ARS | Publication request: Enhanced s-triazine Degradation and Sugar Cane Weed Control Options

Submitted to: Popular Publication
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: December 15, 2009
Publication Date: February 26, 2010
Citation: Krutz, L.J., Shaner, D.L. 2010. Enhanced s-triazine Degradation and Sugar Cane Weed Control Options. Popular Publication, Crop Production Systems Research Unit, Fact Sheet 2010.

Technical Abstract: Soil borne bacteria on all continents except Antarctica have developed the ability to rapidly degrade the herbicide atrazine. Reduced residual weed control with atrazine in soils exhibiting enhanced degradation was confirmed under Mississippi Delta corn production and is expected to be occurring in other crops that rely on triazine herbicides for residual weed control, particularly sugar cane. This article describes the occurrence and physiochemical range of soils exhibiting enhanced atrazine degradation; identifies the impact of cultural practices on adaptation; confirms that sugar cane soils from Hawaii and Florida are adapted to symmetrical but not non-symmetrical triazine herbicides. These results indicate that enhanced atrazine degradation is likely widespread across the United States sugar cane belt and, therefore, reduced residual weed control may occur with symmetrical but not asymmetrical triazine herbicides.