HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Southwick, L. M. Articles by Selim, H. M. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Southwick, L. M. Articles by Selim, H. M. Agricola Articles by Southwick, L. M. Articles by Selim, H. M.

Leaching of Nitrate, Atrazine, and Metribuzin from Sugarcane in Southern Louisiana

USDA-ARS Soil and Water Research, P.O. Box 25071, Baton Rouge, LA 70894;

D. C. Johnson and H. M. Selim

Dep. of Agronomy, Louisiana Agric. Exp. Stn., Louisiana State Univ., Baton Rouge, LA 70803.

^* Corresponding author.

ABSTRACT

We have studied the leaching losses of NO₃, atrazine [6-chloro-N-ethyl-N'-(1-methylethyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine], and metribuzin [4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazine-5(4H)-one] applied to sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) planted in Mississippi River alluvial soil in southern Louisiana. Nitrogen (122 kg/ha) and atrazine (2.24 kg/ha) were applied in June, and atrazine (2.24 kg/ha) and metribuzin (1.12 kg/ha) were applied in December; losses through a Sharkey clay (very fine, montmorillonitic, nonacid, thermic Vertic Haplaquepts) into subsurface drains (5.5- and 10.9-m spacing) were measured for about 100 d in both seasons. Five days after application NO₃-N appeared in its highest concentrations (5–11 mg/L) in the drain water; after this first event, concentrations remained below 10 mg/L throughout the summer season. After application in the summer atrazine appeared in the subsurface drains at its highest seasonal concentrations (114–144 µg/L) on the day of application; after 4 to 7 wk these concentrations remained below 3.0 µg/L. Total losses in the summer amounted to 3 to 8% of the NO₃ application and 0.6 to 1.2% of the atrazine application. Almost 50% of the NO₃ leaching into the subsurface drains occurred after Day 76, whereas 82% of the atrazine leached into the drains by Day 8. After the winter application, high concentrations of atrazine (67–81 µg/L) and metribuzin (52–94 µg/L) were measured within 8 d. Similarly, large concentrations of atrazine occurred in the drain water throughout the winter season. The much higher concentrations of atrazine during the winter study, compared with the summer, coincided with soil surface concentrations that were 3 to 10 times those of the summer. Total losses during the winter were 0.4 to 2.0% (atrazine) and 0.4 to 1.7% (metribuzin) of the applications. Evidence for preferential flow into the drains of the NO₃ and the herbicides is presented.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. Yu, R. D. DeLaune, R. Tao, and R. L. Beine Nonpoint Source of Nutrients and Herbicides Associated with Sugarcane Production and Its Impact on Louisiana Coastal Water Quality J. Environ. Qual., October 23, 2008; 37(6): 2275 - 2283. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Boivin, J. Simunek, M. Schiavon, and M. Th. van Genuchten Comparison of Pesticide Transport Processes in Three Tile-Drained Field Soils Using HYDRUS-2D Vadose Zone J., June 21, 2006; 5(3): 838 - 849. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. M. Selim, L. Zhou, and H. Zhu Herbicide Retention in Soil as Affected by Sugarcane Mulch Residue J. Environ. Qual., July 1, 2003; 32(4): 1445 - 1454. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. M. Selim Retention and Runoff Losses of Atrazine and Metribuzin in Soil J. Environ. Qual., May 1, 2003; 32(3): 1058 - 1071. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. B. Jaynes, S. I. Ahmed, K.-J. S. Kung, and R. S. Kanwar Temporal Dynamics of Preferential Flow to a Subsurface Drain Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., September 1, 2001; 65(5): 1368 - 1376. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]