The Influence of Terbufos on Primisulfuron Absorption and Fate in Corn (Zea mays)

Terbufos and primisulfuron interactions were evaluated under growth chamber conditions using a sand culture system. Terbufos was applied to transplanted corn seedlings, followed in 5 d by foliar applications of primisulfuron plus nonionic surfactant. Primisulfuron and terbufos alone did not cause corn injury; however, shoot dry weight and shoot length were reduced 28 and 36% in terbufos treatments 96 h after primisulfuron application. Primisulfuron absorption and translocation were not affected by terbufos, but the half-life of primisulfuron increased from 2 to 3.5 h in terbufos treatments. Terbufos did not affect primisulfuron metabolite profiles. The basis for increased primisulfuron phytotoxicity in terbufos treatments appeared to result from reduced primisulfuron metabolism.