Leaching behaviour of atrazine and metribuzin in different soil types

摘要

Maize and sugarcane are among the major crops cultivated in Salem district, Tamil Nadu. Major yield reduction under irrigated and rainfed ecosystem is due to severe infestation of weeds. To overcome this weed menace, farmers are using pre-emergence herbicides namely atrazine and metribuzin. Hence, persistence and mobility of these herbicides in different soil types needs to be studied in depth for better weed control efficiency and reducing the soil residual toxicity. Study on leaching potential would also helpful in assessing the efficacy of herbicides since the maximum weed seed bank deposition would be more in top soil surface (0-5 cm) and if the herbicides leach below this point then there is possibility of reduction in weed control efficiency.