Persistence Pattern for Diuron and Linuron in Norfolk and Duplin Sandy Loam Soils

Abstract

Rates of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (diuron) up to 2.4 lb/A were applied as layby weed control treatments for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L., var. Coker 100-A) in association with 0.0 or 1.0 lb/A of diuron as a preemergence treatment. Soybeans (Glycine max L. Merr., var. Lee) were grown as an alternate year rotational crop or as a rotational crop after cotton had been grown 3 years under diuron treatment. Similar rotational systems were evaluated in which corn (Zea mays L., var. Coker 71), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L., var. NC-95 or NC-2326), wheat (Triticum sativum Lam., var. Wakeland), cotton, and peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L., var. NC-2) served as the rotational crops in place of soybeans. In this mixed crop rotation, herbicidal treatments were 1.0 lb/A of diuron applied as a preemergence treatment plus 0.6 or 1.2 lb/A of diuron or 1.2 lb/A of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxy-1-methylurea (linuron) applied as a layby treatment. Two soil types near Rocky Mount, North Carolina were used. Herbicidal residues were determined by bioassay analyses in the fourth year of the experiment and by evaluating crops grown in the years when no herbicides were applied. Diuron residues were greater on Duplin soil than on Norfolk soil, but residues on Duplin soil were less phytotoxic to crops than those on Norfolk soil. The higher organic matter content of Duplin soil (1.2 vs 0.6%) is cited to account for both of these observations. When diuron was applied to Norfolk soil as a preemergence treatment at 1.0 lb/A plus 0.6 lb/A as a layby treatment, the residues frequently injured wheat, peanuts, and tobacco grown subsequently. Soybeans sometimes were injured by this treatment, but corn and cotton tolerated it even when the layby rate was increased to 1.2 lb/A. At equal layby rates, linuron produced residues of less consequence than diuron. At the higher application rates, greater residues occurred following 3 years of application than where application had been on an alternate year basis.