Field trials were conducted to evaluate the influence of three application methods and two types of ground cover on the transport of metolachlor and simazine from container-grown junipers. Application methods used were broadcast spray, broadcast granules, and individual container applications. Woven ground cloth and woven ground cloth plus gravel were used as ground covers. The site received daily irrigation, and surface runoff was sampled and analyzed 0, 1,2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 56 d after herbicide application. Application method had the greatest effect on herbicide concentrations in runoff. Herbicide application to individual containers resulted in lower simazine and metolachlor concentrations in runoff. Herbicide concentrations took longer to drop below detection levels in surface runoff from broadcast applications.

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This study was designed to determine whether differences existed in the amount of Derby (metolachlor and simazine) leached through four substrates used in container production. Substrate compositions (by vol) used in this study were 3:1 redwood bark:sand, 2:1:1 redwood bark:Yolo loam:sand, 3:1 pine bark:sand, and 1:1 composted hardwood bark:pine bark. Substrates were packed into #3 containers, and 4.5 kg ai/ha (4 lb ai/A) of metolachlor and 1.1 kg ai/ha (1 lb ai/A) of simazine were applied to the containers as a granular formulation. Containers were leached with 2.7 cm (1.06 in) of water per day, and leachate samples were collected 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 days after herbicide application. Both herbicides were detected in the redwood bark:sand leachate on the day of herbicide application, and concentrations increased over time but appeared to level off between day 8 and day 16. Metolachlor and simazine were detected in the redwood bark:Yolo loam:sand leachate 4 days after application, and concentrations of both herbicides increased over time. Metolachlor and simazine were detected in a few leachate samples from the hardwood bark:pine bark and pine bark:sand substrates. Substrate ranking based on the amount of herbicide lost was 3:1 redwood bark:sand >2:1:1 redwood bark:Yolo loam:sand >1:1 hardwood bark:pine bark >3:1 pine bark:sand.