Leaching behaviour of metsulfuron in two texturally different soils

Nowadays, herbicides are applied large ly in India, creating the need to evaluate potential leaching of herbicides. Thus leaching potential of metsulfuron in sandy loam and clay loam soils conditions was evaluated under laboratory conditions with simulated rainfall of 318-mm. Metsulfuron-methyl was applied at 4 and 8 g a.i. ha(-1) on soil columns, respectively. Maximum concentration of metsulfuron was recovered from 0-20 cm depths in both the soils. Results indicated high mobility of metsulfuron under continuous saturated moisture condition that may be significant in terms of ground water contamination.