Adsorption of nicosulfuron herbicide in the agricultural soils of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

In this study, the sorption characteristics of nicosulfuron herbicide in soils from different agricultural regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as factors influencing the sorption process, were evaluated. The analysis was performed using a batch equilibrium method. The obtained results showed that soils in Bosnia and Herzegovina are very versatile in terms of their characteristics. The Freundlich adsorption coefficient (K<sub>f</sub>) coefficient ranged from 0.027 to 7.388, while the slope of the Freundlich isotherm (1/n) varied from 0.291 to 1.927. In soils with pH 4.31–7.60, 1/n was found to be less than 1 (0.337–0.547), and for the extremely alkaline soil with pH 8.2, 1/n was 1.927. Adsorption of nicosulfuron in the tested soils of Bosnia and Herzegovina was significantly correlated with the sand and silt content in the soil. Multiple linear regression correlating log K<sub>f</sub> with the sand and silt content in the studied soils was also statistically significant (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.951; P = 0.0108). The results of this study indicate that in sandy soils, which are slightly or moderately alkaline, the adsorption of nicosulfuron is very low and only a small amount of nicosulfuron will be adsorbed.