Release of soil bound (nonextractable) residues by various physiological groups of microorganisms.
Soil bound 14C-labeled residues were released by four different physiological groups of microorganisms from an organic soil treated with 14C-ring-labeled prometryn [2-(methylthio)-4,6-bis(isopropylamino)-s-triazine]. The extent to which the different microbial populations released bound 14C residues (25-30% of the total bound 14C) from the gamma-irradiated soil after 28 days incubation did not differ considerably. Analysis of the extractable material from the incubated soil showed the presence of small amounts of the parent compound, and its hydroxy and mono-N-dealkylated analogues. Low level of 14CO2 (1.5-3.0% of the total bound 14C) was evolved from the microbial systems indicating ring cleavage of the released material as being a very minor reaction.