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Factors affecting the decomposition of 2‐chloroethylphosphonic acid in soils
Author(s) -
GOUDEY J. S.,
SAINI H. S.,
SPENCER MARY S.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
plant, cell and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.646
H-Index - 200
eISSN - 1365-3040
pISSN - 0140-7791
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3040.1987.tb01616.x
Subject(s) - ethephon , ethylene , soil water , chemistry , decomposition , water content , germination , agronomy , moisture , horticulture , botany , organic chemistry , soil science , biology , environmental science , geology , geotechnical engineering , catalysis
The ethylene‐releasing compound 2‐chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethephon) stimulates germination of dormant seeds under laboratory conditions and it may prove to be an effective means of administering ethylene to promote germination of seeds in the field. We examined the decomposition of ethephon in different soils to determine which properties of soils influence the activity (ethylene release) of ethephon. The release of ethylene from ethephon was not affected by the type of soil, the texture, the presence of organic matter, or levels of extractable SO 2− 4 , PO 3− 4 NO − 3 , K + or Na + . The rate of decomposition was, however, dependent on soil pH and was influenced by the soil moisture content. Very little ethylene was released from ethephon in soils with a pH <7.7 and with a moisture content < 10%.