Behavior of aldicarb in soil relative to control of Heterodera schachtii

The adsorption characteristics of two soils for aldicarb sulfoxide were similar to that described by the Freundlich equation, The adsorption constant for the Holtville clay was 3.3, and that of the Buren silt loam, 0.34. Planting beds in a field of Holtville clay and another of Buren silt loam were side-dressed at 25 kg and 50 kg/ha 10% aldicarb (Temik 10G). Comparison of field measurements of aldicarb concentrations with previous laboratory determinations of aldicarb effects on Heterodera schachtii allowed predictions of soil zones in which hatching, infectivity, and orientation of males to females would be affected. Aldicarb in the soil water of Holtville clay sufficient to interfere with male orientation extended through most of the bed profile to a depth of 46 cm 1 week after the first irrigation. Orientation could be affected in only the top 20 cm of the bed 37 days after treatment and application of 712 mm of irrigation water. In Buren silt loam, disorientation of males was estimated to occur throughout the bed 42 days after treatment and 600 mm irrigation water. Aldicarb persisted in extensive areas of the bed at concentrations sufficient to prevent infection. In small areas of the profile, aldicarb sufficient to inhibit hatching persisted. Amounts of aldicarb in soil water samples obtained directly from beds agreed well with those from the analysis of the air dried soil samples.