Soil fumigation. I.—the sorption of ethylene dibromide by soils

Sorption of ethylene dibromide by soils is rapid, the greater part of the total amount sorbed being taken up within half an hour. Equilibrium was established by the end of 24 hours. Sorption isotherms on the air‐dried and moist soils have been plotted. Over the usual field range of moisture content the amount of ethylene dibromide held by the soil remains constant; the total amount sorbed increases slightly with increasing moisture content owing to solution of the fumigant in the soil water. In this range of moisture content the amount sorbed is proportional to the content of organic carbon of the soils. Very little evidence for any irreversible sorption or decomposition of ethylene dibromide by the soils has been found over the range 10‐25°.