Leaching of Oxyfluorfen in Container Media

Abstract

Bentgrass was used to bioassay oxyfluorfen in leaching experiments done in columns of soilless potting media and soils, with herbicide incorporated into the upper 2 to 4 cm. Depth of herbicide leaching increased in order in the following soils: peat and sand (1:1) mix, Stockton clay soil, Yolo fine sandy loam soil, and redwood bark and sand (3:1) mix. Depth of leaching was not related to soil organic matter content. Equilibration experiments showed that peat adsorbed 4 to 5 times more oxyfluorfen than redwood bark. Less leaching was observed in potting mixtures containing peat than bark. Raising the oxyfluorfen dose from 20 to 200 ppmw increased the depth of leaching and concentration of herbicide in the leachate, while a 10-fold increase in water volume had only a limited effect. Twenty ppmw of oxyfluorfen incorporated in the top of a peat-containing potting medium has a low risk of leaching out of the container.