ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the results of field and laboratory studies on the effects of paraquat and atrazine on soil arthropods. Springtails were subjected to diets in the laboratory that approximated field doses for paraquat and atrazine. In 1975 Chevron Chemical Company published a bulletin entitled, "Getting Started with No-till." In it, practical advice for using paraquat in no-tillage farming is presented. Starting on the day of hatching, individuals were fed yeast impregnated with either paraquat or atrazine. In the field, the standard concentrations are 600 mg/kg for paraquat and 500 mg/kg for atrazine. In cultures with 5000 mg/kg paraquat or atrazine, the individuals were smaller than in either of the controls or the other two concentrations. These results were obtained by continuous exposure to paraquat or atrazine after hatching. In no-tillage systems the role of the soil arthropods largely focuses on litter reduction. They feed upon microorganisms growing on the litter substrate.
