Field studies were conducted in 2014 and 2015 in Tennessee to examine pyroxasulfone dissipation under field conditions of winter wheat production. Three formulations were examined: (1) a single component active ingredient in an 85% dry flowable, (2) dry flowable formulation in combination of pyroxasulfone+flumioxazin, and (3) a liquid SC formulation of pyroxasulfone+carfentrazone. The liquid formulation is a suspo-emulsion. When averaged across the three studies, the DT 50 were 34.4, 30.2 and 29.9 d for pyroxasulfone plus carfentrazone, pyroxasulfone, and pyroxasulfone plus flumioxazin, respectively. These trends would indicate that formulation had little or no effect on pyroxasulfone dissipation in this experiment. Pyroxasulfone DT 50 in all studies ranged from a low of 15.4 d to a high of 53.3 d, and loss was more rapid under warm, moist conditions. These results indicate that pyroxasulfone would last long enough to provide residual weed control, but would not persist excessively to injure rotational crops.

Vegetable injury and yield loss has occurred when applying halosulfuron to low-density polyethylene mulch (LDPE) prior to transplanting. Research determined vegetable crop response to halosulfuron applied over LDPE mulch from 1 to 28 d prior to transplanting using (1) temperature effects in aqueous solution in laboratory experiments, (2) analytical evaluation of degradation from LDPE under field conditions, and (3) a field bioassay. Halosulfuron stability was evaluated on a thermal gradient table for temperatures at 10 to 42 C for 15 d. Half-life was inversely related to temperatures ranging from 38.5 d at 20 C to 3.2 d at 42 C, with little to no degradation at temperatures of 11 and 15 C. Analytical data indicated that the field half-life of halosulfuron at 26 or 52 g ha−1 applied to LDPE mulch under dry conditions was 2.6 and 2.8 d, respectively. Given the changes in the microclimate effects at the mulch surface by absorption of solar radiation, daily thermal energy quantified halosulfuron degradation (at the same rates) to be 51 and 55 MJ m−2, respectively. At 21 d after treatment (DAT), 90% of halosulfuron had dissipated from the mulch, with none detectable 35 DAT under dry conditions. When watermelon or yellow crookneck squash was transplanted into mulch previously treated with halosulfuron at 79 g ha−1, plant growth and development were equal to nontreated controls as long as there was a 14 d prior to transplant (DPT) interval accompanied by 13.5 cm of rain, or a 17 DPT interval accompanied by 6.2 cm of rain. However, at 79 g ha−1 applied at 9 or 1 DPT in 2013, and 1 DPT in 2014, halosulfuron injured yellow squash and reduced yield and fruit number. Halosulfuron at 79 g ha−1 applied 1 DPT significantly reduced watermelon yield in 2013, which was confirmed by vine length and plant biomass reductions in 2014. Halosulfuron POST controls Cyperus spp. in mulch vegetable production, but time and rainfall are required for dissipation to occur in order to prevent injury and yield loss.

Laboratory and field studies were conducted in 1988 through 1990 to determine the effect of soil pH on imazaquin adsorption and persistence in a Crosby silt loam (1.6% organic matter) and a Hoytville clay (3.3% organic matter). Above a pH of 6, 6 to 7% of the total imazaquin present was adsorbed to both soils. Adsorption increased as pH decreased from about 7 to 4.5, with a maximum of 16.5 and 31% adsorbed on Crosby and Hoytville soils, respectively. Imazaquin was more persistent in the Hoytville clay than in the Crosby silt loam. Herbicide dissipated more slowly in both soils in 1988 than in 1989 due to dry soil conditions immediately prior to and following herbicide application in 1988. In both soils, imazaquin persistence increased as soil pH decreased, over a pH range from 6.5 to 4.5. Increased persistence with decreasing pH was attributed in part to increased adsorption and decreased availability for microbial degradation.

Leaf washing was used to determine relative rates of uptake of 2,4-D and dicamba dimethylamine salts by wheat following field application of a postemergence tank mixture (3:1) of 476 g ae ha-1 at the 4- to 5-leaf growth stage. Foliar herbicide deposits and total acid residues in the crop were determined the day of spraying as well as 2 and 7 d after spraying. Leaf washing of foliage samples collected on the day of spraying indicated that the crop/weed canopy intercepted 51% of the application, and that dicamba was taken up more quickly than 2,4-D. Within a few hours of spraying, approximately 80% of the deposited dicamba and 65% of 2,4-D were taken up by the crop. A 35-mm rain during the first 48 h after application reduced plant surface deposits of both herbicides by more than 98%. During this 2-d period, dicamba residues within the crop were metabolized more quickly than those of 2,4-D. There was little difference in effectiveness among water, 10% methanol, 25% methanol, or 90% methanol in removing plant surface deposits of 2,4-D and dicamba from wheat.

Imazaquin movement in a field site that had Karnak silty clay soil was evaluated during a 2-yr study to determine if leaching was a significant dissipation mode for imazaquin. Imazaquin in water samples collected from subsurface tile drainage was measured by immunoassay. Total imazaquin losses due to leaching in 1993 were 0.8% of the total applied and in 1994, practically zero. Imazaquin concentrations as high as 80 μg L−1 were observed in drain water when rainfall occurred shortly after herbicide application. Imazaquin concentrations were lower with each successive drain flow event. Higher concentrations of imazaquin were associated with higher drainage flow, shortly after application. However, 40 d after application, the levels of imazaquin were low (<7 μg L−1) even when high tile flow occurred. The time between application and the first rainfall is an important factor in imazaquin leaching. In the dry growing season of 1994, imazaquin concentration in drain water did not exceed 5 μg L−1.

Experiments were conducted in 1985 and 1986 to determine and compare the efficacy, phytotoxicity, and soil persistence of imazquin, imazethapyr, and clomazone in no-till double-crop soybeans. All herbicides controlled 93% or greater jimsonweed, velvetleaf, and giant foxtail. Imazaquin and imazethapyr controlled more common cocklebur and ivyleaf morningglory than clomazone. Soybeans were injured from imazaquin and imazethapyr applications in 1986 but yields were not reduced. First-order kinetics described the dissipation of each herbicide. Imazaquin and imazethapyr were more persistent in the soil than clomazone. Averaged over both years, half-lives of 10, 43, and 60 days were calculated for clomazone, imazaquin, and imazethapyr, respectively. Clomazone was not detected 10 to 20 cm in the soil profile. More imazethapyr was detected 10 to 20 cm in the soil profile than imazaquin in 1985. Slight corn injury (≤10%) was observed in 1987 following previous year applications of imazaquin to no-till double-crop soybeans but corn yields were not reduced.

Experiments were conducted to monitor the dissipation of imazaquin and imazethapyr applied to the soil surface under conventional and no-tillage conditions. Imazaquin or imazethapyr dissipation rate was similar in no-tillage in 1985 and 1986. Dissipation of the herbicides under conventional tillage conditions varied. Imazaquin dissipation occurred 2.4 times faster in 1986 than in 1985. Imazethapyr dissipation was 3.5 times faster in 1986 than in 1985. Corn planted without tillage (no-till) was injured in 1986 where 210 or 280 g ha-1 of imazaquin or 105 g ha-1 of imazethapyr had been applied the previous year to conventionally tilled soybeans, but injury was not evident where these herbicides had been applied to no-tillage soybeans. Corn injury was evident 2 wk after planting in 1987 but yields were not reduced.

Weed control in reduced-tillage corn (Zea mays L. ‘Pioneer 3732′) with butylate [S-ethyl bis(2-methylpropyl) carbamothioate] and EPTC (S-ethyl dipropyl carbarnothioate) was not reduced when these herbicides were applied jointly with dry or liquid fertilizer. In most cases, application with fertilizer resulted in weed control similar to that observed when the herbicide was applied in water at 285 L/ha. Butylate applied as a granular formulation also gave weed control similar to the spray at 285 L/ha. Application in 95 L/ha of water consistently resulted in reduced weed control. Corn injury was not greatly influenced by application method, and differences in corn yield appeared to be due to differences in weed control. Growth chamber bioassays indicated that both butylate and EPTC dissipated more rapidly when applied in 95 L/ha of water than the other application methods, which may explain differences in weed control observed in the field.

Field studies were conducted in 1988 through 1990 to determine the effect of soil pH, over a 4.5 to 6.5 range, on imazethapyr persistence and on imazaquin and imazethapyr carryover to ‘Pioneer 3377’ corn in a Crosby silt loam (1.6% organic matter) and a Hoytville clay (3.3% organic matter). Imazethapyr appeared to be more persistent in Hoytville clay than in Crosby silt loam. In Crosby silt loam, imazethapyr persistence increased as pH decreased, whereas soil pH did not affect persistence in Hoytville clay. Imazaquin or imazethapyr did not affect corn grown the year following application to Crosby silt loam. Imazethapyr applied to Hoytville clay did not cause significant injury or yield reduction to corn. Carryover of imazaquin in Hoytville clay caused corn injury and yield reduction, increased as pH decreased, and was more evident at 280 g ai ha−1 than at 140 g ha−1.

The influence of fall (late September or late October)-applied dicamba (3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid) on spring-planted soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) was studied at five sites in Minnesota during 1983 and 1984. At the two southern Minnesota locations, only late-October applications of dicamba at the highest rate (4.5 kg ae/ha) reduced yields of spring-planted soybean and sunflower. At the central and the two northern Minnesota locations, both late-September and late-October applications of dicamba at 1.1 kg/ha and higher caused injury and yield reductions to soybean and sunflower planted the following year. The two southern Minnesota locations had generally higher levels of precipitation, higher temperatures, higher organic matter soils, and lower pH levels compared to the central and northern Minnesota locations. These climatic and soil characteristics reduced dicamba persistence at the two southern Minnesota locations.

Of 17 thiocarbamate herbicides tested in the greenhouse in repeat soil applications made 4 to 16 weeks apart, 9 showed definite losses in herbicidal activity after the second application. Those showing reduced activity included EPTC (S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate), vernolate (S-propyl dipropylthiocarbamate), and butylate (S-ethyl diisobutylthiocarbamate), which have been reported previously to develop accelerated breakdown, plus R-15574 (S-benzyl dipropylthiocarbamate and the sulfoxides of EPTC, vernolate, butylate, SC-7829 (S-propyl diisobutylthiocarbamate), and SC-8149 (S-butyl diisobutylthiocarbamate). Thiocarbamates that showed no significant reduction in activity after the second application were pebulate (S-propyl butylethylthiocarbamate), cycloate (S-ethyl N-ethylthiocyclohexanecarbamate), molinate (S-ethyl hexahydro-1H-azepine-1-carbothioate), R-1880 (S-ethyl dibutylthiocarbamate), R-1856 (S-tertiarybutyl dipropylthiocarbamate), R-1853 (S-isobutyl diethylthiocarbamate), R-1906 (S-butyl diisopropylthiocarbamate), and R-12001 [S-isopropyl 1-(5-ethyl-2-methyl)piperidine carbothioate]. Of 16 nonthiocarbamate herbicides tested, a reduction in control of weeds occurred after the second soil application with 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid], dalapon (2,2-dichloropropionic acid), chlorpropham (isopropyl m-chlorocarbanilate), propham (isopropyl carbanilate), TCA (trichloroacetic acid), pronamide [3,5-dichloro (N-1,1-dimethyl-2-propynyl)benzamide], napropamide [2-(α-naphthoxy)-N,N-diethylpropionamide], bensulide [O,O-diisopropyl phosphorodithioate S-ester with N-(2-mercaptoethyl)benzenesulfonamide], alachlor [2-chloro-2’,6’-diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl)acetanilide], and diethatyl [N-(chloroacetyl)-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)glycine]. Losses with the latter five herbicides after repeat application have not been reported previously.

Experiments were conducted in 1985 to 1987 to evaluate the effects of conventional and no-tillage systems on the weed control provided by clomazone applied preemergence in soybeans. The persistence of clomazone in soil of the two tillage systems was also determined. Increasing the clomazone rate from 0.8 to 1.4 kg/ha did not increase weed control. Clomazone controlled 80% or more of jimsonweed, velvetleaf, and giant foxtail. Common cocklebur control ranged from about 50 to 70% in no-till and from 80 to 90% in conventional tillage. Generally, soybean pods/plant and yields were lower from clomazone treatments than from handweeded treatments due to inadequate common cocklebur control. Over 40% of the clomazone applied did not reach the soil surface; it was either intercepted by wheat straw, volatilized, or both. Clomazone persisted longer in conventional tillage than in no-tillage in. However, in 1986, clomazone was equally persistent in the two tillage systems. The half-life of clomazone was 34 and 6 days in 1985 in conventional and no-tillage, respectively, and in 1986, 18 and 16 days in conventional and no-tillage, respectively. Significant clomazone concentrations were not found below 10 cm in the soil profile. Corn planted without tillage (no-till) approximately 1 yr after clomazone application was not injured and yields were not reduced due to prior clomazone use.

The influence of wheat straw cover, tillage, and irrigation on metribuzin and alachlor movement and dissipation in an Appling coarse sandy loam (Typic Hapludult) and the influence of soil depth on their rate of dissipation were measured in field and laboratory experiments conducted in 1987 and 1988. Overall, metribuzin moved more than alachlor in both years. Alachlor movement was greater in tilled plots compared to no-till plots in 1988. Metribuzin movement was greater in no-till plots in 1987. Straw cover had little effect on the movement of alachlor, but the presence of 2800 kg ha−1 of straw on the soil surface increased the downward movement of metribuzin in both years compared to soil with no straw cover. The rate of alachlor dissipation in the soil was faster in straw-covered and no-till plots in both years and in the high irrigation level in 1988. Metribuzin dissipation was not affected by any of these factors. Alachlor rate of dissipation did not differ among depths in the field; however, dissipation differed in the laboratory in the order 0 to 20 cm > 20 to 45 cm = 45 to 68 cm. Metribuzin dissipated faster at the 8-cm depth in the field compared to the 58-cm depth. In the laboratory, metribuzin dissipation rates followed the order 0 to 20 cm > 20 to 45 cm > 45 to 68 cm. At the greatest depth, the dissipation of metribuzin was faster in the field than in the laboratory.

Effects of tillage and herbicide application method on the persistence and residual activity of clomazone, imazaquin, and imazethapyr were investigated in a 2-yr field study. Herbicides were applied preemergence and preplant incorporated to conventional- and reduced-tillage soybeans in 1987 and 1988. Herbicide dissipation was monitored using chromatographic and bioassay techniques. In 1987, dissipation rates for clomazone, imazaquin, and imazethapyr were similar, regardless of tillage system or application method. In 1988, all three herbicides applied preplant incorporated dissipated more slowly than in preemergence treatments. Corn planted in rotation in 1989 displayed greater levels of injury in the incorporated treatments for all three herbicides. Although herbicide concentrations were similar 322 d following application in both tillage treatments in 1989, corn injury was greater with imazaquin and imazethapyr and less with clomazone in the reduced-tillage plots than in the conventional-tillage treatments.

The rates of degradation of metribuzin [4-amino-6-tert-butyl-3-(methylthio)-as-triazin-5(4H)-one] were determined in an untreated Portneuf silt loam, in soil with added organic amendments, and in soil previously treated with metribuzin. While first-order rate kinetics generally described the degradation of the metribuzin in the soil, a quadratic expression was superior. Organic amendments were found to inhibit or accelerate the rate of breakdown of metribuzin depending upon the kind of amendment. Neither a lag phase nor an enrichment was observed from prior treatment with metribuzin.

The methyl ester of diclofop {2-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxy] propanoic acid} applied at 0.8 to 1.4 kg ai/ha and incorporated prior to seeding winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) controlled downy brome (Bromus tectorum L. ♯ BROTE) better than when applied preemergence at 1.7 kg/ha in 2 of 4 yr. The emulsifiable concentrate and a granular formulation of diclofop performed similarly. Controlling downy brome improved wheat yields 3 of 4 yr. However, preplant-incorporated applications of diclofop at 1.4 kg/ha reduced wheat yield 1 of 4 yr. Greenhouse data indicated that diclofop dissipated more rapidly in moist soil than in air-dry soil.

Sulfonylurea herbicides used in turfgrass—including chlorsulfuron, flazasulfuron, foramsulfuron, halosulfuron, metsulfuron, rimsulfuron, sulfometuron, sulfosulfuron, and trifloxysulfuron—are all weak acids, with disassociation constants ranging from 3.3 to 5.2. Sulfonylureas are used at low rates ranging from 4 to 280 g ha−1. Although these use rates put their soil concentration in parts per billion, they still have residual activity with variable persistence. They have limited susceptibility to soil leaching with weak adsorption to soil clay minerals. Sulfonylurea herbicides used in turfgrass have variable soil organic matter adsorption, which is soil dependent. The persistence and activity of these sulfonylureas are affected by soil pH. At soil pH of 7.0 and greater, some of these sulfonylurea herbicides tend to persist for longer periods with half-lives extending into years rather than days. In normal use patterns with soil pH of 7.0 and less, dissipation occurs via chemical hydrolysis and microbial degradation with half-lives ranging from days to months. Overall, sulfonylurea herbicide adsorption is negatively correlated to increasing pH (increased persistence) and positively correlated to increased organic matter (decreased activity).

Field studies were conducted to examine the dissipation of three soil-applied residual herbicides for bare soil compared with soil under low-density polyethylene (LDPE) mulch in 2003 and 2004. Studies indicated that halosulfuron and S-metolachlor dissipation was more rapid for bare soil than soil under LDPE mulch. Sulfentrazone dissipation from bare soil was equal to soil under LDPE mulch in 2003. However, sulfentrazone dissipation in 2004 was more rapid for soil under LDPE mulch than for bare soil. The order for half-life, defined as time for 50% dissipation (DT50), varied by herbicide and soil exposure. Averaged across 2003 and 2004, metolachlor DT50 was 2 d, halosulfuron 7 d, and sulfentrazone 16 d for bare soil. S-metolachlor DT50 was 4 d, halosulfuron 10 d, and sulfentrazone 13 d for soil under LDPE mulch. Correlation between quantified herbicide dissipation and bioassay for bare soil compared with soil under LDPE mulch in 2004 indicated that assay species root dry weights were negatively correlated with herbicide concentration. Data indicated that S-metolachlor and sulfentrazone bioassays, with oat and cotton, respectively, could be used to assess the level of dissipation for each herbicide.

Field and laboratory studies were conducted to examine herbicide dissipation when applied to low density polyethylene (LDPE) mulch for dry scenarios vs. irrigation. Analytical chemical analysis was used for quantification. In field studies, halosulfuron, paraquat, carfentrazone, glyphosate, and flumioxazin were surface applied to black 32-μm-thick (1.25 mil) LDPE mulch. LDPE mulch harvest began 1 h after treatment (HAT) then continued every 24 h for five consecutive rain-free days after treatment (DAT) to determine the level of herbicide dissipation from the LDPE mulch surface. In a related study, treated LDPE mulch was harvested 1 HAT, then sprinkler irrigation was applied, followed by a sampling five HAT, then the same irrigation and sampling procedure was repeated every 24 h for five consecutive DAT. The order for half-life, as defined as time for 50% dissipation (DT50), varied by herbicide and method of dissipation for dry and irrigated studies. Data indicated that glyphosate and paraquat dissipation was rapid following irrigation. Glyphosate and paraquat DT50 were both 1 h in the irrigated study, but 84 and 32 h for the dry scenario, respectively. This indicated that glyphosate and paraquat could be removed from LDPE mulch with rainfall or irrigation, primarily due to their high water solubility. Halosulfuron and flumioxazin DT50 were 3 and 6 h in the irrigated study, and 18 and 57 h for the dry study, respectively. Carfentrazone DT50 was similar at 28 and 30 h for the irrigated and dry studies, respectively. This indicated that carfentrazone was adsorbed to the LDPE mulch, and irrigation water did not remove it from the LDPE mulch. Results from 14C-herbicide laboratory studies were similar to those from field studies for halosulfuron, glyphosate, paraquat, and flumioxazin.

Clopyralid, picloram, triclopyr, metsulfuron, and tebuthiuron were applied to control kudzu on four loblolly pine forest regeneration sites during July 1997. Spot treatments were applied to recovering kudzu in June 1998 and June 1999. Soil leachate was monitored for these five herbicides from July 1997 to December 2000. All herbicides were detected in shallow (51–58 cm deep) and deep lysimeters (84–109 cm deep). Clopyralid was not persistent and limited leaching occurred, with residue levels of 0.4 to 2.8 μg L−1 in 12 of 102 deep lysimeter samples. Picloram was mobile and persisted at 0.6 to 2.5 μg L−1 in shallow and deep lysimeters for at least 10 mo after the initial application. Triclopyr residues were not persistent in shallow lysimeters and remained < 6 μg L−1 during the study. Metsulfuron persisted at < 0.1 μg L−1 for 182 to 353 d in shallow lysimeters and at < 0.07 μg L−1 for 182 to 300 d in the deep lysimeters in various plots. Tebuthiuron peaks in the deep lysimeters ranged from 69 to 734 μg L−1 34 to 77 d after the first spot treatment. In the soil that was essentially a fill area, tebuthiuron residues remained > 400 μg L−1 (402–1,660 μg L−1) in the shallow lysimeter samples and > 180 μg L−1 (181–734 μg L−1) in the deep lysimeters throughout a 354-d period that followed the first spot application. When used as part of a forest regeneration program, the relative potentials of the herbicides to move into shallow groundwater were: tebuthiuron > picloram > metsulfuron > clopyralid > triclopyr.