Dissipation and Leaching of Pyroxasulfone and S-Metolachlor

Pyroxasulfone dissipation and mobility in the soil was evaluated and compared to S-metolachlor in 2009 and 2010 at two field sites in northern Colorado, on a Nunn fine clay loam, and Olney fine sandy loam soil. Pyroxasulfone dissipation half-life (DT50) values varied from 47 to 134 d, and those of S-metolachlor ranged from 39 to 63 d. Between years, herbicide DT50 values were similar under the Nunn fine clay loam soil. Under the Olney fine sandy loam soil, dissipation in 2009 was minimal under dry soil conditions. In 2010, under the Olney fine sandy loam soil, S-metolachlor and pyroxasulfone had half-lives of 39 and 47 d, respectively, but dissipation rates appeared to be influenced by movement of herbicides below 30 cm. Herbicide mobility was dependent on site-year conditions, in all site-years pyroxasulfone moved further downward in the soil profile compared to S-metolachlor.