SIDE-EFFECTS OF THE HERBICIDE TRIASULFURON ON COLLEMBOLA UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

Triasulfuron, a member of the sulfonylureas class of herbicides, was t ested under laboratory conditions on the collembolan Onychiurus pseudo granulosus. Pure triasulfuron and commercial formulations at different rates (starting from a dose about 5 times the recommended agricultura l rate) were tested separately on one-week old juveniles and adults re ared in the laboratory. The persistence of the herbicide at the end of the trials lasting 30 and 60 days was verified by HPLC analysis. Labo ratory tests indicated that only the rates exceeding 500 times the soi l concentration expected soon after field application of the herbicide directly affected the tested species. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.