DEGRADATION AND METABOLISM OF MEXACARBATE IN TWO TYPES OF FOREST LITTERS UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS.

The degradation and metabolism of mexacarbate were studied in two types (sandy loam and clay loam) of sterile and nonsterile forest litters after incubation for 45 days under aerobic and submerged conditions. Degradation of the chemical in non-autoclaved litters was rapid initially and reached a maximum after 30 d. The rate of formation of **1**4CO//2 and the amount, the extractable metabolites produced and the nonextractable **1**4C adsorbed onto the litters varied depending on the litter type and experimental conditions. Litter microbes played a major role in the degradation of mexacarbate and formation of **1**4CO//2. The principal degradative pathway for the chemical appears to be N-demethylation, hydrolysis, ring-cleavage and eventual conjugation to litter matrix.