Foliar and Root Absorption of Atrazine Applied Postemergence to Giant Foxtail

Abstract

In growth chamber studies, high relative humidity and rewetting crystalline spray deposits of 2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine (atrazine) increased absorption by and phytotoxicity to giant foxtail (Setaria faberii Herrm.), but phytotoxicity was restricted to expanded (unrolled) leaves unless some atrazine was absorbed by the roots. Though phytotoxicity was increased by simulated rainfall when root absorption was prevented, an appreciable number of the plants were killed only when atrazine residues were washed into the soil. In field studies, atrazine applied to a wet soil surface was as effective as the same rate of atrazine foliarly applied. In other field experiments, atrazine applied to giant foxtail on a wet soil and followed by simulated rainfall reduced stand and dry weight, but on a dry soil and not followed by simulated rainfall, atrazine reduced dry weight less and did not reduce stand. These results are due to root absorption of atrazine from wet soil. Spray additives increased phytotoxicity.