Comparision of atrazine and metolachlor affinity for bermudagrass ( Cynodon dactylon L.) and two soils

Given that bermudagrass is being used as one of the grasses of choice in grass filter strip plantings as an acceptable grass to reduce off-target losses of herbicides, laboratory experiments were conducted to determine and compare the relative affinity of bermudagrass, a Weswood soil, and a Houston Black soil for atrazine (6-chloro- N-ethyl- N-isopropyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) and metolachlor (2-chloro- N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)- N-(2-methoxy-1-methyethyl) acetamide). Experiments were also conducted to determine if the presence of one herbicide affects the relative affinity of the other compound to these sorbents. The experiments were carried out using radiolabeled atrazine and metolachlor. Results were reported in disintegrations min(-1) (dpms) and converted to K(d) to determine and compare relative affinity. Both K(d) values for relative affinity of atrazine (86.2) and metolachlor (131.5) to bermudagrass were significantly greater than those of the two soils, Weswood (atrazine, 20.0 and metolachlor, 28.4) and Houston Black (atrazine, 35.8 and metolachlor, 33.5). The two compounds were also mixed together to mimic the common practice of applying atrazine and metolachlor simultaneously as a tank mix. Relative affinity of atrazine to any of the sorbents was not affected by the presence of metolachlor. Similarly, when comparing the affinity of metolachlor alone to that of metolachlor with atrazine present in the solution, no significant differences were observed for bermudagrass or the Weswood soil. However, on the Houston Black soil, the presence of atrazine significantly increased the soil's affinity for metolachlor.