Persistence of chlorpyrifos in a mineral and an organic soil

Abstract

Chlorpyrifos (Lorsban^(R) emulsifiable concentrate) was applied at 3.4 kg AI/ha and incorporated into sand and muck soil contained in small field plots. Soil samples were taken at intervals over 2 yr. Radishes and carrots, seeded yearly, served as indicator crops for absorption of insecticide residues. Samples were extracted and analyzed, by gas‐liquid chromatography, for chlorpyrifos, oxychlorpyrifos, and 3,5,6‐trichloro‐2‐pyridinol. Chlorpyrifos residues declined rapidly, with 50% of the initial application remaining after 2 and 8 wk in sand and muck, respectively, and 4 and 9% after 1 yr. Pyridinol residues increased to 13 and 39% of the initial chlorpyrifos application in sand and muck after 1 and 8 wk, respectively, and declined thereafter. Oxychlorpyrifos was detected in the 2 soils at very low levels only in immediate posttreatment samples. In the first year of the study low levels (<0.1 ppm) of chlorpyrifos and the pyridinol were detected in radishes and carrots.