 days and from 3 to 24 days for chlorsulfuron and triasulfuron respectively. Disappearance of both chlorsulfuron and triasulfuron was faster in non-sterile than in sterile soil, demonstrating the importance of microbes in the breakdown process. The persistence of chlorsulfuron increased with increasing depth, which can be attributed to the decline in the microbial populations down the profile. The DT₅₀ value for chlorsulfuron at 30–40 cm depth was nearly four times higher than that in the top-soil. The results obtained show that persistence of these herbicides in alkaline surface soils at 25 °C and at a moisture content of 70% field capacity is similar to those reported in other European and North American soils. The study shows that if these herbicides are contained in surface soil layers, the risk of residue carry-over under southern Australian conditions is small. However, the rate of their degradation in alkaline subsoils is very slow, and under conditions conducive to leaching their prolonged persistence in the soil profile is possible.     

Persistence of the herbicide AC 92,553, N-(1-ethylpropyl)-2,6-dinitro-3,4-xylidine,in soils

The effects of soil temperature and soil moisture content on the rate of loss of N-(1-ethylpropyl)-2,6-dinitro-3,4-xylidine (I, AC 92,553) were measured under controlled conditions. The time for 50% disappearance in a sandy loam soil at 75% of field capacity was inversely related to temperature (98 days at 30°; 409 days at 10°). At 25°, the half-life increased with decreasing soil moisture content (122 days at 75% of field capacity; 563 days at 12.5%). In seven soils with different properties there was a trend towards a slower rate of loss as the organic matter content of the soils increased and the half-life varied from 72 to 172 days, first-order kinetics being obeyed. The herbicide was lost rapidly from an inert surface and 97% loss was recorded after 28 days at 25°. Losses from soil surfaces occurred more slowly and were greater from wet compared with dry soil. In the field, it was more persistent when incorporated than when applied to the soil surface. More than 60% of I incorporated in April 1975 could be detected the following September, but when applied to the soil surface, only about 20% of the applied dose remained by this time. Residues measured by gasliquid chromatography using a thermionic nitrogen detector closely paralleled those measured by a bioassay based on the root growth of buckwheat.     

Measured and computed concentration patterns of propyzamide in field soils

The persistence of propyzamide in soil was studied by analysing soil samples taken at intervals two or three times after application in the spring to experimental fields. Single samples were taken from other fields. 8 to 12 months after autumn application. The concentrations were measured by electron-capture gas chromatography. Persistence is expressed in first-order dissipation rate constants and half-life values. Data were measured and collected on the adsorption of propyzamide on soils, the soil characteristics and the weather conditions. Computations of the mobility of propyzamide in soil were carried out for simplified systems. Results of measurements and computations are compared.     

Persistence and biodegradation of vinclozolin in tropical rice soils

The persistence of vinclozolin in three tropical rice soils, widely varying in their physicochemical characteristics, was compared under both non-flooded and flooded conditions. Degradation of the fungicide was more rapid in all the soils under flooded conditions than under non-flooded conditions. Kinetic analysis indicated that the degradation of the fungicide followed a first-order reaction irrespective of soil or water regime. Soil acidity and salinity significantly affected the persistence of the fungicide under non-flooded conditions. The degradation of the dicarboxymide fungicide was enhanced following repeated applications to an alluvial soil under both water regimes, with the enhancement being more marked under flooded conditions. Faster degradation of vinclozolin in mineral salts medium inoculated with non-sterile suspension from retreated alluvial soil indicates the involvement of micro-organisms. 3,5-Dichloroaniline was detected as a metabolite in the degradation of the fungicide in both soil and mineral salts medium. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

A quantitative study of asulam persistence in soil

The persistence of the herbicide asulam was studied at different controlled temperature and moisture levels in Regina heavy clay. Degradation was rapid, approximating to first-order kinetics with a half-life of about 7 days, at temperatures in the range 20–35° and at moistures of above 50% of field capacity. At lower soil temperature and/or moisture regimes, breakdown was slower. The laboratory data were used in conjunction with the appropriate meteorological records in a computer program to simulate the degradation pattern for asulam in six separate microplot field studies carried out during May to November 1976. In three of the six experiments there was close correspondence between observed and predicted residue levels, but in the other three experiments, the model underestimated rates of loss.     

Residualwirkung von Chlortriazin-Herbiziden im Boden an drei rumänischen Standorten. I. Prognose der Persistenz von Simazin und Atrazin im Boden

Residual effects of chlorotriazine herbicides in soil at three Rumanian sites. I. Prediction of the persistence of simazine and atrazine Persistence of simazine and atrazine in the top 10 cm soil was measured at three sites in Rumania with variations in climate and soil conditions. Both herbicides were applied at 1 and 3 kg ai ha^?1 to uncropped plots and to plots cropped with maize (Zea mays L.). Rates of residue decline were independent of application rate and crop cover but varied between sites. The time for 50% loss of atrazine varied from 36 to 68 days and that of simazine from 48 to 70 days. Laboratory studies were made with atrazine to characterize degradation rates under standard conditions and to measure adsorption and leaching behaviour in the different soils. Weather records for the periods of the field experiments were used in conjunction with appropriate constants derived from the laboratory results, or from data in the literature, in a computer program to simulate persistence in the field. Results from the model were in reasonable agreement with the observed soil residues although there was a tendency to overestimate rates of loss on some occasions. The results suggest that the model of persistence was sufficiently accurate for practical purposes, and that its use could preclude the need for extensive analytical measurements of residues.     

EWRS Herbicide-Soil Working Group: Collaborative experiment on simazine persistence in soil

The effects of soil temperature and soil moisture content on the rate of simazine degradation were measured in the laboratory in soils from sixteen sites located in several different countries. First-order half-lives under standard incubation conditions were significantly correlated with clay content, organic carbon content and soil pH in a multiple linear regression. The temperature dependence of degradation was similar in the different soils whereas the moisture dependence showed considerable variation between soils. Persistence of simazine was also measured in the same soils in the field and at live additional sites. Weather records from the different sites for the periods of the Held experiments were used in conjunction with constants derived from the laboratory data in a computer program to simulate persistence in the field. In general, the model overestimated residues in the field. About half of the calculated residues were within 25% of those observed, an accuracy sufficient for practical purposes, but on several occasions the discrepancies between calculated and observed residues were greater than 50%. Possible reasons for the discrepancies and requirements for further experiments are discussed.     

Degradation of primisulfuron-methyl and metsulfuron-methyl in soil

A newly developed chemical assay was used to determine the degradation in soil of two sulfonylurea herbicides, primisulfuron-methyl and metsulfuron-methyl, under both controlled and field conditions. The results from the chemical assay were compared with those from traditional bio-assays for determination of persistence in the field. Phytotoxic effects of these herbicides were not observed after 6 weeks following application to an acidic (pH 5.7) soil with high organic matter content (7.3% o.c). Half-lives of 13 to 29 days were measured for primisulfuron-methyl at different soil-water contents and temperatures while those for metsulfuron-methyl ranged from 8 to 36 days. The rate of degradation of metsulfuron-methyl was more sensitive to temperature than that of primisulfuron-methyl. Persistence in the field was shorter than expected considering the results from the controlled environment studies. However, determination of the persistence by both chemical assay and bioassay methods produced very similar results.     

土壤环境因子对毒死蜱两种剂型持效性的影响

以暗黑鳃金龟Holotrichia parallela幼虫为生物试材,研究了含水量、温度和泥炭质量分数3种土壤环境因子对毒死蜱30%微囊悬浮剂(CS)和30%乳油(EC)持效性的影响。结果显示:在相同土壤介质环境下,毒死蜱乳油的持效期随土壤含水量的提高而缩短,同时土壤含水量的提高减缓了微囊悬浮剂囊内有效成分的释放;在土壤中其他影响因子相同时,土壤温度越高,毒死蜱微囊悬浮剂和乳油的持效期越短;土壤中的泥炭对毒死蜱的吸附作用使得其对暗黑鳃金龟幼虫的初始毒力降低,同时也延长了毒死蜱在土壤中的持效期。对于3种土壤环境因子的不同处理,除泥炭质量分数为1.0%的处理中毒死蜱微囊悬浮剂和乳油对暗黑鳃金龟幼虫的持效性相差不大外,其他各处理中毒死蜱微囊悬浮剂的持效性均优于乳油。     

Longevity of seeds of four annual grass and two dicotyledon weed species as related to placement in the soil and straw disposal technique

Persistence of seeds of the four winter annual grass species, Alopecurus myosuroides , Bromus sterilis , Bromus hordeaceus and Vulpia myuros , were studied under field conditions. The studies also included the two dicotyledon species, Tripleurospermum inodorum and Galium aparine . Seed samples were stored in the field at different depths in the plough layer for a year. Following germination, seedling emergence was taken as an indicator of field persistence. In a supplementary investigation, seed samples were placed on the soil surface or buried at 2 cm for a month and then tested for viability. Persistence of the two Bromus species was very short, irrespective of depth and duration of burial. Persistence of the other species was positively correlated with incorporation of seeds to a few centimetres depth. Increasing the depth of incorporation below 2 cm had a variable influence on persistence. Persistence of seeds placed directly on the soil surface was short, whether they were left there for a year or a month. Whether seeds at the soil surface were left uncovered or covered with chopped straw had limited influence on seed persistence. However, straw cover significantly increased persistence of A. myosuroides seeds and there was the same tendency with T. inodorum .     

The degradation of methazole in soil. I. Effects of soil type,soil temperature and soil moisture content

[¹⁴C]-Labelled methazole was incubated in six soils at 25°C and with soil moisture at field capacity. Under these conditions, methazole was unstable, the concentration declined following first-order kinetics with half-life values in the soils ranging from 2.3 to 5.0 days. The main degradation product was 1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-methylurea (DCPMU) which was more stable than the parent compound. After about 160 days, DCPMU accounted for 30 to 45% of the initial methazole concentration. Degradation of methazole and DCPMU was affected by soil temperature and moisture content. With methazole, half-lives in one soil at field capacity moisture content and temperatures of 25, 15 and 5°C were 3.5, 8.7 and 31.1 days respectively. The half-life at 25°C was increased to 5.0 days at 50% of field capacity and 9.6 days at 25% of field capacity. A proportion of the initial radioactivity added to the soil could not be extracted and this proportion increased with time. After 160 days this unextractable radioactivity accounted for up to 70% of the amount applied.     

Simulation of the persistence of atrazine in soil at different sites in Portugal

The effects of soil temperature and soil moisture content on the rates of degradation of atrazine, were measured in the laboratory in soils from different sites in Portugal. Persistence of atrazine was measured in the same soils in the field during the spring and summer of 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987. Weather records from the different sites, measured during the periods of the field experi ments, were used in conjunction with appropriate constants derived from the laboratory data in a computer program to simulate persistence in the field. The model generally overestimated the ob served soil residues, particularly during the first 7–14 days after application. The fit from the model was good from day 14 to the end of the experiments.     

Simulation of herbicide persistence in soil .III. Propyzamide in different soil types

The effects of soil temperature and soil moisture content on the rate of degradation of propyzamide in five soils were examined under controlled laboratory conditions. Half-lives in soils incubated at field capacity varied from 23 to 42 days at 25°C and from 63 to 112 days at 15°C. The variation in half-life at 25°C and 50% of field capacity was from 56 to 94 days. When the laboratory data were used in conjunction with the relevant meteorological records and soil properties in a computer simulation program, predicted degradation curves for propyzamide in four of the soils in micro-plots were in close agreement with those observed. Use of the program to predict residues of propyzamide in the fifth soil at crop maturity in a series of field experiments concerned with continuity of lettuce production gave values fairly close to those observed when appropriate corrections were made for initial recoveries.     

Influence of soil moisture on activity and persistence of the strigol analogue GR 24

Germination of Striga hermonthica (Del.) Bentth seeds in response to the strigol analogue GR 24 was strongly influenced by soil moisture prior to, at, or after, stimulation. Exposure of seeds to excessive soil moisture contents (70% w/w) during conditioning resulted in a low response to GR 24. Transfer of Seeds from soil at 70% moisture to a lower moisture level (47%) for 2 days or more improved the response to GR 24 (37–58% germination), white air-drying restored germination (88%). In Gezira soil the optimum soil moisture contents for maximum response to GR 24 were 44, 38 and 40% during conditioning, stimulation and germination, respectively. The corresponding figures for the sandy soil were 20, 22 and 22%, respectively. Persistence of GR 24 was similar in both soil types, but was strongly influenced by soil moisture content. The stimulant was stable in air-dry soil, but a rapid loss was encountered in moist soil.     

Persistence studies with [14C] 2,4-D in soils previously treated with herbicides and pesticides

The persistence of [¹⁴C] 2,4-D at a rate equivalent to 1 kg/ha was compared under laboratory conditions in samples of heavy clay, sandy loam, and clay loam at 85% of field capacity moisture and 20 ± 1°C which had either received no pre-treatment, or had been pre-treated for 7 days at the 2 μg/g level with the herbicides benzoylprop-ethyl, diclofop-methyl, dinitramine, flamprop-methyl, nitrofen, picloram, tri-allate, trifluralin, and a combination of tri-allate and trifluralin. The breakdown of [¹⁴C] 2,4-D was also studied in the same soils that had similarly received pre-treatments of 2 μg/g of the cereal seed dressing Vitaflo-DB, the insecticide, malathion, and a combination of Vitaflo-DB and malathion. In each soil type, the half-life of the 2,4-D was similar regardless of whether the soil had, or had not, received any pre-treatment, indicating that none of the chemicals investigated adversely affected the soil degradation of 2,4-D.     

Degradation of atrazine and isoproturon in surface and sub-surface soil materials undergoing different moisture and aeration conditions

The influence of different moisture and aeration conditions on the degradation of atrazine and isoproturon was investigated in environmental samples aseptically collected from surface and sub-surface zones of agricultural land. The materials were maintained at two moisture contents corresponding to just above field capacity or 90% of field capacity. Another two groups of samples were adjusted with water to above field capacity, and, at zero time, exposed to drying-rewetting cycles. Atrazine was more persistent (t(1/2) = 22-35 days) than isoproturon (t(1/2) = 5-17 days) in samples maintained at constant moisture conditions. The rate of degradation for both herbicides was higher in samples maintained at a moisture content of 90% of field capacity than in samples with higher moisture contents. The reduction in moisture content in samples undergoing desiccation from above field capacity to much lower than field capacity enhanced the degradation of isoproturon (t(1/2) = 9-12 days) but reduced the rate of atrazine degradation (t(1/2) = 23-35 days). This demonstrates the variability between different micro-organisms in their susceptibility to desiccation. Under anaerobic conditions generated in anaerobic jars, atrazine degraded much more rapidly than isoproturon in materials taken from three soil profiles (0-250 cm depth). It is suggested that some specific micro-organisms are able to survive and degrade herbicide under severe conditions of desiccation.     

Herbicidal and biological characteristics of a new benzenesulfonylurea compound K-11451 under submerged paddy conditions

The new benzenesulfonylurea K-11451, an α-hydroxy-β-fluoropropyl- compound, applied at 3–9 g ha ⁻¹, controlled annual and perennial weeds grown in submerged paddy soil under greenhouse conditions. It effectively controlled barnyardgrass at growth stages varying from pre-emergence to the five-leaf stage. The compound inhibited acetolactate synthase, I₅₀ values for the enzyme isolated from barnyardgrass and rice being 56 and 67 nM , respectively. K-11451 inhibited the growth of rice when it was transplanted at a shallow depth (0–1 cm) and water leaching from the paddy soil was high (3–5 cm per day). With a water depth of 3 cm, the compound appeared to move readily down into the paddy soil and had the relatively short half-life of 15.2 days under submerged paddy conditions. A mixture of K-11451 + mefenecet + daimuron (9 + 250 + 250 g ha⁻¹) controlled almost all weeds in the paddy field without injury to rice, so that the combination could be used as a ‘one-shot’ herbicide in rice culture.