Seasonal concentrations of dieldrin in water, channel catfish, and catfish-food organisms, Des Moines River, Iowa--1971-73.

Concentrations of dieldrin in aquatic insects, crayfish, minnows, and small carpsuckers, and muscle tissue of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) were compared with the dieldrin content of Des Moines River water in 1971-73. Monthly mean concentrations of dieldrin in river water and most aquatic organisms were highest in June and July, soon after aldrin had been applied to corn land in the watershed. Several groups of aquatic organisms also exhibited high dieldrin levels in the fall when the dieldrin content of river water was seasonally low. The influence of temperature on metabolic rate and enzyme activity and the differences in body fat content were suggested as probable causes of variations observed in the dieldrin content of aquatic organisms.     

Organochlorine residues in fish: National Pesticide Monitoring Program, 1970-74

As part of the National Pesticide Monitoring Program, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service analyzed organochlorine contaminant residues in fish samples collected from about 100 stations each year from 1970 to 1974. During this period, mean residues of DDT and its metabolites declined nationally but remained widespread, and high concentrations continued to be present in areas where DDT use was extensive. Results of interlaboratory crosscheck analyses supported these conclusions, despite interpretation problems posed by intercompound analytical interferences in 1970 and 1971. Temporal trends in PCB residues were less obvious. Highest PCB residues were found in the industrialized areas of the Northwest and Midwest, and traces were present at most stations. Dieldrin and endrin residues remained essentially unchanged during this period; dieldrin residues were widespread and were highest in Hawaii and in areas of the Midwest where aldrin was used extensively. Toxaphene occurrence increased; it was formerly found only in fish from streams draining cotton-farming regions, but residues were detected in 1974 samples from other areas. According to the recommendation of the National Academy of Sciences' Water Quality Criteria, organochlorine residues in freshwater fish may have represented a hazard to piscivorous fish and wildlife at 71 percent of the stations sampled in 1970 and 66 percent in 1974.     

Effects of the synergist piperonyl butoxide on metabolism of pesticides in green sunfish

The effects of piperonyl butoxide on metabolism of ¹⁴C-labeled methoxychlor, aldrin, and trifluralin were investigated in green sunfish, Lepomis cyanellus. Piperonyl butoxide inhibited epoxidation of aldrin to dieldrin, O-dealkylation of methoxychlor, and N-dealkylation of trifluralin, resulting in higher levels of total radioactivity in animals exposed to the combination compared to those exposed to pesticide alone. Where piperonyl butoxide was present a greater proportion of the total radioactivity in the fish extract occurred as parent compound compared to metabolites than in fish exposed to pesticide alone. After 16 days of exposure piperonyl butoxide increased the proportion of parent compound eight times for methoxychlor, 17 times for aldrin, and 15 times for trifluralin.     

Effects of shading and soybean Glycine max (L.) interference on Solanum ptycanthum (Dun.) (eastern black nightshade) growth and development

Summary. Solanum ptycanthum (Dun.) vegetative and reproductive growth was evaluated under shade and in the field with soybean interference. In full sunlight without soybean interference, a S. ptycanthum plant produced 243 g shoots and 5957 berries in 20 weeks, but only 38 g and 576 berries in 11 weeks. Plants grown in 94% shade produced 3 g of shoots and 23 berries in 20 weeks, and 1 g and 1 berry in 11 weeks. S. ptycanthum plants that emerged with the soybeans and were positioned between 75-cm rows produced 43 g shoots and 264 berries, whereas plants positioned in 75-cm rows and emerging 6 weeks after the soybeans produced 1 g and 16 berries. When grown between 37·5-cm rows for the same period of time this weed produced 12 g and 2 berries plant⁻¹; plants positioned in 37·5-cm rows produced shoots less than 1 g in weight and one berry plant⁻¹. Shoot growth and berry production of S. ptycanthum increased from 80 to 200% in a 2-week period between the initiation of soybean leaf abscission and maturity. In a season about 50 000 seeds weed⁻¹ were produced in full sunlight; 20 000 or less were produced under soybean interference. When grown in irradiance levels from full sunlight to 94% shade, viable seeds were first detected 10 days after anthesis and essentially all seeds in the berry were viable 24 days after anthesis     

Influence of environmental factors on pesticide levels in sport fish

The extent of pesticide contamination of sport fish from lakes and reservoirs in Indiana is described. Environmental and water quality factors significantly influenced the concentration of pesticides in fish. The influence of these factors was different between natural lakes and humanmade reservoirs. Largmouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), sunfish (Lepomis sp), and bullheads (Ictalurus sp.) were collected and analyzed for dieldrin, aldrin, DDT, DDE, heptachlor, and heptachlor epoxide. The collections and concurrent lake surveys were made during 1972-73. Soil and decaying plant particles appeared to influence the levels of dieldrin and sigma DDT taken up by largemouth bass. Strong correlations were observed between lake turbidity and true color and residue levels in the fish. Residue concentrations were also observed to vary between fish species, the seasons of the year, and watershed land uses.     

Organochlorine residues in starlings, 1972.

During the fall of 1972 starlings were collected from 130 sites in conjunction with the National Pesticide Monitoring Program. They were analyzed for DDT and its metabolites, dieldrin, heptachlor epoxide, benzene hexachloride, polychlorinated biphenyls and, for the first time in the series, oxychlordane and HCB. Mean DDT and dieldrin residue levels have declined significantly since 1967 and a regression analysis suggests that levels of DDT and its metabolites should fall below a mean of 0.1 ppm for the 1974 starling collection.     

Residues of some chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides in milk and milk products after their addition to the feed of cows

Lactating cows fed 0.05 part/million aldrin, 0.2 part/million γ-BHC and 2.0 parts/million pp'-DDT in their concentrate ration gave detectable residues of dieldrin, γ-BHC, pp'-DDE, pp'-TDE and pp'-DDT in the milk and also aldrin in the butter and cheese. The levels found after 28 days of feeding were not significantly greater than those after 14 days. Subsequent increase of the pesticide content of the feed increased the residue content of the milk, butter and cheese. Only a small percentage of pesticide residue was found in the buttermilk, separated milk and the whey.     

Glyphosate-resistant crops: history, status and future

The commercial launch of glyphosate-resistant soybeans in 1996 signaled the beginning of a new era in weed management in row crops. Today, over 80% of the soybeans grown in the USA are glyphosate resistant. Since that time, many crops have been transformed that have allowed crop applications of many classes of herbicide chemistries. Crops currently under production include maize, soybean, cotton and canola. Transformation technology and selection methods have improved and the rate of development as well as the breadth of crops being considered as commercial targets has increased. On the basis of recent adoption rates by growers around the world, it appears that glyphosate-resistant crops will continue to grow in number and in hectares planted. However, global public acceptance of biotechnology-derived products will continue to impact the rate of adoption of this and other new innovations derived from transformation technology.     

Polysubstrate monooxygenases (cytochrome P-450) in larvae of susceptible and resistant strains of house flies

The polysubstrate monooxygenases (PSMO or cytochrome P-450) of house fly larvae were studied at the mature larval or “clear gut” stage. Fat body and gut tissues were most efficient in the conversion of aldrin to dieldrin. Microsomal fractions of larval homogenates had the highest PSMO activities, with lower PSMO activities also found associated with mitochondrial fractions. Microsomes from Rutgers (resistant) larvae had higher levels of NADPH:cytochrome c reductase (2×), cytochrome P-450 (2×), aldrin (4×), and heptachlor (9×) epoxidases than microsomes from CSMA (susceptible) larvae. Cytochrome P-450 of Rutgers larvae had an absorption maximum at 449 nm, 2 nm lower than the cytochrome P-450 of CSMA larvae. n-Octylamine spectra showed that the level of high-spin cytochrome P-450 was higher in Rutgers larvae. NADPH:cytochrome c reductase, cytochrome P-450, and aldrin epoxidase were induced by phenobarbital, and Rutgers larvae were shown to be more sensitive to this inducer than CSMA larvae. Induction of larval PSMO by phenobarbital did not affect the expression or the inducibility of PSMO in adults.     

The concentrations of aldrin and dieldrin and their photoisomers in the atmosphere

Air samples taken in 1973 at a point remote from areas of organochlorine pesticide usage, Bantry Bay in S.W. Ireland, were analysed for aldrin and dieldrin in the vapour state and in association with particupate matter. In addition, some of the samples were analysed for the photoisomers of aldrin and dieldrin, and for pp'-DDT, 1,1-dichloro-2,2-di-(4-chlorophenyl) ethylene (pp'-DDE) and pp'-IDE. Detection and quantitation of all compounds were by gas-liquid chromatography with electron capture detection (g.l.c./e.c.). Confirmatory evidence for the presence of dieldrin and pp'-DDE was obtained with some samplesusing gas-liquid chromatography with mass fragmento-graphic detection (g.l.c./m.f.). Dieldrin was detected in all seventeen samples of air taken, but the mean concentration was 0.36 ng/kg and the range of concentrations was 0.06–1.60 ng/kg. Aldrin was not detected in the samples examined, neither were the two photoisomers. Only pp'-DDE of the pp'-DDT group of compounds was detected in the nine samples examined, and the apparent mean concentration was 0.14 ng/kg. None of the compounds was detected in particulate matter.     

Characterization of Components of Partial Resistance, Rps2, and Root Resistance to Phytophthora sojae in Soybean

ABSTRACT Phytophthora root and stem rot of soybeans caused by Phytophthora sojae is a serious limitation to soybean production in the United States. Partial resistance to P. sojae in soybeans is effective against all the races of the pathogen and is a form of incomplete resistance in which the level of colonization of the root is reduced following inoculation. Other forms of incomplete resistance include the single dominant gene Rps2 and Ripley's root resistance, which are both race-specific. To differentiate partial resistance from the other types of incomplete resistance, the components lesion length, numbers of oospores, and infection frequency were measured in eight soybean genotypes inoculated with two P. sojae isolates. The Rps2 and root-resistant genotypes had significantly lower oospore production and infection frequency compared with the partially resistant genotype Conrad, while the root-resistant genotype also had significantly smaller lesion lengths. However, the high levels of partial resistance in Jack were indistinguishable from Rps2 in L76-1988, based on the evaluation of these components. Root resistance in Ripley and Rps2 in L76-1988 had similar responses for all components measured in this study. Partial resistance expressed in Conrad, Williams, Jack, and General was comprised of various components that interact for defense against P. sojae in the roots, and different levels of each component were found in each of the genotypes. However, forms of incomplete resistance expressed via single genes in Ripley and Rps2 in L76-1988, could not be distinguished from high levels of partial resistance based on lesion length, oospore production, and infection frequency.     

Interactions Between the Soybean Cyst Nematode and Fusarium solani f. sp. glycines Based on Greenhouse Factorial Experiments

ABSTRACT The soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines, and the fungus that causes sudden death syndrome (SDS) of soybean, Fusarium solani f. sp. glycines, frequently co-infest soybean (Glycine max) fields. The interactions between H. glycines and F. solani f. sp. glycines were investigated in factorial greenhouse experiments with different inoculum levels of both organisms on a soybean cultivar susceptible to both pathogens. Measured responses included root and shoot dry weights, H. glycines reproduction, area under the SDS disease progress curve, and fungal colonization of roots. Both H. glycines and F. solani f. sp. glycines reduced the growth of soybeans. Reproduction of H. glycines was suppressed by high inoculum levels but not by low levels of F. solani f. sp. glycines. The infection of soybean roots by H. glycines did not affect root colonization by the fungus, as determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Although both pathogens reduced the growth of soybeans, H. glycines did not increase SDS foliar symptoms, and statistical interactions between the two pathogens were seldom significant.     

Transfer of insecticide residues to food stored on or near plywood impregnated with organochlorine insecticides

Formulations of aldrin and dieldrin have been used for a number of years to treat exposed timber components used in the construction of freight containers. The extent to which these insecticides migrate to foodstuffs stored on or near treated plywood has been examined under laboratory conditions and is reported here. A limited survey of organochlorine insecticide residues in samples of foodstuffs, taken from commercial loads carried in freight containers, indicated that residue levels are unlikely to present a health hazard.     

Organochlorine insecticide residues in bovine milk and manufactured milk products in Illinois, 1971-76.

Monitoring activities were initiated in 1971 to survey the occurence and levels of organochlorine insecticide residues in bovine milk and manufactured milk products in Illinois. Dieldrin residues were the most prevalent, and were found in 96 percent of the samples. Dieldrin also accounted for the highest average residue concentration (0.09 ppm). Only 0.3% of the samples contained illegal insecticide residues. Levels of DDT and lindane were generally declining, but those for dieldrin and heptachlor epoxide tended to remain constant.     

Studies on the sorption of organochlorine insecticides by flour stored on or near treated laminated timber or plywood as used in freight containers

Wood preservatives containing a number of organochlorine insecticides, including aldrin, dieldrin, chlordane and lindane, have been approved in Australia for treating timber used as structural components in cargo containers. Studies on the migration of these insecticides from treated laminated timber and plywood, using commercial containers and in the laboratory, are reported here. The highest insecticide residue levels were found in flour samples stored on newly treated laminated sawn timber. Physical pick-up of insecticide from the surface of the floor was considered to be the major source of contamination. Sorption of insecticides from the atmosphere of the container was the most likely source of contamination in samples stored on or near treated plywood.     

Glyphosate-resistant crops: adoption, use and future considerations

BACKGROUND: Glyphosate-resistant crops (GRCs) were first introduced in the United States in soybeans in 1996. Adoption has been very rapid in soybeans and cotton since introduction and has grown significantly in maize in recent years. GRCs have grown to over 74 million hectares in five crop species in 13 countries. The intent of this paper is to update the hectares planted and the use patterns of GRC globally, and to discuss briefly future applications and uses of the technology. RESULTS: The largest land areas of GRCs are occupied by soybean (54.2 million ha), maize (13.2 million ha), cotton (5.1 million ha), canola (2.3 million ha) and alfalfa (0.1 million ha). Currently, the USA, Argentina, Brazil and Canada have the largest plantings of GRCs. Herbicide use patterns would indicate that over 50% of glyphosate-resistant (GR) maize hectares and 70% of GR cotton hectares receive alternative mode-of-action treatments, while approximately 25% of GR soybeans receive such a treatment in the USA. Alternative herbicide use is likely driven by both agronomic need and herbicide resistance limitations in certain GR crops such as current GR cotton. Tillage practices in the USA indicate that > 65% of GR maize hectares, 70% of GR cotton hectares and 50% of GR soybean hectares received some tillage in the production system. Tillage was likely used for multiple purposes ranging from seed-bed preparation to weed management. CONCLUSION: GRCs represent one of the more rapidly adopted weed management technologies in recent history. Current use patterns would indicate that GRCs will likely continue to be a popular weed management choice that may also include the use of other herbicides to complement glyphosate. Stacking with other biotechnology traits will also give farmers the benefits and convenience of multiple pest control and quality trait technologies within a single seed.     

河南省大豆品种磷素营养特性的差异研究

采用盆栽试验,设置不施磷(P0)和施0.15 mg P2O5/kg土(P1)两个处理,研究了33个河南省地方性大豆品种磷素营养特性的差异,旨在为磷高效大豆种质资源的开发利用提供依据。结果表明:根据大豆品种不同磷营养性状进行聚类分析,可将磷胁迫条件下供试大豆品种分为3类,其中第一类品种(产量高、磷吸收量大、磷利用效率中等)综合磷营养性状值最优;磷充足条件下供试大豆品种可分为4类,其中第一类品种(籽粒产量高,磷吸收量大,磷利用效率较高)综合磷营养性状值最好。相关分析表明,大豆苗期与成熟期的磷吸收量之间的相关性达显著以上水平(P0,r=0.5096**;P1,r=0.3596*);大豆苗期,磷素吸收总量和植株生长量的相关性较高(P0,r=0.8124**;P1,r=0.8724**),对生长起决定作用;成熟期,磷素利用效率对籽粒产量的影响有所增加,但是磷素吸收总量对籽粒产量的影响仍大于磷素利用效率。     

Pesticide residue levels in soils and crops from 37 states, 1972--National Soils Monitoring Program (IV).

Residue data from the 1972 (FY--73) National Soils Monitoring Program are summarized. Composite samples of agricultural soil and mature crops were collected from 1,483 of the 1,533 selected 4-hectare sites in 37 states. Analyses were performed for organochlorine and organophosphorus compounds, trifluralin and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs); analysis for atrazine was performed only when pesticide application data indicated current-year use. Organochlorine pesticides were detected in 45 percent of the soil samples. The most frequently detected compound was dieldrin, found in 27 percent of all soil samples. Other compounds detected, in order of frequency, included DDT, aldrin, chlordane, and heptachlor epoxide, found, respectively, in 21, 9, 8, and 7 percent of all soil samples. Crop samples were collected from 727 sites. All were analyzed for organochlorines; analyses were performed for organophosphates and atrazine only when pesticide application data indicated current-year use. For all crops, 40 percent of the samples contained detectable levels of organochlorines and 10 percent contained detectable levels of organophosphates. Atrazine was not detected.     

Pesticide residue concentrations in soils of five United States cities, 1971--urban soils monitoring program.

Soil samples from five metropolitan areas including Baltimore, Maryland; Gadsden, Alabama; Hartford, Connecticut; Macon, Georgia; and Newport News, Virginia were analyzed for elemental arsenic, organochlorine pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). A representative number of samples were analyzed for organophosphorus pesticides, but none was detected. All areas exhibited heavy soil concentrations of organochlorine pesticides including sigma DDT, aldrin, dieldrin, photodieldrin, chlordane, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, endrin, endrin ketone, and endosulfan sulfate. PCBs were detected in three of the five metropolitan areas. Within the metropolitan areas, samples from the urban, or core city, locations generally had higher pesticide concentrations than did samples from suburban locations. Finally, pesticide residue concentrations were generally higher in soils of metropolitan areas than in nearby agricultural soils.