Dissipation and residue of 2,4-D isooctyl ester in wheat and soil.

A simple analytical method was developed to determine the 2,4-D isooctyl ester residue in wheat and soil by gas chromatography coupled with electron capture detector. Using the method, the dissipation and residue of 2,4-D isooctyl ester in wheat field was investigated. The average recoveries of 2,4-D isooctyl ester ranged from 80.1% to 110.0% with relative standard deviations of 2.4% to 16.1%. The pesticide showed a rapid dissipation rate either in wheat seedling or soil, with the half-lives of 1.0 to 3.0 days. The terminal residue results in wheat grain were much lower than the codex MRL (2.0 mg/kg). It could be considered safe to food and environment when using this herbicide for controlling weeds in wheat field.