Yarden, O., Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
Aharonson, N., Department of Chemistry of Pesticides and Natural Products, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
Katan, J., Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, 76100, Israel

Soils with a history of methyl benzimidazol-2-ylcarbamate (MBC) application, collected from various fields, showed increased MBC degradation rates. Low initial doses of MBC sufficed to condition soil, with no history of MBC application, to rapid degradation. Previous application of the fungicide was not the only means of inducing the phenomenon. Soil with MBC-treatment history, mixed with untreated soil, conditioned the entire soil volume to accelerated degradation. This capacity was maintained in the soil for over 2 yr without intermediate MBC application. The fungicide tetramethylthiuram disulfide slightly delayed accelerated degradation, whereas disinfestation, by fumigation with methyl bromide or soil solarization, greatly inhibited it. © 1987.