Dissipation and Phytotoxicity of Dicamba

Abstract

Dissipation of 2-methoxy-3,6-dichlorobenzoic acid (dicamba) was greater in Sharpsburg silty clay loam soil than in Anselmo sandy loam soil and was faster in the topsoil than in the subsoil. Breakdown increased with increasing soil incubation temperatures. Phytotoxicity of dicamba and 3-amino-2,5-dichlorobenzoic acid (amiben) in aqueous solutions decreased upon exposure to sunlight. Amiben was more susceptible to photodecomposition than was dicamba. Aqueous dicamba solutions exposed to sunlight for 16 days decreased growth of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings, while amiben solutions caused no growth reduction after 2 days' sunlight exposure. Dicamba solutions exposed to 60 C showed increased phytotoxicity while amiben solutions were unaffected. Dicamba was most phytotoxic to corn (Zea mays L.) seedlings at pH 4 and to cucumber seedlings at pH 5. Dicamba solutions were taken up by both shoots and roots of corn and cucumber seedlings; however, root uptake resulted in greater growth reductions.