The adsorption of picloram (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid) was determined on an Aiken silt loam, on three cation exchange resins and on a single anion exchange resin. Adsorption data were evaluated using parameters in the Freundlich equation and their dependance upon cationic composition of the exchange complex, the ionic composition of the equilibrium solution, and the equilibrium solution pH. For the Aiken soil saturated with metallic cations the order of decreasing picloram adsorptive capacity was Fe+3= Cu+2> Al+3> Zn+2> Ca+2> native soil. Increases in adsorption compared to the native Aiken soil could be explained on the basis of decreases in the equilibrium solution pH except for Fe+3, Zn+2, and especially the Cu+2treatments. The adsorptive capacity of the Aiken soil was altered by the addition of several salts simulating addition of fertilizer salts. The Cu+2and Zn+2salts were the only treatments showing increased adsorption which could not be explained readily by pH changes. KH2PO4and NH2CONH2(urea) reduced picloram adsorption. Dowex 50-1 × 4, a strongly acidic cation exchange resin, showed increased picloram adsorptive capacity in the order Cu+2> Al+3> Ca+2> Zn+2= H+. Cellex CM, a weakly acidic cellulose exchanger had increased adsorptive capacities in the order of Cu+2> Ca+2> Al+3> Na+> Fe+3> Zn+2. Picloram adsorption by an anion exchange resin at pH 6.1 was nearly 100%. These results suggest that complex formation of picloram with polyvalent cations on the exchange complex is likely especially for Cu+2and to a lesser extent Fe+3and Zn+2. In soils such complex reactions would most probably involve organic matter, polyvalent cations, and picloram. The formation of chelate ring species is proposed.
