Abstract
The importance of pesticide degradation on the persistence and dynamics of phytosanitary products applied directly to the soil or reaching the soil following foliar spraying is discussed. The relative importance, rate, and mechanisms of action of abiotic (photolytic and chemical) and biotic processes of degradation in soils of different physico-chemical properties are considered, using flumetralin, isoproturon and thifensulfuron-methyl as examples. It is concluded that physico-chemical properties of soil have a significant effect on the chemical and biological processes of degradation, and thus play an important role in the persistence of pesticides in soil and on the identity of the degradation products. However, the breakdown of pesticides in soil has also been found to be related to climate and agronomic practices.5 ref.The importance of pesticide degradation on the persistence and dynamics of phytosanitary products applied directly to the soil or reaching the soil following foliar spraying is discussed. The relative importance, rate, and mechanisms of action of abiotic (photolytic and chemical) and biotic processes of degradation in soils of different physico-chemical properties are considered, using flumetralin, isoproturon and thifensulfuron-methyl as examples. It is concluded that physico-chemical properties of soil have a significant effect on the chemical and biological processes of degradation, and thus play an important role in the persistence of pesticides in soil and on the identity of the degradation products. However, the breakdown of pesticides in soil has also been found to be related to climate and agronomic practices.