Persistence of metribuzin in aridisols as affected by various abiotic factors and its effect on soil enzymes

Herbicide degradation is one of the key processes determining whether use herbicide will have any impact on environmental quality, and it dependent various biotic abiotic factors. The present study evaluates factors such as soil type, application rate, incubation temperature, pH, microorganisms sunlight persistence metribuzin its effect enzymes. Half-lives (DT50) varied significantly with rate physicochemical properties ranged from 15.17 to 46.59 days. Metribuzin degraded 2.2 6.5 times slower in sterilised (DT50 = 35.21 115.60 days) compared unsterilised soil, indicating microbial most predominant contributors towards soil. Increase exposure indicated photodegradation also contributes metribuzin. Deaminometribuzin, diketometribuzin deaminodiketometribuzin metabolites were detected all treatments. Dehydrogenase alkaline phosphatase activities affected by while urease activity remained unaffected. viz. organic matter content temperature should be considered along order achieve satisfactory weed control reduce risk associated different crops.