Effects of trifluralin and metabolites on the decomposition of selected substrates by soil microorganisms

Summary The effects of trifluralin and 12 of its soil-formed metabolites on the decomposition of radio-labelled glucose, protein and cellulose were determined, using ¹⁴CO₂ evolution from soil as a measure of decomposition. Trifluralin increased ¹⁴C-glucose mineralization rates, but these increases could be eliminated by adding N. Trifluralin had no inhibitory effect on the mineralization of protein or cellulose, but five of the metabolites inhibited glucose mineralization. None of the trifluralin metabolites affected protein mineralization. Seven trifluralin metabolites increased the rate of cellulose mineralization when applied at rates exceeding those that would be expected in soil. After considering the rate of metabolite application and the magnitude of the responses observed these compounds are expected to have no major effects on the microbial decomposition processes in soil.