Documenting the pesticide processes module of the ARS RZWQM agroecosystem model

We describe the theory and current development state of the pesticide process module of the USDA-Agricultural Research Service Root Zone Water Quality Model, or RZWQM. Several processes which are significant in determining the fate of a pesticide application are included together in this module for the first time, including application technique, root uptake, ionic dissociation, soil depth dependence of persistence, volatilization, wicking upward in soil and aging of residues. The pesticide module requires a large number of parameters to run (as does the RZWQM model as a whole) and it is becoming clear that RZWQM will find most interest and use as part of a 'scenario' in which all data requirements are supplied and the predictions of the system compared with a real (usually partial) data set. Such a scenario may then be modified to examine the response of the system to changes in inputs. It also has significant potential as a technology transfer or teaching tool, providing detailed understanding of a specific agronomic system and its potential impacts on the environment.     

Field leaching of pesticides at five test sites in Hawaii: modeling flow and transport

BACKGROUND: Physically based tier‐II models may serve as possible alternatives to expensive field and laboratory leaching experiments required for pesticide approval and registration. The objective of this study was to predict pesticide fate and transport at five different sites in Hawaii using data from an earlier field leaching experiment and a one‐dimensional tier‐II model. As the predicted concentration profiles of pesticides did not provide close agreement with data, inverse modeling was used to obtain adequate reactive transport parameters. The estimated transport parameters of pesticides were also utilized in a tier‐I model, which is currently used by the state authorities to evaluate the relative leaching potential. RESULTS: Water flow in soil profiles was simulated by the tier‐II model with acceptable accuracy at all experimental sites. The observed concentration profiles and center of mass depths predicted by the tier‐II simulations based on optimized transport parameters provided better agreements than did the non‐optimized parameters. With optimized parameters, the tier‐I model also delivered results consistent with observed pesticide center of mass depths. CONCLUSION: Tier‐II numerical modeling helped to identify relevant transport processes in field leaching of pesticides. The process‐based modeling of water flow and pesticide transport, coupled with the inverse procedure, can contribute significantly to the evaluation of chemical leaching in Hawaii soils. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

我国农药管理现状及面临的挑战

我国有占世界19%的人口，但仅有占世界9%的耕地，因此保证国家粮食安全是头等大事。在确保生态环境安全的前提下，如何增加作物产量和保障农产品质量安全始终是我国农业快速发展面临的一大挑战。在高效、负责、透明的政府能力建设中，我国农业的绿色发展和高质量发展战略，我国农药管理的法制建设、市场监管、食品安全、环境监测、有害生物治理、应用技术服务及推广等都取得了显著进步。到2021年底，我国已经登记了740多个农药有效成分，41 433个农药产品。2021年，全国1 705家农药定点企业，共生产了化学农药原药249.8万t。不仅满足了国内有害生物防控的实际需要，还出口180多个国家和地区，农药出口额达到234亿美金。我国还有的10个高毒农药品种，已经控制在1.3%以下，且安排在未来5年内会陆续退市。本文还分析梳理了今后我国农药管理发展所面临的挑战。     

Immobilization of the pesticide 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid on a silica gel surface

A route for the immobilization of 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) on silica gel has been developed. In the first step the precursor was prepared by reacting the silylating agent 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propylamine with silica gel. Nitrogen analysis of this anchored compound showed the presence of 1.16 mmol of amine groups per gram of support. The herbicide was covalently bonded to the amine groups previously anchored onto silica gel. Infrared, [¹³C] and [²⁹Si] NMR spectra supported the reaction between the nitrogen of the amine group of the anchored silica with the carbon on the para‐position of the aromatic ring of 2,4‐D. The reaction yield, 90.3%, was confirmed through elemental analysis. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

The stability and degradation of a new biological pesticide,pyoluteorin

BACKGROUND: Pyoluteorin (Plt) is a polyketide metabolite produced by fluorescent Pseudomonas. It controls a wide range of pests, including bacteria, epiphytes and weeds. It could become widely used as a new biological pesticide. However, ignorance of the stability of Plt is an obstacle to its use. This work studied the stability of Plt and its degradation under different conditions, including temperature, pH and UV–visible light irradiation. RESULTS: Degradation of Plt followed first‐order reaction kinetics. The degradation rate increased with increased temperature. The derived activation energy was 11.06 J mol^?1 K^?1. Plt was relatively stable in neutral solutions, in contrast to acid and alkaline solutions. Visible irradiation had no obvious effect on Plt stability, while UV irradiation greatly decreased its half‐life to 3–4 days, in contrast to its half‐life of 25 days in the dark. CONCLUSION: Plt is relatively stable in pure water solutions and at room temperature, with a half‐life of more than 20 days. However, UV irradiation and acidic or alkaline solutions will enhance its degradation, reducing its half‐life by a factor of 0.1–0.3. Before Plt is widely used as a pesticide, it might be necessary to modify the structure of Plt to make it more stable. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Is tile drainage water representative of root zone leaching of pesticides?

Given the methods presently available, determination of flux-averaged concentrations of pesticides in structured soils is always a compromise. Most of the available methods entail major uncertainties and limitations. Tile drainage monitoring has several advantages, but the extent to which it is representative of overall leaching has been questioned because it comprises a mixture of water of different origins. This literature review evaluates whether drainage water pesticide concentrations are representative of root zone leaching of pesticides. As there are no reports quantifying the extent to which the flux-averaged concentration of pesticides in drainage water differs from that found between the drains, evidence-based conclusions cannot be drawn. Nevertheless, the existing literature does suggest that the concentration in drainage water does not always correspond to the concentration at drain depth between the drains; depending on the conditions pertaining, the concentrations may be higher or lower. As to whether the flux-averaged concentration of pesticides in drainage water is representative of the interdrain concentration at drain depth it is concluded that (1) the representativeness of drainage water concentrations can be questioned on very well-drained soils and on poorly drained soils with little capacity for lateral transport beneath the plough layer, (2) the conditions provided by relatively porous soils and moderate climatic conditions are conducive to the drainage water concentration being representative and (3) drainage water will be more representative in the case of weakly sorbed pesticides than for strongly sorbed pesticides. Used critically, it is thus believed that drainage water concentrations can serve to characterize the flux-averaged concentration of pesticides at drain depth. However, the use of drainage water for determining average concentrations necessitates thorough investigation and interpretation of precipitation, percolation, drain outflow and concentration dynamics.     

Effect of reduced risk pesticides for use in greenhouse vegetable production on Bombus impatiens (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

BACKGROUND: Bumble bees [Bombus impatiens (Cresson)] are widely used for supplemental pollination of greenhouse vegetables and are at risk of pesticide exposure while foraging. The objective of this study was to determine the lethal and sub‐lethal effects of four insecticides (imidacloprid, abamectin, metaflumizone and chlorantraniliprole) and three fungicides (myclobutanil, potassium bicarbonate and cyprodinil + fludioxonil) used or with potential for use in Ontario greenhouse vegetable production to B. impatiens. RESULTS: Imidacloprid, abamectin, and metaflumizone were harmful to worker bees following direct contact, while chlorantraniliprole and all fungicides tested were harmless. Worker bees fed imidacloprid‐contaminated pollen had shortened life spans and were unable to produce brood. Worker bees consumed less pollen contaminated with abamectin. Metaflumizone, chlorantraniliprole and all fungicides tested caused no sub‐lethal effects in bumble bee micro‐colonies. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the new reduced risk insecticides metaflumizone and chlorantraniliprole and the fungicides myclobutanil, potassium bicarbonate and cyprodinil + fludioxonil are safe for greenhouse use in the presence of bumble bees. This information can be used preserve greenhouse pollination programs while maintaining acceptable pest management. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

正确认识化学农药的问题

针对当前我国农药使用中存在的一些主要问题作了详细地分析,其中有些属于基本概念,应须统一认识,但很多属于农药使用中实际操作如何规范化的问题。文中提出了解决问题的一些建议和措施。     

Can poisons stimulate bees? Appreciating the potential of hormesis in bee–pesticide research

Hormesis, a biphasic dose response whereby exposure to low doses of a stressor can stimulate biological processes, has been reported in many organisms, including pest insects when they are exposed to low doses of a pesticide. However, awareness of the hormesis phenomenon seems to be limited among bee researchers, in spite of the increased emphasis of late on pollinator toxicology and risk assessment. In this commentary, we show that there are several examples in the literature of substances that are toxic to bees at high doses but stimulatory at low doses. Appreciation of the hormetic dose response by bee researchers will improve our fundamental understanding of how bees respond to low doses of chemical stressors, and may be useful in pollinator risk assessment. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry     

The effect of the herbicide diuron on soil microbial activity

The inhibitory effect of the herbicide diuron [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea] on microbial activity in red Latosol soil was followed using microcalorimetry. The activity of the micro-organisms in 1.50 g of soil sample was stimulated by addition of 6.0 mg of glucose and 6.0 mg of ammonium sulfate under 35% controlled humidity at 298.15 (+/- 0.02) K. This activity was determined by power-time curves that were recorded for increasing amounts of diuron, varying from zero to 333.33 micrograms g-1 soil. An increase in the amount of diuron in soil caused a decrease of the original thermal effect, to reach a null value above 333.33 micrograms g-1 of herbicide. The power-time curve showed that the lag-phase period and peak time increased with added herbicide. The decrease of the thermal effect evolved by micro-organisms and the increase of the lag-phase period are associated with the death of microbial populations caused by diuron, which strongly affects soil microbial communities.     

Application of the Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM) to pesticide fate and transport: an overview

Pesticide transport models are tools used to develop improved pesticide management strategies, study pesticide processes under different conditions (management, soils, climates, etc) and illuminate aspects of a system in need of more field or laboratory study. This paper briefly overviews RZWQM history and distinguishing features, overviews key RZWQM components and reviews RZWQM validation studies. RZWQM is a physically based agricultural systems model that includes sub-models to simulate: infiltration, runoff, water distribution and chemical movement in the soil; macropore flow and chemical movement through macropores; evapotranspiration (ET); heat transport; plant growth; organic matter/nitrogen cycling; pesticide processes; chemical transfer to runoff; and the effect of agricultural management practices on these processes. Research to date shows that if key input parameters are calibrated, RZWQM can adequately simulate the processes involved with pesticide transport (ET, soil-water content, percolation and runoff, plant growth and pesticide fate). A review of the validation studies revealed that (1) accurate parameterization of restricting soil layers (low permeability horizons) may improve simulated soil-water content; (2) simulating pesticide sorption kinetics may improve simulated soil pesticide concentration with time (persistence) and depth and (3) calibrating the pesticide half-life is generally necessary for accurate pesticide persistence simulations. This overview/review provides insight into the processes involved with the RZWQM pesticide component and helps identify model weaknesses, model strengths and successful modeling strategies.     

Pedotransfer functions for isoproturon sorption on soils and vadose zone materials

BACKGROUND: Sorption coefficients (the linear K_D or the non‐linear K_F and N_F) are critical parameters in models of pesticide transport to groundwater or surface water. In this work, a dataset of isoproturon sorption coefficients and corresponding soil properties (264 K_D and 55 K_F) was compiled, and pedotransfer functions were built for predicting isoproturon sorption in soils and vadose zone materials. These were benchmarked against various other prediction methods. RESULTS: The results show that the organic carbon content (OC) and pH are the two main soil properties influencing isoproturon K_D. The pedotransfer function is K_D = 1.7822 + 0.0162 OC^1.5 ? 0.1958 pH (K_D in L kg^?1 and OC in g kg^?1). For low‐OC soils (OC < 6.15 g kg^?1), clay and pH are most influential. The pedotransfer function is then K_D = 0.9980 + 0.0002 clay ? 0.0990 pH (clay in g kg^?1). Benchmarking K_D estimations showed that functions calibrated on more specific subsets of the data perform better on these subsets than functions calibrated on larger subsets. CONCLUSION: Predicting isoproturon sorption in soils in unsampled locations should rely, whenever possible, and by order of preference, on (a) site‐ or soil‐specific pedotransfer functions, (b) pedotransfer functions calibrated on a large dataset, (c) K_OC values calculated on a large dataset or (d) K_OC values taken from existing pesticide properties databases. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

论农药雾滴的剂量及分布对害虫防治效果的影响及其与农药损失的关系

为了明确农药雾滴在剂量传递中的作用方式,本文就雾滴的农药剂量和分布形式在保护作物和杀死害虫过程中的作用模式、以及由此产生的剂量损失进行了论述。农药剂量确定后,雾滴作为农药剂量的载体降落在水稻表面形成沉积点,害虫获得致死剂量后死亡。当雾滴在叶片表面呈连续的均匀分布时,害虫极易接触到药剂。如果害虫在第一时间获得致死剂量,则害虫死亡,其他剂量被浪费;如果第一时间未获得致死剂量,则害虫将继续为害,直至获得致死剂量,导致叶片受损。当雾滴累积的药液量超出叶片的流失点时,药液沉积量将减少约50%,药剂随药液流失,药液用量越多,药剂流失越多,与未流失者相比,需要2倍以上的农药剂量才能确保害虫获得致死剂量。当雾滴在叶片表面呈不连续的点状分布时:①若沉积点大小合适并含有致死剂量,则害虫接触沉积点后死亡,但若沉积点数量太少,则害虫在接触沉积点前会对水稻叶片造成伤害;②若沉积点太小并不足致死剂量,则害虫接触沉积点后仍继续为害叶片直至获得致死剂量;③若沉积点太大,虽含有致死剂量,但害虫只能接触该沉积点的小部分,不能获得致死剂量,则害虫可能在沉积点的范围内继续为害,也可能在几个沉积点的缝隙间为害直至获得致死剂量;④当沉积点的剂量超出致死剂量,则害虫接触沉积点后死亡,超出致死剂量的那部分农药被浪费。总之杀死害虫和保护作物需要有足够多的农药沉积点,而单位面积上沉积点的数量、大小和剂量即可组成农药的沉积结构,不同的沉积结构会产生不同的杀虫效果,最终影响农药利用率。     

我国农药禁限用政策实施情况及建议

本文研究了农药禁限用政策历史沿革、颁布实施情况、运行成效以及所面临问题的评价,提出了加强农药管理的意见与建议。     

Management of yellow dwarf disease in Europe in a post‐neonicotinoid agriculture

Barley/cereal yellow dwarf viruses (YDVs) cause yellow dwarf disease (YDD), which is a continuous risk to cereals production worldwide. These viruses cause leaf yellowing and stunting, resulting in yield reductions of up to 80%. YDVs have been a consistent but low‐level problem in European cereal cultivation for the last three decades, mostly due to the availability of several effective insecticides (largely pyrethroids and more recently neonicotinoids) against aphid vectors. However, this has changed recently, with many insecticides being lost, culminating in a recent European Union (EU) regulation prohibiting outdoor use of the neonicotinoid‐insecticide compounds. This change is coupled with the growing challenge of insecticide‐resistant aphids, the lack of genetic resources against YDVs, and a knowledge deficit around the parameters responsible for the emergence and spread of YDD. This means that economic sustainability of cereal cultivation in several European countries including France and United Kingdom is now again threatened by this aphid‐vectored viral disease. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the YDV pathosystem, describe management options against YDD, analyse the impacts of the neonicotinoid ban in Europe, and consider future strategies to control YDV. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry