Abstract
The effects of imazethapyr, an imidazolinone derivative on the soil microbial biomass was investigated in a clay loam soil. Imazethapyr was applied in a field trial at the recommended field rate for soybean weeding, 50 g a.i. ha-1. In laboratory experiments the herbicide was incorporated at the field rate and 10-fold and 100-fold higher. In both the field trials and the laboratory experiments, the field rate of imazethapyr had no adverse effects on the microbiological processes tested. But at 10-fold and 100-fold higher rates, the herbicide decreased the biomass-C content and dehydrogenase activity and increased the hydrolytic capacity and protease and catalase activity. These findings suggest that there may be a risk in monocultural practices that require repeated herbicide treatments.
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Research supported by National Research Council of Italy, Special Project RAISA, Subproject no. 2, Paper no. 1105
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Perucci, P., Scarponi, L. Effects of the herbicide imazethapyr on soil microbial biomass and various soil enzyme activities. Biol Fertil Soils 17, 237–240 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00336329
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00336329