ADSORPTION AND DESORPTION OF SIMAZINE BY SOME ROTHAMSTED SOILS

Summary. The adsorption of simazine from, and subsequent desorption into, 0–01 M calcium chloride solution was investigated using twenty-three Rothamsted soil samples from sites differing greatly in cropping history and manurial treatment. Organic carbon content was the only factor related to the ability of the soils to sorb simazine; this accounted for 90% or more of the variation between soils Equilibrium was attained during adsorption in from fewer than 2 to more than 24 hr. Equilibrium during desorption was only occasionally attained within 24 hr. Differences between theoretically predicted and measured concentrations of simazine in solution following desorption were least for soils that attained equilibrium fastest during adsorption. Differences in adsorption and desorption kinetics between soils could not be related to soil pH, organic carbon content or cropping and manuring history. Comparisons of unlimed and limed soils suggested that no simnazine was lost by acid hydrolysis during the experiments.
Adsorption et désorption de la simazine par quelques sols de Rothamsted     

THE INFLUENCE OF IRRIGATION, FERTILIZING AND MCPA ON THE COMPETITION BETWEEN SPRING CEREALS AND WEEDS

Summary. The average air-dry yield of weeds on fallow plots was about four times as large (2660 kg/ha) as the yield of weeds which developed among spring cereal crops (740 kg/ha). Application of fertilizers increased the number of weeds and their average weight on both irrigated and non-irrigated plots. Treatment with MCPA reduced the weed yield to 36% on fallow plots and to 26% on weedy cereal plots. It was more effective on fertilized plots than on unfertilized plots, but irrigation made little difference to its effectiveness. The space left by the destroyed weeds was mainly occupied by Agropyron repens . Oats were better able to compete with weeds than were wheat and barley. On unfertilized and non-irrigated plots spraying with MCPA (1-26 kg/ha) at the beginning of shooting significantly reduced the yields of weed-free barley. The yields of sprayed oats and wheat were also below the yields from the unsprayed although the reductions were not significant at the 5% level. However, on a number of fertilized and irrigated plots, both weedy and hand-weeded , on which the plants had better growing conditions, MCPA resulted in a significant increase in the grain yield of barley and oats.
Influence de l'irrigation, de la fertilisation et du MCPA sur la compétition entre céréales de printemps et mauvaises herbes     

CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF TWO NEW HERBICIDES—IOXYNIL AND BROMOXYNIL

Summary. The preparation of ioxynil, bromoxynil, and their salts is described, and information on solubilities and stability to storage is summarized. Although the toxicology of the herbicides is to be reported in greater detail, a preliminary statement is made here. Evidence of herbicidat activity under glasshouse conditions is indicated briefly, and supports the conclusion that both compounds are effective when applied to the foliage of a wide range of dicotyledon weed species. Seedlings of some weed species resistant to the phenoxy alkanoic acids are controlled under glasshouse conditions at doses as low as 0.125 lb/ac, and ioxynil has a wider range of activity than bromoxynil at these low doses. Graminaceous species tolerate 4–8 lb/ac of both herbicides without injury, and certain leguminous crops tolerate one or other herbicide at doses of 0.5–0.75 lb/ac. The contact action of the herbicides is rapid, there are also slower systemic effects, and seed germination is inhibited. In susceptible species the level of post-emergence activity is shown to be influenced by the growth stage of the weed, the distribution of herbicide on the foliage, and environmental factors of which light intensity appears to be most important.
Propriétés chimiques et biologiques de deux nouveaux herbicides: ioxynil et bromoxynil