Changes in the atrazine extractable residues in no-tilled Mollisols

The effect of application dose and soil organic matter (SOM) stratification on changes in atrazine (6-chloro-N2-ethyl-N4-isopropyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) extractable residues (ER) were investigated. Two soils [Entic Haplustoll (EH) and Typic Hapludoll (TH)] with contrasting SOM content and form and without previous atrazine exposure were selected. Sampling was carried out at two depths: 0–2 and 2–5 cm. Atrazine ER were measured at 0, 3, 7, 14, 28, and 56 days in laboratory incubation. Atrazine concentration recovered 1 h after of its application (Ct0) was used as an index of the soil capacity to reduce the atrazine extractable fraction. SOM stratification was studied by means of physical fractionation. In both soils, the higher OC concentration was found in the 200–2000 μm fraction (OCf 200–2000). Soils differed in terms of the OCf 50–200/OCf 200–2000 ratio. This ratio increased with depth in EH soil: 0.23 (0–2 cm) and 2.00 (2–5 cm). In TH soil, the ratio was 0.80 (0–2 cm) and 0.50 (2–5 cm). The t1/2 values ranged from 9 to 19 days, depending on soil type and atrazine application dose. The upper layer Ct0 and k were higher for higher atrazine doses. Implementation of a split application dose of atrazine may be an effective alternative to extend its half-life in soil solution, as well as involving a lower potential risk of soil accumulation or vertical movement in the soil profile towards deep soil layers and groundwater.