Biodegradation Characteristics of Imazaquin and Imazethapyr

Abstract

The extent of 14 C-imazaquin and 14 C-imazethapyr abiotic vs. biotic degradation in soil was investigated. Degradation was measured in an in vitro system which allowed 90% recovery of applied herbicide. Triallate biodegradation is well documented and therefore used as a standard. Herbicide degradation was compared in two soils, a Cisne silt loam and a Drummer silty clay loam. Herbicide degradation in gamma-irradiated soil was compared to fresh soil. Biomass quantities were measured for the duration of the experiments. 14 CO 2 evolution, extractable parent, metabolites, and unextractable residue were measured. After 12 weeks of incubation, 95% of the radioactivity could be extracted as parent from sterilized soil. In unsterilized soil, imazaquin and imazethapyr degraded at a similar rate which was dependent upon soil type. All herbicides degraded slower in the Drummer soil and triallate degraded two to three times faster than the imidazolinones in either soil. 14 C-imazaquin degradation products included 14 CO 2 and unextractable residues. The major product from 14 C-imazethapyr degradation was 14 CO 2 . Evolution of 14 CO 2 from an imazethapyr-treated Cisne soil, containing a serial dilution of activated charcoal, demonstrated that adsorption of herbicide was negatively correlated with degradation. Therefore imidazolinone microbial degradation is regulated by the amount of herbicide in soil solution as determined by soil characteristics.