Solute Transport in Eroded and Rehabilitated Prairie Landforms. 2. Reactive Solute

Abstract

The impact of varying soil, landscape, and climate conditions on the off-site transport of pesticides must be determined to develop improved pesticide management practices. This study quantified the rate of S-metolachlor dissipation after fall and spring application in eroded and rehabilitated landforms in which topsoil was moved from the lower slope to the upper slope. Fall-applied metolachlor provided no control of annual grasses because approximately 80% was removed from the root zone during the winter and early spring, presumably by leaching and runoff. S-Metolachlor dissipated in the spring with a DT(50) of 24-29 days. These results suggest that fall-applied metolachlor may not provide economic weed control and presents an increased risk of water contamination. Although landscape position and bulk soil movement within the landform had a large impact on soil properties, no significant differences in metolachlor dissipation between different landscape positions and between eroded and rehabilitated landforms were observed.