Effect of Temperature, Moisture, and Soil Texture on DCPA Degradation

Turf managers sometimes experience poor or early loss of control of targeted weeds, even when herbicides are applied at recommended rates. This study was conducted to determine the influence of soil temperature and moisture on the rate of DCPA (dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate) degradation in soil. The effect of six soil temperatures, three soil moistures, and three soil textures on the degradation of DCPA was measured in the laboratory through HPLC analysis. Soil temperature influenced the rate of DCPA degradation in the following order: 10<<15<<20<25=30>35°C. The average half-life ranged from 92 d at 10°C to 18 d at 30°C. Soil moisture content influenced the rate of degradation in the following order: low (0.1 kg H₂O kg−¹ soil) medium (0.2 kg H₂O kg−¹ soil) = high (0.4 kg H₂O kg−¹ soil). The average half-life values of DCPA were 49, 33, and 31 d for the low, medium, and high soil moisture levels, respectively. A mathematical model of DCPA loss was utilized to determine the relative contribution of time, soil moisture, and soil temperature to the rate of degradation. Faster degradation of DCPA was observed from a sand/soil moisture (47.5:52.5, w/w) than from either a sand or a soil (Flanagan silt loam [fine, montmorillonitic, mesic Aquic Argiudoll]). It was concluded that the dissipation rate of DCPA is largely dependent on soil environmental conditions including soil temperature, soil moisture, soil texture, and the time interval since the application to the soil. Thus, it is suggested that soil environmental factors be considered in determining the timing of second or subsequent applications when necessary rather than following a fixed application schedul Contribution from the Dep. of Horticulture, Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This study was part of Project no. 65-267 of the Agric. Exp. Stn., Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.