Minimizing Herbicide Residues in Soil

Minimizing Herbicide Residues in Soil

A herbicide is said to be persistent when it may be found to exist in soil in its original form or closely related but active form for longer period or more than one crop season on after its application. Sometime herbicides are found to exist in the soil for longer period or more than one crop seas on. However, it is observed in few herbicides only. The sensitive crops in rotation are found to be damaged and in some cases it affects the stand and growth of the succeeding crop or it is completely damaged or lost. For example the application of atrazine and simazine in maize or sorghum cause toxicity to crops like Wheat, Soybean, cucumber, Cotton etc grown as next crop in rotation.

The extent and Duration of residual toxicity depends upon soil factors, environmental factors, microbial , activity, organic matter, tillage operation etc.