DETECTION OF RESIDUAL LEVELS AFTER SOIL APPLIED HERBICIDES IN ESTABLISHED ALFALFA BY A BIOASSAY USING WHEAT.

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to detect the soil residues of metribuzin, imazethapyr and pronamide applied in established alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) stand by a bioassay using wheat (Triticum vulgare L.). Detection of herbicide residues was determined from soil samples collected from depths of 0-5, 5-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm. Most of the herbicides did not significantly affect studied parameters: plant density, height and fresh weight of wheat plants/container in any soil depth. Exception was pronamide, which significantly reduced wheat plant density, height and fresh weight of wheat at 10-20 and 20-30 cm depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]