Sulfonylurea resistance in Stellaria media [L.] Vill.

A sulfonylurea resistant biotype of common chickweed (Stellaria media L. Vill.) was found in a field treated with chlorsulfuron or metsulfuron for eight consecutive years. In pot experiments the biotype was resistant to postemergence treatments with the following acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors: chlorsulfuron, metsulfuron, tribenuron, triasulfuron, rimsulfuron, sulfometuron, flumetsulam and imazapyr. The level of resistance to chlorsulfuron and sulfometuron was higher than to the other sulfonylurea herbicides. Whereas the level of cross resistance to the triazolopyrimidine herbicide, flumetsulam was comparable to that of metsulfuron, that of imazapyr was significantly lower. In contrast to imazapyr the biotype was not resistant to imazethapyr, an other imidazolinone herbicide. ALS in vitro assays revealed that resistance was due to an ALS enzyme that was less sensitive to ALS inhibiting herbicides. Herbicides with different modes of action were equally effective on the susceptible and resistant biotypes.     

Temperature-mediated responses of flumetsulam and metosulam on Raphanus raphanistrum

The effect of temperature and light after spraying on the activity of flumetsulam and metosulam when applied to seedlings of Raphanus raphanistrum was evaluated under controlled environments. Flumetsulam and metosulam were applied at 0.01–3 times the recommended doses and the plants were subjected to a range of temperatures after spraying. Herbicide activity was estimated from dose–response curves of fresh weight. Varying the temperature after spraying from 1 to 20 °C increased the activity of flumetsulam and metosulam, as determined by comparison of ED₅₀, by a factor of 97 and 7 respectively. Large increases in herbicide activity occurred in the 1–5 °C range and smaller but significant increases at temperatures greater than 5 °C. No significant differences in the activity of the herbicides were found when the plants were subjected to light or dark conditions at 5 °C after spraying. The influence of temperature on activity may lead to opportunities for rate adjustment of flumetsulam and metosulam based on the temperature prevailing around the time of spraying.     

Quantitative bioassays for determining residues and availability to plants of sulphonylurea herbicides

A bioassay procedure for quantitative determination of sulphonylurea herbicides is described. Turnips (Brassica rapa) were found very suitable as test plants and gave results within 10 days. Six sulphonylurea compounds were investigated for their activity in three widely differing soils. The potential availability to plants was calculated from the dose-response curves of vermiculite (non-sorptive substrate) and the corresponding ED₅₀-values of the soils. The dose-response relationship (logistic curve) was described by a computer model by a position parameter, the slope of the curve and the minimum and maximum fresh weights of plants. The limit of quantitative detection in the range of ED₃₀ in vermiculite was 0·06 μg 1^?1 for sulfometuron and 1·03 μg 1^?1 for DPX-L5300, methy12-([4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl (methyl)carbamoyl]-sulphamoyl) benzoate. Results with turnips showed that sulfometuron was the most active compound in all substrates (ED₅₀ in vermiculite 0·12 μg 1^?1) followed by chlorsulfuron, metsulfuron-methyl, triasulfuron, DPX-M6316, methyl 3-([(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)aminocarbamoyl]-aminosulphaphamoyl)-2-thiophenecarboxylate, and DPX-L5300 which had ED₅₀ or 1·98 μg 1^?1, The Horotiu sandy loam soil showed the highest ED₅₀-values and the lowest plant availability for all compounds compared to the other soils. Probit and logistic evaluation methods for deriving dose-response relationships are compared and their applicability is discussed.     

Resistance of dicot weeds to acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides in Australia

A biotype of Sonchus oleraceus L. and two bio types of Sisymbrium orientate Torn., SSO 3 and NSO 1, are the first dicot weeds in Australia to develop resistance to ALS-inhibiting herbicides. The resistant biotypes had been exposed to va rying periods of selection with sulfonylurea her bicides. All three biotypes are resistant to a range of sulfonylurea and imidazolinone herbicides. The S. orientale biotypes are also resistant to the triazolopyrimidine herbicide, flumetsulam. LD₅₀ ratios of resistant Sonchus oleraceus for sulfony lurea and imidazolinone herbicides are greater than 64-fold and 4.5-fold, respectively. GR₅₀ ratios are greater than 9 for sulfonylureas and 7.4 for imazapyr. The LD₅₀ ratios for both S. orien tale biotypes for chlorsulfuron, sulfometuron methyl, metsulfuron-methyl, flumetsulam and imazethapyr are greater than 110-, 15-, 7-, 24- and 29-fold, respectively. All resistant biotypes are susceptible to MCPA, diuron and diflufenican, herbicides which do not inhibit ALS.     

绿磺隆、醚苯磺隆及其体外代谢物对乙酰乳酸合成酶的离体抑制作用

利用异源表达于酵母细胞中的小麦细胞色素P450cDNA(CYP71C6v1)研究了磺酰脲类除草剂绿磺隆、醚苯磺隆的代谢作用。结果表明,代谢产物5-羟基绿磺隆和5-羟基醚苯磺隆能够抑制乙酰乳酸合成酶(ALS酶)活性,且代谢产物与母体化合物绿磺隆、醚苯磺隆抑制ALS酶活性的IC50值差异小,但是代谢产物在茎叶喷雾小麦和菜豆时,均未表现出活性。绿磺隆及其代谢产物抑制小麦ALS酶活性的IC50值分别为7.1×10-9和7.9×10-9mol/L,抑制菜豆ALS酶活性的IC50分别为3.6×10-9和4.1×10-9mol/L;醚苯磺隆及其代谢产物抑制小麦ALS酶活性的IC50分别为4.6×10-9和5.3×10-9mol/L,抑制菜豆ALS酶活性的IC50分别为4.7×10-9和4.9×10-9mol/L。结果表明,在磺酰脲类分子苯环5位上进行结构改造,有可能得到高活性的化合物。     

Evaluation of the bioefficacy and leaching of a controlled–release formulation of chlorsulfuron

A controlled–release formulation of chlorsulfuron (DT26B) and a conventional granular formulation were compared for their initial bioefficacy and leaching in laboratory and field experiments. Three alkaline soil types, representative of farm soils in SE Australia, were used for these experiments. Laboratory tests of initial bioefficacy using a Mallee sand (pH 7.2) were able to detect, within ED_05–95 limits, that approximately 50% of active ingredient remained as a non–available reserve in DT26B immediately after spraying, when compared with the granular formation. There was also an indication that the bioavailable component of active ingredient in DT26B would be sufficient for weed control. This was confirmed at field sites on a Kattyoong sand (pH 7.9) and a Wimmera Grey clay (pH 8.4), after using recommended application rates of chlorsulfuron during the 1994 winter growing season. The formulations produced only marginal differences in control of Lolium rigidum Gaud. The field leaching trials at these sites showed that there can be rapid leaching of chlorsulfuron with only small amounts of rainfall. Under these conditions, there was an overall trend of reduced leaching by DT26B at both trial sites, although these reductions were not significant when compared with the granular formation, A laboratory system designed to measure the mobility of herbicides is described. It was used to impose upon each formulation a greater level of leaching than in the field trials, using Mallee sand columns irrigated with 50 mm day^–1 under –50 kPa suction. This test revealed a negligible reduction in leaching of chlorsulfuron by DT26B as compared with the granular formulation. Therefore, although the controlled–release formulation DT26B demonstrated that it could provide a viable alternative for weed control under conventional spraying conditions in arable farming, the agricultural usage of DT26B for the purpose of reducing leaching could not be warranted at its current stage of development.     

A bioassay technique to study the leaching behaviour of sulfonylurea herbicides in different soils

A bioassay procedure is described for quantitative determination of sulfonylurea herbicides in water and for studying their leaching behaviour in soils. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) was found a more susceptible bioassay species than turnip (Brassica rapa L.) or lentil (Lens culinaris Medic.). The limit of quantitative detection (EC₃₀) in soil leachates was 0.12 μg 1^?1 for triasulfuron and 0.15 μg 1^?1 for metsulfuron-methyl. Leaching experiments were carried out by uniformly packing the soil in glass columns corresponding to its natural bulk density and applying simulated irrigation of 50 mm day^?1 with leachate water from untreated soil columns. Results obtained by measuring fresh weights of the true leaves of sunflowers in soil leachates showed that metsulfuron-methyl was much more mobile than triasulfuron in two soils with different sorption capacity. The BBA soil with low sorptive capacity showed very little retardation of both herbicides in the columns. The Horotiu soil with high sorptive capacity retarded triasulfuron for a long period, even under high flow conditions. Une technique d'essai biologique pour étudier l'aptitu.de au lessivage des herbicides sul-fony-lurées dans des différents sols Un protocole d'essai biologique est décrit pour la détermination quantitative des herbicides sulfonylurées dans l'eau, et pour l'étude de leur lessivage dans les sols. Le tournesol (Helianthus annuus) a été reconnu comme une espèce pour l'essai biologique plus sensible que le navet (Brassica rapa) ou la lentille (Lens culinaris). La limite de détection quantitative (EC₃₀) dans le lessivat du sol a été 0,12 μg 1^?1 pour le triasulfuron et 0,15 μg 1^?1 pour le metsulfuron methyl. Des études de lessivage ont été con-duites en mettant unifomément du sol dans des colonnes de verre de façon équivalente à la densité naturelle dans le sol et en appliquant une irrigation simulée de 50 mm jour^?1 avec de l'eau d'un lessivat de sol non traité. Les résult ats obtenus en mesurant le poids frais des feuilles vraies de tournesol dans les lessivats de sol ont montré que le metsulfuron-methyl était beau-coup plus mobile que le triasulfuron dans les 2 sols de capacités d'adsorption différentes. Le sol BBA avec une capacité d'adsorption faible a entraiîné un faible ralentissement des 2 herbicides dans les colonnes. Le sol Horotiu avec une capacité d'adsorption élevée a retardé le triasulfuron pendant une longue période, même sous des conditions de fortes précipitations. Biotestmethode zur Bestimmung des Ein-waschungsverhaltens von Sulfonyl-Harnstoff-herbiziden in unterschiedlich sorptiven Böden Eine Biotestmethode zum quantitativen Nach-weis von Sulfonyl-Harnstoffherbiziden in Was-serproben zur Bestimmung des Einwaschungs-verhaltens wurde entwickelt. Sonnenblume (Helianthus annuus L.) war unter den geprüf-ten Testpflanzen wesentlich empfindlicher als Herbstrübe (Brassica rapa L.) oder Linse (Lens culinaris Medic.). Als empfindlichste Meßgröße erwiesen sich die Echten Laubblätter der Sonnenblume. Die Nachweisgrenzen (EC₃₀-Werte) in Bodenperkolatwasser lagen bei 0,12 μg 1^?1 für Triasulfuron und 0,15 μg l^?1 für Metsulf-uron-methyl. Die Einwaschungsversuche wurden in Glassäulen durchgeführt, wobei die Böden gleichmäßig entsprechend ihrer Lagerungsdichte gepackt wurden. Die Beregnung erfolgte mit 50 mm Perkolat/Tag, das von nicht mit Herbiziden behandelten Säulenversuchen vorab gewonnen wurde. In beiden, unterschiedlich sorptiven, Böden zeigte Met-sulfuron-methyl eine stärkere Einwaschung als Triasulfuron. Im schwach sorptiven BBA-Boden wurden beide Wirkstoffe kaum retardiert, während Triasulfuron im stark sorptiven Horotiu-Boden über einen langen Zeitraum, auch unter den extremen Flußraten, zurückgehalten wurde.     

Comparison of sulfonylurea herbicide residue detection in soil by bioassay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and hplc

The ability of bioassay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and high-performance liquid chromatography (hplc) methods to detect sulfonylurea herbicides in soil was evaluated as part of a project studying the leaching and persistence of these herbicides in the alkaline soils of south-eastern Australia. Soil samples with known concentrations between 0.1 and 10 μg a.i. kg⁻¹ chlorsulfuron, metsulfuron-methyl or triasulfuron were prepared by an independent laboratory and supplied in coded bags to separate laboratories for testing. The accuracy of the results was analysed, and the merits of each method are discussed. Bioassay was suitable for measuring biologically active residues from 0.1 to 1.0 μg a.i. kg⁻¹. ELISA accurately measured residues in the range of 0.1–10 μg a.i. kg⁻¹, making it the most widely adaptable assay tested. It will be useful for measuring residues in sodic subsoils where bioassay plants grow poorly. There was good reproducibility between the bioassay and ELISA. The hplc technique used in this study was not as accurate as bioassay or ELISA at quantifying residues of 3.0–10 μg a.i. kg⁻¹ and could not detect residues at or below 1.0 μg a.i. kg⁻¹.     

Expression of a wheat cytochrome P450 monooxygenase cDNA in yeast catalyzes the metabolism of sulfonylurea herbicides

A wheat cytochrome P450 cDNA (CYP71C6v1) was cloned by RT-PCR and heterologously expressed in yeast. The microsomal fractions derived from this strain could catalyze the metabolism of some sulfonylurea herbicides such as chlorsulfuron, triasulfuron, metsulfuron-metyl, bensulfuron-metyl, and tribenuron-metyl, but not sulfonylurea herbicides such as thifensulfuron and pyrazosulfuron. Kinetic parameters K_m for chlorsulfuron and triasulfuron were 57 (±15) μM and 38 (±16) μM in vitro, respectively. Analysis of the metabolites demonstrated that the CYP71C6v1 functioned as a 5-phenyl ring hydroxylase when chlorsulfuron and triasulfuron were the substrates.     

Photolysis of chlorsulfuron and metsulfuron-methyl in methanol

Photolysis of chlorsulfuron and metsulfuron-methyl was studied in methanol under UV light. Their rates of primary photolysis followed first-order kinetics. The main photoproducts were identified as 2-methoxy-4-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-6-amine, 2-chloro-benzenesulfonamide and methyl 2-(aminosulfonyl)benzoate, which entailed the cleavage of the two N–C ureic bonds. Further photolysis of benzenesulfonamide derivatives involved oxidation of −NH₂, cyclisation with loss of CH₃OH, and scission of the C–S bond A trace of methyl o-mercaptobenzoate was also detected. The corresponding photolysis pathways of chlorsulfuron and metsulfuron-methyl were tentatively proposed. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Response of Brassica napus in tissue culture to metsulfuron-methyl and chlorsulfuron

A herbicide bioassay based on tissue cultures of Brassica napus L. was evaluated with selected sulfonylurea herbicides. Data were analysed by fitting the results to a log-logistic dose–response model. Within an experiment, the non-linear regression models were fitted simultaneously to the individual dose–response curves. The results obtained showed good response to even low concentrations of herbicide, with detection limits in the range 0.008–0.69 nmol L^?1 for chlorsulfuron and 0.02–0.13 nmol L^?1 for metsulfuron. The reproducibility of the assays, on the basis of coefficient of variation of the ED₅₀ values, was found to be 44% for chlorsulfuron and 48% for metsulfuron measurements. Assay of herbicide dissolved in aqueous soil extract showed significant interference from this matrix on the response, requiring a five times dilution of the extract to overcome this matrix effect.     

Toxicity and horizontal transfer of chlorantraniliprole against the Asian subterranean termite Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann): effects of donor:recipient ratio, exposure duration and soil type

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of chlorantraniliprole and other insecticides (bifenthrin, fipronil, indoxacarb, imidacloprid and chlorfenapyr) were tested against Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann). Four experiments were conducted: a topical bioassay, a horizontal transfer study, an insecticide bioavailability test and a feeding bioassay. RESULTS: The topical bioassay showed that chlorantraniliprole was significantly less active to C. gestroi at 24 h post‐treatment compared with the other insecticides tested. Nevertheless, it is likely that a lesser amount of chlorantraniliprole was required to cause 50% mortality of C. gestroi at 7 and 14 days post‐treatment. The exposure duration and donor:recipient ratio affect the mortality of recipient termites. Mortality after exposure to chlorantraniliprole in sandy clay was significantly lower than in sand; however, by 14 days, > 90% of donor and recipient termites died in both substrates, irrespective of concentration. Fipronil and imidacloprid showed faster action, and high to moderate toxicity to C. gestroi. Termite workers also ceased to feed after exposure for 1 h to 50 mg kg^?1 chlorantraniliprole‐treated sandy clay. CONCLUSION: Chlorantraniliprole demonstrated delayed toxicity at the lowest label rate (50 mg kg^?1) in sandy clay. Its slow action will enable greater transfer of toxicant between nestmates, while feeding cessation will promote greater social interaction between healthy and exposed termites. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas) cross-resistance to ALS-inhibiting herbicides

BACKGROUND: Papaver rhoeas (L.) has evolved resistance to tribenuron in winter wheat fields in northern Greece owing to multiple Pro₁₉₇ substitutions. Therefore, the cross‐resistance pattern to other sulfonylurea and non‐sulfonylurea ALS‐inhibiting herbicides of the tribenuron resistant (R) and susceptible (S) corn poppy populations was studied by using whole‐plant trials and in vitro ALS catalytic activity assays. RESULTS: The whole‐plant trials revealed that tribenuron R populations were also cross‐resistant to sulfonylureas mesosulfuron + iodosulfuron, chlorsulfuron and triasulfuron. The whole‐plant resistance factors (RFs) calculated for pyrithiobac, imazamox and florasulam ranged from 12.4 to > 88, from 1.5 to 28.3 and from 5.6 to 25.4, respectively, and were lower than the respective tribenuron RF values (137 to > 2400). The ALS activity assay showed higher resistance of the ALS enzyme to sulfonylurea herbicides (tribenuron > chlorsulfuron) and lower resistance to non‐sulfonylurea ALS‐inhibiting herbicides (pyrithiobac > florasulam ≈ imazamox). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that Pro₁₉₇ substitution by Ala, Ser, Arg or Thr in corn poppy results in a less sensitive ALS enzyme to sulfonylurea herbicides than to other ALS‐inhibiting herbicides. The continued use of sulfonylurea herbicides led to cross‐resistance to all ALS‐inhibiting herbicides, making their use impossible in corn poppy resistance management programmes. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Degradation of the sulfonylurea herbicides chlorsulfuron and triasulfuron in a high-organic-matter volcanic soil

The degradation rates of two sulfonylurea herbicides, chlorsulfuron and triasulfuron, were determined at two application rates, 15 and 30 g a.i. ha^–1, in a sandy loam soil of volcanic origin under controlled environment and field conditions. Residues were measured using a modified gas chromatographic (gc) determination method. Both herbicides degraded rapidly in the acidic soil (pH 5.7) with high organic matter levels (7.3% o.m.), generally according to first-order rate kinetics. The respective half-lives ranged from 22 to 38 d for chlorsulfuron and from 31 to 44 d for triasulfuron under five controlled temperature/soil moisture regimens, ranging from 10 to 30 °C and between 40% and 80% maximum water-holding capacity. Half-lives in the field were considerably shorter (13 d for chlorsulfuron and 12–13 d for triasulfuron). The degradation rates of the herbicides were influenced more by soil temperature than by soil moisture content. Bioassays using white mustard ( Sinapis alba L.) and forage sorghum [ Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] were also used to determine the persistence of phytotoxic residues of both herbicides in the field, and the results showed that the effects of chlorsulfuron disappeared within 8 weeks. Triasulfuron residues disappeared within 9 and 14 weeks for the 15 and 30 g a.i. ha^–1 rates respectively.     

Influence of broad-leaved weed herbicides on the activity of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl

The activity of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl applied alone or in tank-mixture with different formulations of mecoprop or sulfonylurea herbicides was compared in a series of pot experiments using Avena fatua L. (wild oat) as a test plant. A logistic model was fitted to the results and dose–response curves of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl applied alone and in mixture with the broad-leaved weed herbicides were estimated using non-linear regressions. Tank-mixtures of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl and mecoprop or metsulfuron-methyl were antagonistic. In general, the activity of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl decreased with increasing doses of the broad-leaved herbicides. In mixture with 1200 g a.i. ha^?1 mecoprop, doses of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl had to be increased by 60% to 130% (dependent on formulation) to obtain the same effect as when fenoxaprop-P-ethyl was applied alone. Both the active and the inactive isomers of mecoprop were involved in the antagonism, and the ester formulation of mecoprop-P was less antagonistic than the amine formulation. In mixture with the recommended dose of 8 g a.i. ha^?1 of metsulfuron-methyl, doses of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl had to be increased by 20% to 110% to obtain the same effect as with fenoxaprop-P-ethyl applied alone. Fenoxaprop-P-ethyl did not lose activity when applied in mixture with recommended doses of chlorsulfuron, tribenuron and amidosulfuron. Antagonism of the sulfonylurea herbicides seemed to be related to the susceptibility of A.?fatua to these herbicides.     

Phytotoxicity and persistence of chlorsulfuron as affected by activated charcoal

Two bioassay procedures, using petri-dishes and pots, based on the root growth of pregerminated maize were used to study the residual phytotoxicity of chlorsulfuron under field conditions. Both bioassay procedures appeared to be equally reproducible and sensitive with residues of chlorsulfuron being detectable from 0·25 to 10·0 ng g^-1. The results indicated that persistence, movement and phytotoxicity increased with increasing rate of chlorsulfuron, but persistence of the herbicide was shorter in wet compared to dry field conditions. As little as 1 g a.i. ha^-1 of incorporated chlorsulfuron under warm and dry field conditions caused a stunting effect on maize plants (Hybrid F₁, Damon) and reduced yield by 53% compared to untreated control plants; while 5·0 and 10·0 g a.i. ha^-1 of incorporated chlorsulfuron killed all maize plants. However, under wetter field conditions, incorporated chlorsulfuron at 1·25, 2·5 and 5·0 g a.i. ha^-1 caused a stunting effect on maize plants (Hybrid F₁, ARIS) and decreased yield by 16, 57 and 92%, respectively, compared to untreated control. Incorporation of 50 kg ha^-1 of activated charcoal inactivated completely chlorsulfuron incorporated at 1·25 and 2·5 g a.i. ha^-1 and did not affect yield of maize compared to untreated control. Higher rates of activated charcoal such as 100 and 200 kg ha^-1 also inactivated chlorsulfuron applied at 1·25–5·0 g a.i. ha^-1 and did not affect grain yield of maize. Phytotoxicité et persistance du chlorsulfuron Deux méthodes d'essais biologiques, à savoir en boîte de Petri ou en pot, Basées sur la croissance des racines de maïs prégermé ont été utilisées pour étudier la phytotoxicité résiduelle du chlorsulfuron en conditions de plein champ. Les deux méthodes sont également reproductibles et sensibles à des niveaux de détection pour les résidus de chlorsulfuron de 0,25 à 10 ng g^-1. Les résultats montrent que la persistance et la phytotoxicité augmentent avec des doses croissantes de chlorsulfuron, mais la persistance est plus courte dans des conditions de plein champ humides que séches. Une dose aussi faible que 1 g de matiére active ha^-1 de chtorsulfuron incorporé en conditions chaudes et séches a causé un effet retard sur les plants de maïs (hybride F₁, Damon) et a réduit de 53% le rendement par rapport au témoin non traité; des doses de 5 à 10 g de matiére active ha^-1 de chlorsulfuron incorporé ont tué tous les pieds de maïs. Cependant, en conditions plus humides, le chlorsulfuron incorporéà 1,25, 2,5 et 5 g de matiére active ha^-1 a causé un effet retard sur le maïs (hybride F₁ ARIS) et a réduit le rendement par rapport au témoin non traité respectivement de 16, 57 et 92%. L'incorporation de 50 kg ha^-1 de charbon actif a complément inactive le chlorsulfuron incorporéà 1,25 et 2,5 g de matiére active ha^-1 et n'a pas eu de répercussion sur le rendement par rapport au témoin non traité. Des doses plus élevées de charbon actif comme 100 et 200 kg ha^-1 ont inactivé le chlorsulfuron appliquéà 1,25–5 g matiére active ha^-1et n'ont pas affecté le poids en grain du maïs. Ueber die Beeinflussung von Phytotoxizität und Wirkungsdauer von Chlorsulfuron durch Aklivkohle Zum Studium der Residualwirkung von Chlorsulfuron unter Feldbedingungen wurden zwei Bioassaymethoden, eine in Petrischalen, die andere in Töpfen, eingesetzt. Beide Methoden basierten auf dem Wurzelwachstum von vorgekeimtem Mais. Es zeigte sich, dass beide Versuchsverfahren in gleichem Masse reproduzierbar und empfindlich und in der Lage sind Rückstände von 0,25–10,0 ng g^-1 nachzuweisen. Mit steigender Chlorsulfurondosis wurde eine zunehmende Phytotoxizität, Persistenz und Mobilität des Herbizids festgestellt. Die Persistenz war unter feuchten Feldbedingungen kürzer als bei Trockenheit. Bis zu einer unteren Grenze von 1,0 g a.i. ha^-1 verursachte inkorporiertes Chlorsulfuron, unter trockenen und warmen Feldbedingungen an Mais (Hybride F₁, Damon) Wachstumshemmungen und Erntereduktionen von 53%, verglichen mit unbehandelten Kontrollpflanzen. Unter feuchteren Bedingungen, jedoch, hatten 1,25, 2,5 and 5,0 g a.i. ha^-1 eingearbeitetes Chlorsulfuron an Mais (Hybride F₁ ARIS) Wachstumshemmungen und Ernteverluste von 16, 57 und 92% zur Folge. Die Einarbeitung von 50 kg ha^-1 Aktivkohle inaktivierte 1,25 g und 2,5 g ha^-1 inkorporierles Chlorsulfuron vollständig und hatte keinerlei negative Auswirkungen auf die Maisernte, im Vergleich zu unbehandelten Kontrollen. Höhere Mengen von Aktivkohle, wie 100 und 200 kg ha^-1, inaktivierten auch Chlorsulfuronmengen von 1,25–5 g ha^-1 und hatten keinen Einfluss auf den Kömerertrag.     

Uptake and phytotoxicity of chlorsulfuron in Zea mays L. in the presence of 1,8-naphthalic anhydride

The sites of uptake of chlorsulfuron in maize (Zea mays L.) were investigated at three different growth stages. Exposure of seedling roots, or shoots separately, to herbicide-treated sand over 4 days resulted in inhibition of both roots and shoots. Exposure of seedling roots to chlorsulfuron-treated soil over 21 days severely inhibited both roots and foliage, while separate shoot exposure also reduced both foliage and root growth. After plant emergence, exposure of the crown root node, growing point and lower stem to treated soil reduced foliage and root growth, but exposure of the shoot above the growing point caused only slight inhibition of foliage and had no effect on roots. The herbicide safener 1,8-naphthalic anhydride (NA) applied as a dust (10 g kg^?1 seed weight), or as a 50 mg 1^?1 suspension in water to maize seeds, reduced the root inhibition by chlorsulfuron in 4-day-old seedlings. NA completely prevented both foliage and root injury when chlorsulfuron was placed in soil in the shoot zone before emergence, or in the shoot zone below the soil surface after plant emergence. NA slightly decreased injury to foliage, but not to roots when chlorsulfuron was placed in soil in the root zone before emergence. NA seed treatment protected both roots and foliage against injury from foliarly applied chlorsulfuron. Plants were also protected when a suspension of NA in water was sprayed on the foliage seven days before chlorsulfuron. When a mixture of NA and chlorsulfuron was applied to foliage, root injury was reduced more than foliage injury.     

The mechanism of differential response of wheat cultivars to chlorsulfuron

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars showed differential tolerance to chlorsulfuron. Cultivar Kotare showed no injury symptoms following foliar applications of chlorsulfuron at 15 or 60 g a.i. ha^?1, while cultivars Rongotea and Lancer showed early damage in pot and field experiments at both rates of chlorsulfuron. Cultivars Abele and Jasper were intermediate in their response. The number of spikelets per ear was the only yield component affected by chlorsulfuron and was reduced in Lancer and Rongotea. Retention, uptake and transiocation of chlorsulfuron were not different between Kotare and Ron-gotea. Within 48 h of application, Kotare metabolized 92–2% of [¹⁴C]chlorsulfuron, while Lancer and Rongotea metabolized only 43–5% and 63% of the herbicide, respectively. The concentration of chlorsulfuron in young tissues of Kotare, Lancer and Rongotea, 48 h after application was calculated as 1.2, 31.9 and 15.6 ng g^?1 dry weight, respectively. It is concluded that differential rates of metabolism are the main reason for differences in sensitivity to chlorsulfuron between the wheat cultivars tested. Le mécanisme des différences de tolérance au chlorsulfuron entre variétés de blé Des variétés de blé (Triticum aestivum L.) ont montré des différences de tolérance au chlorsul-furon. On n'a aucun symptôme de phytotoxicité sur la variété‘Kotare’ après une application foliaire de chlorsulfuron à 15 ou 60 g m.a. ha^?1, alors que les variétés ‘Rongotea’ et ‘Lancer’ présentaient des symptômes précoces aux deux doses, dans des expériences en pot et au champ. La réponse des variété‘Abele’ et ‘Jasper’était intermédiaire. Le nombre de grains par épillet était la seule composante du rendement affectée parle chlorsulfuron et était réduit chez Lancer et Rongotea. La rétention, la pénétration et la migration de chlorsulfuron n'était pas différentes entre Kotare et Rongotea. Quarante huit heures après le traitement, Kotare avait metabolise 92,2% du [¹⁴C]chlorsulfuron, alors que Lancer et Rongotea ne métabolisaient que respectivement 43,5 et 63% de l'herbicide. La concentration de chlorsulfuron dans les tissus jeunes de Kotare, Lancer et Rongotea 48 h après la traitement a étéévaluée à respectivement 1,2,31,9 et 15,6 ng g^?1 de matière sèche. Il est conclu que des différences de vitesse de métabolisation sont la raison principale des différences de sensibilité au chlorsulfuron observées chez les variétés de blé testées. Mechanismen der unterschiedlichen Reaktion von Weizensorten auf Chlorsulfuron-Behandlun-gen Es wurde eine unterschiedliche Toleranz bei Weizensorten (Triticum aestivum L.) gegenüber Chlorsulfuron-Behandlungen beobachtet. Bei der Sorte ‘Kotare’ traten nach Behandlungen mit 15 oder 60 g AS ha keine Schadsymtome auf, während die Sorten ‘Rongotea’ und ‘Lancer’ sowohl in Topfals auch in Freilandversuchen bei beiden Dosen frühe Schädigungen erlitten; die Sorten ‘Abel’ und ‘Jasper’ reagierten mittelstark. Unter den Ertragskomponenten war nur die Zahl der Ährchen pro Ähre betroffen, sie war bei ‘Lancer’ und ‘Rongotea’ reduziert. Aufnahme und Translokation des Wirkstoffs waren bei ‘Kotare’ und ‘Rongotea’ gleich. Bei ‘Kotare’ war [¹⁴C]Chlorsulfuron 48 h nach der Applikation zu 92,2 % metabolisiert, bei ‘Rongotea’ zu 63 % und bei ‘Lancer’ zu 43,5 %. In jungen Geweben dieser Sorten lagen die Chlor-sulfuron-Konzentrationen 48 h nach der Anwendung bei 1,2, 15,6 und 31,9 ng g^?1 TM. Die unterschiedlichen Metabolisierungsraten bei den untersuchten Weizensorten wurden für den Hauptgrund für die Toleranzunterschiede gegenüber Chlorsulfuron gehalten.     

Influence of straw management, nitrogen fertilization and dosage rates on the dissipation of five sulfonylureas in soil

The dissipation behaviour of metsulfuron-methyl, tribenuron-methyl, thifensulfuron-methyl, triasulfuron and amidosulfuron were studied in soil following post-emergence spring applications to cereal crops. Incorporation or removal of straw and different fertilizer applications had no influence on the disappearance time (DT₅₀) of the herbicides. However, in laboratory trials dissipation of metsulfuron-methyl, triasulfuron and amidosulfuron at higher application rates was accelerated after incorporation of straw into the soil. The addition of straw decreases soil pH thereby causing faster hydrolysis of the compounds. Addition of nitrogen fertilizer increased the half-lives (t_1/2) of the herbicides. Combination of both straw and N fertilizer, however, had no effect. Neither straw nor N influenced the degradation of tribenuron-methyl and thifensulfuron-methyl.
The DT₅₀ of all herbicides investigated varied from 6 to 17 days in the field trials. Except for amidosulfuron, herbicides could not be detected 38–68 days after application. In the laboratory, t_1/2 values were higher than those in the field at 75 days (amidosulfuron), 63 days (metsulfuron-methyl), 35 days (triasulfuron) and 13 days (tribenuron-methyl). Only the t_1/2 of thifensulfuron-methyl was at 29 h faster under laboratory conditions. T_1/2 values of all herbicides were influenced by their initial concentration. The t_1/2 values of amidosulfuron and tribenuron-methyl at 1 mg a.i. kg⁻¹ soil were 2–2.5 times higher than at the recommended field application rate of 42 μg a.i. kg⁻¹ soil.