The route of degradation of 6-benzyladenine in aerobic conditions has been investigated at 20°C in four soils covering a range of characteristics (pH 4.4-7.4, OC 1.1-4.7%). A mix of two different radiolabelling positions (benzyl-labelled and purine-labelled) was used. [14C]-6-benzyladenine underwent rapid degradation and extensive mineralization to 14CO2 (max 67.8-86.6% AR after 120 days). The amount of 6-benzyladenine decreased rapidly to 0.61-1.74% AR after 32 days. Several minor products were detected, all less than 5% of AR. The rest of radioactivity was found as bound residues: they reached a maximum of 31.8-39.9% AR after 12/16 days, and decreased to 12.0-24.5% AR after 120 days. Investigation of the bound material, by organic matter fractionation, revealed that the humin fraction of soil contained the highest amounts of residues. An additionnal study on degradation of 6-benzyladenine was provided, but it was judged not acceptable. Degradation of 6-benzyladenine at 10°C was studied in the sandy loam soil. 6-benzyladenine decreased to 1.75% AR after 32 days. The same route of degradation as the one described above was observed.