Influence of selected pesticides on the microbial degradation of 14C-triallate and 14C-diallate in soil.

Degradation in soil of [allyl-2-14C]triallate and [carbonyl-14C]diallate herbicides, as affected by other selected pesticides, was studied in an incubation system that allowed recovery of 95 to 100% of added 14C. The amount and sequence of pesticide additions simulated field use in the protection of wheat (triallate) and sugar beets (diallate). Neither the rate nor the pattern of triallate degradation in soil was influenced by the following sequence of formulated pesticides: dinoseb acetate, (bentazon + dichlorprop + 2,4,5-T), 2,4-D, (chlorcholinchloride + cholinchloride), tridemorph, and thiophanate. Similarly, diallate degradation was unaffected by pyrazon, dimethoate, and thiophanate. The effect of azinphosmethyl was unclear. In contrast, chlorpyrifos reduced diallate degradation by approximately 14% relative to the occurring in the insecticide's absence. This effect was caused by chlorpyrifos and not its formulation components. Chlorpyrifos was also found to partially inhibit degradation of triallate in soil. Inhibition of neither herbicide was considered to be of ecological significance. Triallate, diallate, and thiophanate were applied at 1 microgram/g; all others were at 2 microgram/g.