Comparison of triticonazole dissipation after seed or soil treatment

This study examined the long-term fate of the fungicide triticonazole (TTZ; 5-(4-chlorophenyl)methylene]-2,2-dimethyl-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)cydopentanol) applied at a normal field dose (8.9 g ha(-1)) via seed treatment, which is the normal alternative in practice. The TTZ was applied to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grains as a disinfectant before sowing or spraying on bare soil for comparison and reference to the seed treatment. The seeds were germinated and grown in pots in a greenhouse at 22 +/- 3 degrees C. The dissipation of TTZ was studied by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the residues every fourth week until no TTZ could be detected. The recovery for analysis of TTZ in soil was between 98 and 131%, and the quantification level was 0.002 mg kg(-1). After 56 d of incubation, 20 and 28% of the TTZ applied remained in the soil and seed treatments, respectively, with corresponding half-lives of 27 and 29 d. The microbial biomass initially decreased in the soil treatment but had recovered after 56 d. The active part of the biomass was not changed during the experimental time. Thus, with respect to dissipation of TTZ and its effect on the soil microbial biomass and activity, no long-lasting difference between soil and seed treatments could be found.