Analysis of nicosulfuron residues in maize field soil by high-performance liquid chromatography

Nicosulfuron is a sulfonylurea herbicide which is applied to control many grasses and broadleaf weed species in maize fields. Carryover or the persistence of nicosulfuron in soil can influence crops in succession even at low concentrations. An experiment was set up to investigate the persistence of nicosulfuron residual used in maize field soil at 80 and 160 active ingredient (ai)/ha application rates at 28 days after sowing to control weeds. The soil was analysed for nicosulfuron residues in surface and subsurface soil by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a photo diode array detector. Nicosulfuron residues were dissipated rapidly in the soil surface as compared to subsurface soil. The presence of residues found in the subsurface soil showed the mobility of nicosulfuron into lower layers. At 80 ai/ha, residues were not detected after 60 days. The half-live of nicosulfuron by HPLC was found to be at the range of 14-20 days at different doses and soil depths.