Effect of Simulated Rainfall on Leaching and Efficacy of Fenamiphos

Abstract

There is increasing concern in the United States about the pesticide movement in soil, groundwater contamination, and pesticide residue in food. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy, degradation, and movement of fenamiphos (Nemacur 15G) in the soil and residues in squash fruit as influenced by four simulated rainfall treatments (2.5 or 5.0 cm each applied 1 or 3 days after nematicide application) under field conditions. In 1990, concentrations of fenamiphos were greater in the top 15 cm of soil in plots with no rainfall than in those treated with rainfall. Eighty to 95 % of the fenamiphos recovered from treated plots was found in the 0-15-cm soil layer. The concentration of fenamiphos recovered from the 0-15-cm soil layer in 1991 was approximately one-half the concentration recovered in 1990, but greater concentrations of fenamiphos sulfoxide (an oxidation product of fenamiphos) were recovered in 1991 than in 1990. Concentrations of fenamiphos, fenamiphos sulfoxide, and fenamiphos sulfone were near or below detectable levels (0.002 mg/kg soil) below the 0-15-cm soil layer. Rainfall treatments did not affect the efficacy of the nematicide against Meloidogyne incognita race 1. The concentration of fenamiphos in squash fruit in 1991 was below the detectable level (0.01 mg/kg). Key words: Cucurbita pepo var. melopepo, degradation, efficacy, fenamiphos, leaching, Meloidogyne incognita, nematicide, nematode, pesticide residue, root-knot nematode, squash.