Sorption of the nematicide fluensulfone in six UK arable soils – implications for control of the potato cyst nematode Globodera pallida

Abstract

Batch adsorption experiments were performed to determine the sorption of the nematicide fluensulfone as a technical-grade and a granular formulation (as Nimitz 15G) in six UK arable soils. The Freundlich and equilibrium sorption coefficients and , respectively, were generally low. and correlated positively with soil organic matter in all instances. The sorption kinetics was similar for both forms, but the was about four times lower for Nimitz 15G than the technical-grade, suggesting concentration dependency of fluensulfone sorption. The low sorption of fluensulfone across the soils indicates that partitioning of fluensulfone to the soil liquid phase may be unlimited. Therefore, substantial availability in the soil to be effective is likely. Sorption, therefore, may not limit fluensulfone efficacy. Nonetheless, these results call for cautious use of the nematicide because leaching is possible.