Effects of Adding Organic Matter to a Red-Yellow Latosol in the Sorption and Desorption of Tebuthiuron

ABSTRACT: Tebuthiuron is one of the most widely used herbicides in the sugarcane culture and its characteristic is the long persistence in soil. When used without knowing its interactions with soil attributes, it can reduce the sustainability of cropping systems and contaminate surface and groundwaters. In this research, by using a high-performance liquid chromatography, the effects of adding organic matter in a Red-Yellow Latosol were evaluated, as for the sorption and desorption of tebuthiuron. It was concluded that there is a direct relation between the sorption of tebuthiuron and the organic matter content in Red-Yellow Latosols and there is an inverse relation for desorption. The hysteresis index was lower in samples with high organic matter content.