Activities and degradation of several insecticides and herbicides in soils poised for enhanced carbamate and thiocarbamate degradation¹

Contribution from the Missouri Agriculture Experiment Station, Journal Series No. 10,680. Supported in part by NCRPIAP Project No. 271–2 (Interaction of Factors Associated with Microbial Degradation of Chemically Similar Insecticides and Herbicides).

Abstract

Field experiments on the performance and degradation of insecticides (carbofuran, cloethocarb, isophenfos and terbufos) and herbicides (alachlor, butylate and EPTC) were conducted in corn at two sites in 1984 and 1985. One site had a history of carbofuran failure and the other site had a history of reduced grass control with EPTC. The insecticides were evaluated for efficacy against larval corn rootworm, Diabrotica spp. Soil samples were analyzed for insecticidal activity by cricket bio‐assay and soil microbial counts for seven consecutive weeks from date of planting. Covariate analysis demonstrated significant differences among the slopes of various insecticide herbicide treatments for bacteria and fungi during 1984 and 1985 at both sites.

Keywords:

• Pesticide degradation
• microbial degradation
• insecticide‐herbicide combinations
• soil insecticides
• soil‐applied herbicides
• corn rootworm control

Notes

Contribution from the Missouri Agriculture Experiment Station, Journal Series No. 10,680. Supported in part by NCRPIAP Project No. 271–2 (Interaction of Factors Associated with Microbial Degradation of Chemically Similar Insecticides and Herbicides).

Present address: OARDC, Department of Entomology, Laboratory for Pest Control Application Technology, Wooster, OH 44691.