Leaching and Degradation ofdl-Strigol in Soil

Abstract

Leaching ofdl-strigol at six rates between 0.3 and 4.5 kg/ha through columns of sandy loam soil was estimated using a witchweed [Striga asiatica(L.) Kuntze # STRLU] germination bioassay. After 21 days of leaching daily with 1.27 cm of simulated rainfall, about 86% of the applied chemical remained in the top 2.5 cm of the soil, about 6% in the zone between 2.5 and 7.5 cm, and less than 1% in the soil at depths between 7.5 and 30 cm. However, even with the lowest rate of the chemical application, sufficientdl-strigol was leached to a soil depth between 22.5 and 30 cm to cause most, if not all, of the witchweed seeds to germinate. These results suggest thatdl-strigol has a potential for use as an effective tool for a witchweed control or eradication program. No significant degradation of the chemical occurred in moist soil during the 21-day period.