Imidazolinone herbicides are widely used in rice for the control of major weeds. These herbicides behave as weak acids or bases, depending on the pH which may affect leaching. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of liming on imazethapyr and imazapyr leaching. Undisturbed soil samples (pH 4.8) were collected in a rice paddy field without history imidazolinone application. The soil columns, that constituted the experiment units, were collected using a soil extractor constituting. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, arranged in a factorial design, begin the factor A included of soil with natural pH and limed soil. Factor B was included the herbicides imazethapyr and imazapyr (all at 100g a.i. ha-1) applied to the surface of the soil columns. Factor C included of sampling depths at the end of the experiment to evaluate leaching (5 by 5cm). The results showed that enhanced pH cause by liming affect herbicide leaching in rice paddy soil. Soil liming enhance imazethapyr and imazapic leaching.
percolation; lime; environmental pollution; imidazolinones
