Persistence and biodegradation of vinclozolin in tropical rice soils

The persistence of vinclozolin in three tropical rice soils, widely varying in their physicochemical characteristics, was compared under both non-flooded and flooded conditions. Degradation of the fungicide was more rapid in all the soils under flooded conditions than under non-flooded conditions. Kinetic analysis indicated that the degradation of the fungicide followed a first-order reaction irrespective of soil or water regime. Soil acidity and salinity significantly affected the persistence of the fungicide under non-flooded conditions. The degradation of the dicarboxymide fungicide was enhanced following repeated applications to an alluvial soil under both water regimes, with the enhancement being more marked under flooded conditions. Faster degradation of vinclozolin in mineral salts medium inoculated with non-sterile suspension from retreated alluvial soil indicates the involvement of micro-organisms. 3,5-Dichloroaniline was detected as a metabolite in the degradation of the fungicide in both soil and mineral salts medium.