Saltzman, S., Institute of Soils and Water, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel
Brates, N., Institute of Soils and Water, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel
Horowitz, M., Newe Ya'ar Experiment Station, Agricultural Research Organization, Haifa, Israel
Gevelberg, A., Newe Ya'ar Experiment Station, Agricultural Research Organization, Haifa, Israel

The efficiency of a photo‐oxidation procedure for the detoxication of water containing herbicides of the uracil group was tested by bioassay. Treated herbicide solutions were checked for their inhibiting effect on germination and photosynthesis in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). The treated solutions, and the main photodegradation products of bromacil and terbacil did not inhibit significantly either germination or seedling development at concentrations of up to 200 and 10 mg litre−1, respectively. Preliminary tests with industrial waste effluents containing added uracil compounds showed that these compounds were rendered non‐phytotoxic by the photo‐oxidation procedure. Copyright © 1982 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd