Influence of cow-dung amendment on glyphosate mobility in soil

Abstract

Sorption and desorption characteristics of glyphosate on native soil and soil amended with cow dung were investigated. Sorption was pH dependent and decreased with increasing pH. Glyphosate partition coefficient ranged from 275 to 16,200?L kg^?1 in native soil, but for soil amended with cow dung it was significantly lower, viz 180–1530?L kg^?1. Glyphosate partition coefficient showed strong negative correlation with cation exchange capacity and positive correlation with surface area. Phosphate in cow dung suppressed glyphosate sorption and enhanced desorption. This study revealed that cow-dung addition to soil could raise the mobility of glyphosate towards groundwater contamination due to the presence of phosphate.