Persistence of Sulfonylureas in Pullman Clay Loam

Abstract

Persistence of chlorsulfuron and other sulfonylurea herbicides, measured by sorghum injury, was determined on a Pullman clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic family of Torrertic Paleustolls) with soil pH varying from 6.5 to 8.1 in a 3-yr winter wheat-sorghum-fallow crop rotation. As pH increased from 6.5 to 8.0, chlorsulfuron persistence increased greatly. With soil pH of 6.5, chlorsulfuron at 34 g ai/ha used on growing wheat did not injure sorghum planted 16 months later. If pH was 7.5 or above, chlorsulfuron persisted and injured sorghum planted within 25 months after herbicide application. Persistence of sulfometuron and metsulfuron was about the same as chlorsulfuron, all of which persisted longer than metribuzin applied at normal use rates. Four annual applications of chlorsulfuron at 71 g/ha did not accumulate when soil pH was 6.5.