Effect of ammonium sulphate and related salts on the phytotoxicity of dichlorprop and other herbicides used for broadleaved weed control in cereals

In glasshouse experiments, additions of 10–100 g 1^?1 ammonium sulphate enhanced the phytotoxicity to broadleaved weeds and cereals of several water-soluble herbicides applied post-emergence in 75–300 1 ha^?1 with hydraulic nozzles. Studies with dichlorprop potassium salt and chickweed Stellaria media (L.) Vill. examined interactions between ammonium sulphate and environmental, application and formulation factors. Simulated rainfall immediately after spraying greatly reduced dichlorprop activity, whether or not ammonium sulphate was present. However, when there was an interval of 2–24 h between spraying and rainfall, the additive increased phytotoxicity. Surfactants tended to reduce dichlorprop phytotoxicity to Stellaria media, both in the presence and absence of ammonium sulphate. Certain other inorganic salts including sodium sulphate also enhanced phytotoxicity. Applications by rotary atomizer in very low spray volume (15 1 ha^?1, 250–280 μm drops) were less effective than conventional 150 1 ha^?1 applications. When very low volume application was used, addition of ammonium sulphate or nitrate tended to reduce activity further. In the field, ammonium sulphate significantly increased the effects against weeds of a commercial dichlorprop potassium salt formulation applied conventionally in 200 1 ha^?1 spray volume. Neutralized phosphoric acid had a similar effect but a mixture of this additive and ammonium sulphate reduced phytotoxicity. Both additives slightly increased dichlorprop injury to barley.     

A laboratory evaluation of the effectiveness of diflubenzuron against Dermestes maculatus De Geer and other storage insect pests

The chitin synthesis inhibitor diflubenzuron, applied as a wettable powder spray to woven polypropylene at 100–500 mg m^?2, was effective against Dermestes maculatus De Geer for at least 12 weeks. D. maculatus was unable to develop on ox hide dipped in a suspension of diflubenzuron (125 mg litre^?1), or on fishmeal dusted at 1–10 mg of active ingredient kg^?1. Diflubenzuron prevented the development of infestations of Callosobruchus maculatus (L.) on peas and of Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say) on beans dusted at 1–5 mg kg^?1. The compound was also very effective against early instar larvae of Trogoderma granarium Everts on wheat. The persistence and activity of diflubenzuron at low dosage rates against D. maculatus appear to justify larger scale trials.     

Interception and persistence of parathion and fenvalerate on cotton plants as a function of application method

Parathion (O,O-diethyl O-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate) and fenvalerate [(RS)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl (RS)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutyrate] were applied by controlled droplet applicators (CDAs) and conventional hydraulic nozzles in refined soybean oil, soybean oil + water, or water, to mature cotton plants (Gossypium hirsutum L.) as ULV (ultra-low volume, < 5 litre ha^?1), VLV(very low volume, 5-50 litre ha^?1), or LV(low volume, 50–200 litre ha^?1) carrier rates. The use of CDA or soybean oil applied as ULV and VLV sprays did not produce greater deposition or persistence for either insecticide during the 49-h test period following application. In general, insecticide persistence was greatest when applied with water or soybean oil + water as LV sprays using the conventional TX8 hydraulic nozzle.     

Effect of CGA 123407 as a safener for pretilachlor in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Recordings of elongation rates of single rice leaves

The elongation rates of single attached leaves of rice (Oryza saliva L.) were recorded. The effect of pretilachlor on the elongation rates and the safening effect of CGA 123407 [4, 6-dichloro-2-phenyl-pyrimidine] were evaluated. Both chemicals were applied to the roots in a nutrient solution. Pretilachlor reduced leaf elongation in concentrations as low as 300 μg^?1 (9–6 × 10^?7 M) but. for combination trials with the safener, 3 mg 1^?1 (9–6 × 10^?6 M) was used. in combination with pretilachlor the safener prevented damage in very low concentrations. The ratio of pretilachlor to safener, 30:1, was sufficient when both chemicals were given to roots in nutrient solution, although for field work the ratio of 3:1 is recommended. The safener alone did not influence the elongation rate of rice leaves in the concentrations used. When pretilachlor was given to the roots and CGA 123407 to the shoot, some delay in the herbicidal action was recorded but even with high concentrations of the safener no continuous safening effect was achieved. CGA 123407 was also effective when given previous to the herbicide. This proved true even with a 2-day interval between safener uptake and application of the herbicide. When pretilachlor was given first, the safener effected recovery to various degrees when given 1–4 days after the herbicide application. When pretilachlor was given for a limited period of time only (1–3 days) and was subsequently removed from the nutrient solution, recovery of the plant occurred. It is speculated that the safener either helps this recovery or else competitively prevents the herbicide from occupying the sites of action or from keeping them occupied for a long period of time.     

Effect of nitrogen fertilizer application on growth, biomass production and N-uptake of torpedograss (Panicum repens L.)

A glasshouse study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different rates (0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 kg ha^?1) of nitrogen (N) fertilizer application on the growth, biomass production and N‐uptake efficiency of torpedograss. The growth responses of torpedograss to the N application were significant throughout the observation periods. Torpedograss grown for 60 days obtained the highest total biomass of 23.0 g plant^?1 with an application of 200 kg ha^?1 N, followed by 20.4 g plant^?1 with an application of 100 kg ha^?1 N; when it was grown for 90 days a significantly higher biomass of 102.3–106.0 g plant^?1 was obtained with the 200–400 kg ha^?1 N than the biomass (68.0 g plant^?1) obtained with the fertilizer applied at a lower rate. When the torpedograss was grown for 130 days the highest biomass was 230.0 g plant^?1 with the 400 kg ha^?1 N application, followed by a biomass of 150.0 g plant^?1 with the 200 kg ha^?1 N application, but the above‐ground shoot in all treatments was over mature for animal food. The ratio of the above‐ground shoot to the underground part increased with the increase in N application up to 400 kg ha^?1 during the 90 days after planting (DAP), but the above‐ground shoot biomass was the same with the 200 and 400 kg ha^?1 N. The agronomic efficiency of the N application decreased to 5–38 with the increase in N application to 400 kg ha^?1, which was less than half the agronomic efficiency with the 200 kg ha^?1 N. The agronomic efficiency of N was very low (5–22) during the 60 DAP, which indicated that the N application would not be economically viable in this period for torpedograss as a pasture, and short‐duration plants could be cultivated in torpedograss‐infested fields to minimize weed‐crop competition. The nitrogen concentration (%) in the torpedograss increased with the increase in N application, but N‐uptake efficiency was the opposite and the value was very low with the 400 kg ha^?1 N. The above results lead us to conclude that the N application rate of 200 kg ha^?1 is the most effective for torpedograss growth.     

Untersuchungen über Sonchus arvensis L. III, Metabolismus von MCPA

Research on Sonchus arvensis L. III. Metabolism of MCPA Roots of Sonchus arvenis L. were injected with ¹⁴C-MCPA at the time of planting of the root sections and when the plants had leaves 3 cm, 5–7 cm and 12–15 cm long. After extraction with 70% ethanol and separation by thin layer chromatography, three components, termed 1, 2 and 3, were detected by scanning. Component 2 gave a chromatograph identical to MCPA and was probably the non-metabolized residue of the injected material. Component 3 appeared faster than component 1 but, when heated with 1 N HCl or 1 N NaOH, both of them yielded component 2 (MCPA). In this latter reaction the conversion of component 3 was again the fastest. The older the plants the more rapid was the metabolism of MCPA, the highest metabolic rate occurring in the main roots. In secondary roots and leaves this process occurred more slowly. Dormant roots were capable of metabolizing MCPA quite as well as non-dormant roots. Raising the temperature from 7^° to 23°C accelerated the metabolic process. The liberation of ¹⁴C0₂ proceeded very slowly. During a period of 4 days only 1.3% of the total radio-activity was released as ¹⁴CO₂. In biotests, with Raphanus sativus L. as test species, component 3 appeared to be as phytotoxic as component 2 (MCPA), whereas the more stable component 1 exhibited very low phytotoxicity.     

Infiltration-excess runoff properties of dryland floodplain soil types under simulated rainfall conditions

The study estimated infiltration-excess runoff properties of three floodplain soil-types under aquifer water management at Anglo American Kolomela Iron Ore mine in Postmasburg, Northern Cape Province of South Africa. Rainstorm regimes of amounts 60 (high), 30 (medium), and 15 (low) mm with respective intensities of 1.61, 0.52, and 0.27?mm min^?1 were simulated on 1 m² plot with 1% slope. Infiltration-excess runoff properties were affected by a rainstorm, but not soil-type. When combined with rainstorm, soil-type affected accumulative run-off rates. High rainstorm had different (p?≤?0.05) accumulative runoff rates (0.1–0.61?mm min^?1) and increased with clay content. Different response times of 4, 10, and 17?min for respective high, medium, and low rainstorms were quickest on higher clay plus silt content and bulk-density under high and lower rainstorms, respectively. Lower rainstorms had similar effects on accumulative runoff rates (0.01–0.05?mm min^?1), total runoff yield (0.59–18?mm), and runoff coefficients (4.29–18%). Under the high rainstorm, total runoff yields (11.4–25.8?mm) and runoff coefficients (19–42.9%) were different and increased with clay plus fine-silt content. Although simulated rainstorms had constant intensities, results showed high rainstorms to be of primal influence on infiltration-excess runoff. Clay plus silt content and bulk-density influenced infiltration-runoff properties for respective high and lower rainstorms. Apart from rainstorm characteristics, surface clay plus silt content and bulk-density are important for harnessing surface runoff in floodplains for aquifer recharge.     

Acute toxicity to zebrafish of two organophosphates and four pyrethroids and their binary mixtures

BACKGROUND: Environmental pollutants, including metals, pesticides and other organics, pose serious risks to many aquatic organisms. The acute toxicities to zebrafish (Brachydanio rerio Hamilton & Buchanan) were determined for two organophosphorus insecticides, four pyrethroid insecticides and 50:50 binary mixtures. RESULTS: At 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after treatment, LC₅₀ of permethrin, tetramethrin, bifenthrin, etofenprox, dichlorvos and phoxim to zebrafish were 0.0052–0.0025, 0.0782–0.0460, 0.0065–0.0032, 0.0969–0.0791, 51.3–13.0 and 1.28–0.469 mg L^?1 respectively. LC₅₀ of permethrin + dichlorvos, permethrin + phoxim, tetramethrin + dichlorvos, tetramethrin + phoxim, bifenthrin + dichlorvos, bifenthrin + phoxim, etofenprox + dichlorvos and etofenprox + phoxim were 0.0082–0.0046, 0.0078–0.0042, 0.264–0.124, 0.141–0.121, 0.0251–0.0154, 0.0154–0.0087, 0.396–0.217 and 0.213–0.0391 mg L^?1. CONCLUSION: Toxicity levels of all pyrethroid insecticides to the zebrafish were high or very high. The organophosphate dichlorvos showed low toxicity, but phoxim showed high or intermediate toxicities to zebrafish, and the toxicities of binary mixtures of permethrin and dichlorvos or phoxim, bifenthrin and dichlorvos or phoxim and etofenprox and phoxim (48, 72 and 96 h exposure) were very high. The toxicities of binary mixtures of tetramethrin and dichlorvos or phoxim, etofenprox and dichlorvos and etofenprox and phoxim (24 h exposure) were high. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Mode of action,crop selectivity,and soil relations of the sulfonylurea herbicides

The sulfonylurea herbicides are characterized by broad-spectrum weed control at very low use rates (c. 2–75 g ha^?1), good crop selectivity, and very low acute and chronic animal toxicity. This class of herbicides acts through inhibition of acetolactate synthase (EC 4.1.3.18; also known as acetohydroxyacid synthase), thereby blocking the biosynthesis of the branched-chain amino acids valine, leucine and isoleucine. This inhibition leads to the rapid cessation of plant cell division and growth. Crop-selective sulfonylurea herbicides have been commercialized for use in wheat, barley, rice, corn, soybeans and oilseed rape, with additional crop-selective compounds in cotton, potatoes, and sugarbeet having been noted. Crop selectivity results from rapid metabolic inactivation of the herbicide in the tolerant crop. Under growth-room conditions, metabolic half-lives in tolerant crop plants range from 1–5 h, while sensitive plant species metabolize these herbicides much more slowly, with half-lives > 20 h. Pathways by which sulfonylurea herbicides are inactivated among these plants include aryl and aliphatic hydroxylation followed by glucose conjugation, sulfonylurea bridge hydrolysis and sulfonamide bond cleavage, oxidative O-demethylation and direct conjugation with (homo)glutathione. Sulfonylurea herbicides degrade in soil through a combination of bridge hydrolysis and microbial degradation. Hydrolysis is significantly faster under acidic (pH 5) than alkaline (pH 8) conditions, allowing the use of soil pH as a predictor of soil residual activity. Chemical and microbial processes combine to give typical field dissipation half-lives of 1–6 weeks, depending on the soil type, location and compound. Very short residual sulfonylurea herbicides with enhanced susceptibility to hydrolysis (DPX-L5300) and microbial degradation (thifensulfuron-methyl) have been developed.     

Seed dynamics in populations of A vena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana

Seed populations of Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana (Durieu) Nyman were monitored in a naturally occurring infestation throughout its life cycle. Considering the large weed population present (298panicles m^?2), total seed production was relatively low: 3838 seeds m^?2. Only 68% of these seeds were recovered from the soil surface and a further 3% were removed with wheat grain and straw during harvest operations. The numbers of seeds from the stubble between mid-July and mid-September were relatively low (10%). Ploughing the stubble in October buried most of the recently produced seed rain and resulted in a relatively uniform vertical distribution of the seedbank. Maximum seed persistence in the soil ranged from 27 to 43 months (depending on the experimental technique used to do the study). Seed decline followed an exponential pattern on a yearly basis, with the greatest decline taking place between October and April (57–90% in year 1 and 10–40% in year 2), Between May and September the buried seed populations remained practically constant. Seedbank depletion was primarily due to seedling production (25%) and ‘lethal’ germination (24%). Although the depth of burial had very little effect on seed survival, the mode of seed disappearance was closely related to their depth in the soil. Seed depletion through ‘lethal’ germination increased with increasing depth in the soil, whereas depletion through seedling emergence decreased with increasing depth.     

Persistence and activity of mexacarbate and its metabolites against spruce budworm larvae

This study was conducted to determine if metabolites of mexacarbate contribute to its residual toxicity to spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) larvae. Potted white spruce (Picea glauca) trees were treated with ‘Zectran’ UCZF # 19 at 100 g a.i. ha^?1 and kept in a glasshouse. Mexacarbate residues declined by 98–99% within three days and reached non-detectable levels 10 days after treatment. Mortality of larvae fed on buds from these trees declined more gradually and was still 19–27% when exposed 10 days after treatment. The very low levels of mexacarbate (<0.07 μg g^?1) found after three days did not produce such mortality. Gas chromatographic analysis of metabolites in needles revealed that after three days, 4-methylformamido-3,5-xylyl N-methylcarbamate was present at levels 20–30 times higher than the parent compound. This metabolite was about 50 times less toxic than mexacarbate to larvae when applied topically but was only 7 times less toxic when ingested. Two other methylcarbamate metabolites, the amino, and methylamino analogues were detectable for one day following treatment but not at later time points. They were as toxic as mexacarbate both topically and orally. Based on these findings, the methylformamido analogue could contribute to the residual toxicity of mexacarbate treatments of spruce.     

Spray retention and distribution on apple trees

Total deposits and their distribution on bush and dwarf hedgerow apple trees, sprayed at the late dormant and full foliage stages with a copper fungicide by five different methods, were estimated by colorimetric determination of the acid-extracted copper from all the tree parts, and for comparison purposes were converted to equivalent volumes retained. The bush trees were sprayed by hand lance (4500 litresha-¹), by automatic nozzle mast sprayer (2250 litres ha^?1), by conventional air-blast sprayer at medium volume (1125 litres ha^?1) and low volume (560 litres ha^?1), and by hand-directed ultra-low-volume (ULVH) fan-assisted spinning-disc sprayer (6 litres ha^?1). The hedgerow trees were sprayed by conventional air-blast sprayer at low volume (560 litres ha^?1) and by an experimental tractor-mounted ultra-low-volume air-blast sprayer (45 litres ha^?1). At the late dormant stage, the bush trees retained only 9–22 % of the total spray applied by all methods, except that those sprayed by the hand-directed ULVH sprayer retained 57%. At the full foliage stage, when most of the spray was deposited on the leaves, retention for all methods of application was 22–37%. The hedgerow trees at late dormancy retained 6% of the spray applied in low volume and 10% of that by tractor-mounted ultra-low-volume methods, but at full foliage, retention was 25 and 63 %, respectively. On both types of tree the proportions of the spray deposited on the tree components were related to the surface areas of those components.     

Relation between volatility rating and composition of phenoxy herbicide ester formulations

A CIPAC/AOAC test with tomato plants is used to specify the volatility ratings of herbicide ester formulations. This work compares the tomato plant test with an alternative chemical one. The concentrations of esters and the effective molecular weight and density of each formulation were used with the ester vapour pressures to calculate its herbicide vapour pressure as complete, and evaporated formulations. The range was from 28.8 mPa (at 257deg;C) for a mixture of 2,4–D esters to 0–07 mPa (at 25°C) for a 2,4,5–T-(iso-octyl) formulation, as complete formulations, and 35-5 and 0–16 mPa (at 25°C) as evaporated ones. A value of 0–6 mPa (at 25°C) was selected on the basis of the tomato plant test as the cut-off area for low-volatile esters and is recommended to be included in specifications for herbicide esters. Formulations with a herbicide vapour pressure above 3.3 mPa (at 25°C) are high-volatile ones according to the tomato plant test, while between 0–6–3.3 mPa (at 25°C) is a borderline region where the test gives mixed results. Levels of 2,4–D-ethyl and methyl were added to pure 2–ethylhexyl esters of 2,4–D and a 2,4,5–T-(iso-octyl) formulation to find what level of contamination would change the rating of these esters from low to high volatile. Formulations of 2,4–D-(iso-octyl) should not contain more than 11 g litre^?1 2,4–D as methyl ester or 2.0 g litre^?1 2,4–D as ethyl ester. Formulations of 2,4,5–T-(iso-octyl) should not contain more than 26 g litre^?1 2,4–D as methyl ester or 4.7g litre^?1 2,4–D as ethyl ester.     

Low doses of glyphosate change the responses of soyabean to subsequent glyphosate treatments

Many herbicides promote plant growth at doses well below the recommended application rate (hormesis). The objectives of this study were to evaluate glyphosate‐induced hormesis in soyabean (Glycine max) and determine whether pre‐treating soyabean seedlings with low doses of glyphosate would affect their response to subsequent glyphosate treatments. Seven doses (1.8–720 g a.e. ha^?1) of glyphosate were applied to 3‐week‐old seedlings, and the effects on the electron transport rate (ETR), metabolite (shikimate, benzoate, salicylate, AMPA, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan) levels and dry weight were determined. The lowest dose stimulated ETR and increased biomass the most. Benzoate levels increased 203% with 3.6 g a.e. ha^?1 glyphosate. Salicylate content and tyrosine content were unaffected, whereas phenylalanine and tryptophan levels were increased by 60 and 80%, respectively, at 7.2 g a.e. ha^?1. Dose–response curves for these three amino acids were typical for hormesis. In another experiment that was replicated twice, soyabean plants were pre‐treated with low doses of glyphosate (1.8, 3.6 or 7.2 g a.e. ha^?1) and treated with a second application of glyphosate (1.8, 3.6, 7.2, 36, 180 or 720 g a.e. ha^?1) 14 days later. For total seedling dry weight, a 3.6 and 7.2 g a.e. ha^?1 glyphosate dose preconditioned the soyabean seedlings to have greater growth stimulation by a later glyphosate treatment than plants with no preconditioning glyphosate exposure. Optimal hormetic doses were generally higher with pre‐treated plants than plants that had not been exposed to glyphosate. Thus, pre‐exposure to low doses of glyphosate can change the hormetic response to later low‐dose exposures.     

Influence of herbicide application rate and timings for post-emergence control of Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. maize

Field experiments were carried out in Greece from 1990 to 1992 to study the effect of application timing and rate of nicosulfuron and rimsulfuron on Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. control and maize yield. All herbicide rates are given in terms of active ingredient (a.i.). Nicosulfuron applied at 22.5, 30.0 and 37.5 g ha^?1 to S. halepense at height 20–35 cm provided greater than 93% control 90 days after treatment, while rimsulfuron applied at 7.5,10.0 and 12.5 g ha^?1 resulted in 81–91% control. Split applications of nicosulfuron and rimsulfuron, as well as tank-mixtures of nicosulfuron+rimsulfuron, gave 91–94% control. Maize yield in all herbicide treatments was greater than that of the weed-infested control and similar to that of the hand-weeded control. S. halepense control with nicosulfuron and rimsulfuron applied to plants 20–35 cm tall was greater than that obtained with their application to plants 5–15, 10–20 or 35–60 cm tall. Rates of 10 and 20 g ha^?1 of rimsulfuron provided control of S. halepense similar to or significantly lower than that achieved with 30 and 60 g ha^?1 of nicosulfuron, respectively. Maize yield produced by all herbicide treatments applied at any time was significantly greater than that of the weed-infested control.     

Uptake by tomato plants of the herbicide [14C] 2,4-D-butyl in the vapour phase

Uptake of [¹⁴C-phenyl]2,4-D-butyl by 4- to 6-week-old tomato plants was measured for vapour concentrations in the range 0.3–19 ng litre^?1, for an exposure period of 4 h. Calculation of boundary layer thicknesses at the surface of the leaves, and depletion of the vapour concentration due to uptake by the plants, suggested that the plants experienced concentrations very close to the nominal values. Relationships between external vapour concentration and plant uptake, expressed in terms of fresh weight, leaf area, or on a whole plant basis, were linear in all cases. Twenty-four hours after the commencement of exposure, leaves contained 63–93% of the total herbicide in the plant; the proportion retained by the leaves was greater at low vapour concentrations. The largest amount of herbicide was present in leaves from the mid-position on the stem, but in terms of leaf area, the amount was greatest in leaves at the apex and decreased basipetally. It is not known whether this was due to a greater uptake rate per leaf area at the apex, or to translocation. As visible symptoms of phytotoxicity usually develop at the apex, both of these processes, together with the preferential retention of herbicide in leaves at low vapour concentrations, may all contribute to the development of vapour damage.     

Selection of global Metarhizium isolates for the control of the rice pest Nilaparvata lugens (Homoptera: Delphacidae)

BACKGROUND: This study was initiated to search for fungal candidates for microbial control of brown planthopper (BPH) Nilaparvata lugens Stål, to which little attention has been paid in the past two decades. RESULTS: Thirty‐five isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin and M. flavoviride Gams & Rozsypal from different host insects worldwide were bioassayed for their lethal effects against third‐instar BPH nymphs at 25 °C and a 14:10 h light:dark photoperiod at ca 1000 conidia mm^?2. On day 9 post‐treatment, mortality attributable to mycosis ranged from 6.5 to 64.2% and differed significantly among the tested isolates with no apparent relationship to their host origin. Only two BPH‐derived M. anisopliae isolates from the Philippines (ARSEF456) and Indonesia (ARSEF576) killed > 50% of the nymphs. Both isolates were further bioassayed for time–concentration–mortality responses of the nymphs to the sprays of 19–29, 118–164 and 978–1088 conidia mm^?2 in repeated bioassays. The resultant data fitted a time–concentration–mortality model very well. Their LC₅₀ values were estimated as 731 and 1124 conidia mm^?2 on day 7 and fell to 284 and 306 conidia mm^?2, respectively, on day 10. CONCLUSION: The two M. anisopliae isolates are potential biocontrol agents of BPH for further research. This is the first report of the lethal effects of global Metarhizium isolates on the rice pest. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Accumulation of endosulfan residues in fish and their predators after aerial spraying for the control of tsetse fly in Botswana

Residues of endosulfan insecticide (α- and β-isomers, and ‘endosulfan sulphate’) in fish and their predators were measured during and after operations to control tsetse fly in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Six ultra-low-volume doses of endosulfan 35% e.c. (6–12 g a.i. ha^?1) were applied from the air in a period of 12 weeks over 2500 km². The concentration of residues found in living fish was up to 0.19 mg kg^?1 wet wt in caudal muscle, and usually < 0.8 mg kg^?1 wet wt in pooled viscera (maximum 2.8 mg kg^?1). These values returned to near-normal within 3 months after cessation of spraying, but residues were still detectable after 12 months. By comparison, fish killed by spraying contained a maximum residue level (whole-body) of 1.5 mg kg^?1 wet wt. The residue level in fish was approximately proportional to their fat content. Lean fish were more susceptible to poisoning than fat fish. The proportion of the ‘endosulfan sulphate’ metabolite in fish increased at least six times with respect to the parent isomers (α+β) during the period of spraying, but more advanced stages of metabolic breakdown were not monitored. Residue levels in fish predators (fish-eating birds and crocodiles) were similar to those in their prey, and the risk to them was consequently low.     

Insecticidal activities of leaf and twig essential oils from Clausena excavata against Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus larvae

BACKGROUND: The current study investigates, for the first time, the mosquito larvicidal activities of leaf and twig essential oils from Clausena excavata Burm. f. and their individual constituents against Aedes aegypti L. and Aedes albopictus Skuse larvae. The yields of essential oils obtained from hydrodistillation were compared, and their constituents were determined by GC‐MS analyses. RESULTS: The LC₅₀ values of leaf and twig essential oils against fourth‐instar larvae of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus were 37.1–40.1 µg mL^?1 and 41.1–41.2 µg mL^?1 respectively. This study demonstrated that C. excavata leaf and twig essential oils possess mosquito larvicidal activity, inhibiting the growth of mosquito larvae for both species at a low concentration. In addition, results of larvicidal assays showed that the effective constituents in leaf and twig essential oils were limonene, γ‐terpinene, terpinolene, β‐myrcene, 3‐carene and p‐cymene. The LC₅₀ values of these constituents against both mosquito larvae were below 50 µg mL^?1. Among these effective constituents, limonene had the best mosquito larvicidal activity, with LC₅₀ of 19.4 µg mL^?1 and 15.0 µg mL^?1 against Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus larvae respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings suggested that the essential oils from Clausena excavata leaf and twig and their effective constituents may be explored as a potential natural larvicide. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

New trends in orchard spraying1

Since the early part of the century, a steady move in England towards lower volume spraying of orchards has coincided with the progressive introduction of improved spraying techniques. In recent years many growers have adopted very low volume (VLV) spraying (50 litre ha^-1) using spinning-disc nozzles with greatly reduced dose rates, often only 25% of the product label recommendation. On well managed farms, this method of spraying has been successful for several years and considerable savings have been made in pesticide use and labour for spraying. On other farms there have been pest and disease control problems but few growers have reverted to spraying at conventional volume or pesticide rates. Trials evidence from the UK and the Netherlands shows the VLV reduced dose-rate spraying technique to be generally less effective than conventional spraying but usually sufficiently effective for commercial purposes. In the Netherlands a compromise method of low volume spraying (150–200 litre ha^-1) is being adopted on the recommendation of research and advisory services. This method of spraying is gaining popularity in England. Unfortunately, the method of application stipulated on product labels is usually restricted to a minimum water volume and a pesticide dose per ha. It might be desirable for experimental work for registration purposes to be done to explore optimum application methods for individual pesticides. This information on labels, in a simple form, might lead to the more efficient use of pesticides as well as reflecting the range of application methods in use in the industry.