Delayed Incorporation of Trifluralin and Nitralin

Trifluralin (α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine) required more thorough soil incorporation with a disk, probably to prevent loss by volatility, than did 4-(methylsulfonyl)-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropylaniline (nitralin). Mechanical incorporation of nitralin could be delayed for 96 hr after application, whereas trifluralin needed to be incorporated within 24 hr to control weeds. Gas chromatographic analyses of soil showed that trifluralin decreased rapidly during the first 24 hr that incorporation was delayed. Application of trifluralin with undiluted crop oil on dry soil did not prolong the persistence prior to incorporation compared to applications with water.