Monday, November 5, 2007
42-6

Effects of Endosulfan on Soil Respiration.

Ricardo Joseph1, Stewart Reed1, Cristina Clark-Cuadrado2, and Krishnaswamy Jayachandran2. (1) USDA-ARS, 13601 Old Cutler Road, Miami, FL 33158, (2) Environmental Sciences, Florida International University, Florida International University, 11200 S.W. 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199

Endosufan (6,7,8,9,10,10-hexachloro-1,5,5a,6,9,9a-hexahydro-6,9-methano-2,4,3-benzadioxathiepin 3-oxide) is commonly applied to agricultural crops as a insecticide. However, little is known about its effect on soil microorganisms. A study was conducted to assess the fate and transport of endosulfan with and without a buffer strip. This paper will report the effects of endosulfan on soil respiration. Moisture, temperature and CO2 production was measured in a bean field where endosulfan had been applied. Beans were grown in a 16.5 x 2.4 m field with a 2.0 slope emanating from the center. At the base of each slope were 4, 4.1 x 1.8 m plots. Half the plots were planted to switch grass and half were bare soil. Endosulfan was applied to bean area. Net CO2 production was measured weekly using an ADC LCA-4 analyzer. A Campbell Scientific CS616 Water Content Reflectometers was used to measure average soil moisture content between the surface and 30-cm depth. Soil temperature was measured with a Campbell CS107 temperature probes at 6 cm deep. The experimental design included 2 treatments, no endosulfan and endosulfan applied at 12.32 Kg ha-1 with four replications of each treatment. The collected data from both treatments was compared to determine the effects of the pesticide on the readings.