Factors Influencing Microbial Degradation of14C-Glyphosate to14CO2in Soil

14C-glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] degradation to14CO2was examined in a Spinks sandy loam, Collamer silt loam, and a Norfolk loamy sand. After 32 days, 40, 9.5, and 3% of the14C-glyphosate was recovered as14CO2in the three soils, respectively. The degradation was primarily microbial. Phosphate additions stimulated14C-glyphosate degradation to a limited extent in the Collamer silt loam but not in the Norfolk loamy sand. Additions of Fe+++and Al+++ions reduced degradation in the Spinks sandy loam. It is postulated that formation of colloidal Fe and Al precipitates in modified soils with concomitant adsorption of14C-glyphosate is responsible for decreased availability of14C-glyphosate to microorganisms. Mn++additions were found to increase degradation. Spinks soil and carbon substrate amendments failed to substantially increase degradation rates in both soils with low degradation rates.