Influence of organic matter and pH on bentazone sorption in soils

Bentazone (3-isopropyl-1H-2,1,3-benzonthiadiazain-(4)3H-one 2,2-dioxide) is a postemergence herbicide which is used extensively worldwide, especially in China. The sorption of bentazone in various types of soils and extracted humic acids was investigated using a batch equilibration technique. Significant linearity was observed in sorption isotherms in five different types of soil, with distribution coefficients (K(d)) that varied between 0.140 and 0.321 mL g(-1). The distribution coefficient was determined to be a function of organic matter and pH in the soil. A model based on distribution coefficients was developed to predict bentazone sorption in soils. The organic matter-normalized partition coefficients for the neutral and anionic forms of bentazone were 370.3 and 2.40 mL g(-1), respectively. Hence, more attention should be given to the potential leaching problem when bentazone is applied in soils containing low organic matter and high pH.