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Microbiological Decomposition of Atrazine and Diuron in Soil

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

L. L. McCormick
Affiliation:
Agronomy, Auburn University Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, Ala. Louisiana State University Extension Service, Baton Rouge 3, Louisiana
A. E. Hiltbold
Affiliation:
Soils, Agronomy and Soils Dept., Auburn University Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, Alabama
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Abstract

The relationship of atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine) and diuron [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea] decomposition to microbial activity in two soils was determined. Microbial responses to temperature, added energy material, and time were measured by evolution of CO2 from herbicide-treated soil samples. Evaluation of herbicide decomposition was made by bioassay and radioassay. Herbicide inactivation was directly related to metabolism of soil organic carbon. Larger amounts of herbicide were inactivated per unit of soil carbon metabolized in Norfolk loamy sand than in Decatur clay loam. This was associated with less soil specific surface and consequently greater concentration of herbicide on soil particle surfaces in Norfolk compared to Decatur soil. Addition of microbial energy sources accelerated decomposition of atrazine and diuron in both soils. Herbicide decomposition was closely associated with repeated additions of energy material, indicating an incidental or nonpreferential involvement in microbial metabolism. Decomposition of atrazine doubled with each 10-degree rise in temperature from 10 to 30 C, paralleling the response of soil organic matter decomposition. Diuron decomposition approximately tripled with each 10-degree rise in temperature.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1966 Weed Science Society of America 

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References

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