Kentucky State University
Dimethazone, Napropamide, and Trifluralin Residues in Agricultural Soil
Institution
Kentucky State University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
George Antonious; Tejinder Kochhar
Abstract
Recycling sewage sludge as a soil amendment would reduce the need for sludge landfill disposal and the impact of disposal on environmental quality. A field study was conducted at Kentucky State University Research Farm. Eighteen plots were separated using metal borders and the soil in six plots was mixed with sewage sludge, six plots were mixed with yard waste compost, and six unamended plots were used for comparison purposes. The soil was sprayed with dimethazone, napropamide, and trifluralin herbicides. Runoff and infiltration water were collected following natural rainfall events and herbicide residues were quantified. The objectives of this investigation were to study 1) the impact of soil amendments on the amount of runoff water and infiltration water in the vadose zone and 2) the impact of soil amendments on herbicide mobility under field conditions. Significant concentrations of dimethazone residues were detected down the land slope following natural rainfall. Residues of trifluralin were significantly higher in sewage sludge treatments compared to yard waste and unamended soil. Napropamide residues in the vadose zone were 0.3 mg acre-1 in the NM treatment compared to 1.4 mg acre-1 in yard waste treatment. Addition of sewage sludge increased soil retention of trifluralin and napropamide residues, lowering their transport into rivers.
Dimethazone, Napropamide, and Trifluralin Residues in Agricultural Soil
Recycling sewage sludge as a soil amendment would reduce the need for sludge landfill disposal and the impact of disposal on environmental quality. A field study was conducted at Kentucky State University Research Farm. Eighteen plots were separated using metal borders and the soil in six plots was mixed with sewage sludge, six plots were mixed with yard waste compost, and six unamended plots were used for comparison purposes. The soil was sprayed with dimethazone, napropamide, and trifluralin herbicides. Runoff and infiltration water were collected following natural rainfall events and herbicide residues were quantified. The objectives of this investigation were to study 1) the impact of soil amendments on the amount of runoff water and infiltration water in the vadose zone and 2) the impact of soil amendments on herbicide mobility under field conditions. Significant concentrations of dimethazone residues were detected down the land slope following natural rainfall. Residues of trifluralin were significantly higher in sewage sludge treatments compared to yard waste and unamended soil. Napropamide residues in the vadose zone were 0.3 mg acre-1 in the NM treatment compared to 1.4 mg acre-1 in yard waste treatment. Addition of sewage sludge increased soil retention of trifluralin and napropamide residues, lowering their transport into rivers.