The controlled release of metribuzin [4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one] and alachlor [2-chloro-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)-N-(methoxymethyl)acetamide] from pine kraft lignin was studied using 14C-labeled herbicides and 3H-labeled lignin with soil thin-layer chromatography. NB-5203-58 series and PC940 series kraft lignins adsorbed and desorbed metribuzin as soil plates were developed with water. PC671, a formulated kraft lignin control release product, did not provide controlled release with metribuzin. NB-5203-58B and PC940C were the most effective of their respective series of kraft lignins. PC940C also provided controlled release of alachlor.

Bioassays with soybeans and lentils were used to compare the persistence of 2,4,5-T, triclopyr, and picloram in soil after applying 0.038, 0.38, and 3.8 kg ae/ha under field conditions. Soil samples were collected from 1 to 269 days after spraying and were kept frozen until growth room bioassays were conducted. Triclopyr was slightly less persistent than 2,4,5-T, but neither herbicide was biologically active during the next season. At least 90% of picloram disappeared within 7 months, but its biological activity was more persistent than that of either triclopyr or 2,4,5-T. Nine months after treatment, neither lentils nor soybeans could be grown in soil treated with picloram at 3.8 kg/ka. Triclopyr and 2,4-D had smiilar soil thin layer chromatographic mobilities in four different scils. Picloram was significantly more mobile than either triclopyr or 2,4,5-T, primarily due to its lower adsorption in the soils examined.