The effect of plant-induced changes of pH upon the adsorption and phytotoxicity of s-triazlne herbicides

The effect of plant-induced changes of soluiion pH upon the adsorpiion of s-lriazme herbicides in either K-monimorillonite or Na - bentonite ciay-nutrieni suspensions and iheir phyioioxi- city in soil was studied. ln clay-NO₃^? suspensions (wiih NO₃- as the nitrogen source) maize planls (Zea may L.) caused a marked rise in solution pH and this resulted in a rapid descrp- tion of bound atrazine or simazine. in clay-NHa ⁺ suspensions (with NH4 ⁺ as the nitrogen source) the lowering of solution pH through plant aclivity resulted in jnereased adsorption of these herbicides. In soil, changes of rhizosphere pH were also found when either KNO₃ or (NH₄) ₂SO₄ were supplied as fertilizers, bul it was nol established whether ihis had a direct effeci upon the significant increase in weight of (NH₄)₂SO₄ treated wheat (Tri- ticum aestivum L.) planls at low herbicide concentrations compared with KNO₃ treated wheat plants.