Effects of soil type, moisture content and organic amendment rate on dimethyl disulfide distribution and persistency in soil.

Understanding the distribution and persistence of the fumigant dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) under different soil conditions would contribute to a more environmentally sustainable use of this gas. We determined the effects of soil type, soil moisture content and soil organic amendment rate on DMDS distribution and persistency using soil columns in the laboratory. The peak concentrations of DMDS at 60 cm soil depth in sandy loam soil, black soil and red loam soil were 1.9 μg cm, 0.77 μg cm, 0.22 μg cm, respectively. The total soil residues of DMDS in sandy loam soil, black soil and red loam soil were 0.4, 1.3 and 1.3%, respectively. The peak concentrations of DMDS at 60 cm soil depth and the total soil residues of DMDS applied decreased from 3.2 μg cm to 0.9 μg cm and 3.3 to 0.5% when soil moisture content increased from 6 to 18%, respectively. Incremental increases (0-5%) in organic amendment rates decreased DMDS distribution through the soils and increased soil residues. Wait periods were required of 7, 21 and 21 days after polyethylene (PE) film was removed to reduce residues sufficiently for cucumber seed germination in sandy loam soil, black soil and red loam soil with 12% moisture content and 0% organic amendment rate, respectively. However, no wait period was required for successful cucumber seed germination in sandy loam soils (Beijing) with 6, 12 or 18% moisture content or organic amendment rates of 1 or 5%, respectively, but in commercial practice 7 days delay would be prudent. Our results indicated that soil type, soil moisture content and organic amendment rates significantly affected DMDS distribution, persistency and residues in soil. Those factors should be taken into consideration by farmers when determining the appropriate dose of DMDS that will control soil pests and diseases in commercially-produced crops.