Distribution and Persistence of 1,2-Dibromo-3-Chloropropane in Soil After Application By Injection and in Irrigation Water

Applications of 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) were made to mini-field plots of Yolo sandy loam by means of injection, flooding and sprinkler irrigation. Soil samples were removed at various depths and time intervals, processed to extract the chemical and the amount present determined by gas chromatography and correlated to the degree of kill of Meloidogyne incognita. Deepest penetration in soil occurred by injection. Application of water to injected plots moved the chemical deeper into the soil than no irrigation. In flood applications most of the chemical was retrained near the soil surface with only small quantities reaching a depths of 15 cm. Application by sprinkler resulted in shallow penetration. Excellent correlation between depths of chemical penetration and nematode kills were obtained.