Leaching Loss, Movement and Distribution of Carbofuran and Fenitrothion in Different Soil Columns

Studies on leaching losses, movement and distribution of carbofuran and fenitrothion in soil columns revealed that the leaching of both pesticides was more in coarse-textured red and laterite soils as compared to fine textured black and saline alkali soils. In saline alkali soil no loss occurred during first 18 h. The leaching loss of carbofuran and fenitrothion in different soils followed the order: red soils > laterite soil > black soil > saline alkali soil. Very low leaching loss of these pesticides in saline alkali soil was probably due to its low hydraulic conductivity (0.25 cm/ha) and/or its sorption to soil. Maximum amount of carbofuran aria fenitrothion was retained in the upper (0–7 cm) layer of soil columns particularly in black and saline alkali soils, while appreciable downward movement occurred (upto 18 cm) in red and laterite soils.