EFFECT OF SOIL ENVIRONMENTS ON THE LEACHING OF HERBICIDES

Abstract

Leaching behaviour of two herbicides namely diuron and metamitron has been investigated in clayey, silty and sandy soils with and without further addition of organic matter. Maximum leaching of both herbicides was found in unmodified sandy soil followed by silty soil and clayey soil,. Further addition of organic matter restricted the movement of herbicides to 15-18 cm depth of the soil columns. Degradation of both herbicides increased with the time passed. Under field conditions 20% diuron and 42% of metamitron was depleted more in the presence of chickpea crop as compared to fallow land.