Persistence of methazole activity in soil

Methazole [2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazolidine-3,5-dione] was applied post-emergence at 2-1 kg/ha to crops of onion (Allium cepa L.) grown on a sandy loam and the activity present in the surface 0–5 cm of soil assessed by bioassay. In spring-sown crops, activity at harvest varied from 25 to 78% of the initial acitivity in different years; losses were restricted by low temperature and low rainfall. In autumn-sown crops, little loss occurred during winter and most of the activity remained in the surface 0-5 cm. The results emphasize the need for caution in choice and timing of following crops.     

Persistence of bromoxynil in three soil types

The persistence of bromoxynil octanoate has been studied in clay loam, fen peat and sand soils. Application of the herbicide at 1.12 kg/ha (16 oz/acre) active ingredient, as the octanoate, produced mean initial residues of 0.91,0.53 and 0.35 mg/ litre in the clay, peat and sand respectively, but declined to below the level of detection, 0.11, 0.09 and 0.14 mg/litre in the clay, peat and sand after 28, 44 and 14 days respectively. The rate of decline was inversely related to the sum of the organic matter and clay components of the soils.     

Persistence and movement of ethofumesate in soil*

Persistence of ethofumesate [(±)2-ethoxy-2.3-dihydro-3,3-dimethylbenzofuran-5-yl-methansulphonate] in soil was associated with soil temperature. Ethofumesate applied at 4.5 kg/ha in November persisted about twice as long in soil as that applied the following March. In another field study, 88–91% of the herbicide had dissipated after 24 weeks in sandy loam soil, compared to 72–77% in loam soil when it was applied at rates of 2.2, 3.4, 4.5, and 9.0 kg/ha. The rate of degradation was independent of the initial rate of chemical applied. The time required for 50% of the herbicide to dissipate in sandy loam and loam soils was 7.7 and 12.6 weeks, respectively. The movement of ethofumesate in these two soils over a 24-weeks sampling period was confined mainly to the upper 7.5 cm of the soil profile.     

Comparative tolerance of some dicotyledons to pronamide and chlorpropham

In laboratory tests with 115 species of dicotyledons, the concentration of pronamide in water for 50% inhibition of root elongation ranged from 0.03 to >8 parts/million. With certain exceptions, species within a family responded similarly. Polygonaceae and Caryophyllaceae were the most susceptible and Compositae the most tolerant, as they were also to chlorpropham. There was good correspondence between the test results and the relative susceptibility of species to pre-emergence application in the field.     

Persistence of 2,4,5-T in a heavy clay soil

The persistence of the herbicide 2,4,5-T was studied at different controlled temperatures and moisture levels in Regina heavy clay. Degradation approximated to first-order kinetics and the half-life varied from about 4 days at 35°C and 34% soil moisture to about 60 days at 10°C and 20% soil moisture. The laboratory data were used in conjunction with the appropriate measurements of surface soil temperature and moisture content in the field to simulate the degradation pattern for the herbicide in five separate micro-plot experiments. Satisfactory agreement with the observed patterns of loss was obtained in two of the experiments but in the other three, the model over-estimated rates of loss. It is suggested that the reason for this was the difficulty of obtaining a correct measure of soil moisture content to use in the simulation program.     

Persistence and management of enhanced carbetamide biodegradation in soil

The extent of enhanced degradation of the herbicide carbetamide declined over time after herbicide application was discontinued. The kinetics of carbetamide degradation were determined in the same soil for three consecutive years (1994–96) after single annual applications from 1989 to 1992. The DT₅₀ of carbetamide increased from 5.4 d in 1994 to 10.2 d in 1996. However, this was still less than the DT₅₀ in previously untreated soil (23–44 d). A most probable number (MPN) assay demonstrated a link between carbetamide degradation rate and the numbers of micro-organisms capable of carbetamide mineralization. Degradation of six other herbicides was assayed in the carbetamide-pretreated and the previously untreated soils. Propham was the only herbicide which degraded more rapidly in the soil with a history of carbetamide application. Rapid degradation of chlorpropham, a herbicide structurally similar to carbetamide and propham, and propyzamide, a herbicide with similar mode of action and weed control spectrum, was not observed. The results suggest that enhanced biodegradation of carbetamide can be managed by less frequent carbetamide application as a part of a herbicide rotation involving compounds which are structurally dissimilar.     

Persistence and leaching of beta-cyfluthrin in alluvial soil of India

Persistence as affected by rate of application and moisture regimes and leaching of beta-cyfluthrin was studied in alluvial soil under laboratory conditions. The effects of rate of application and moisture regimes on persistence were studied by incubating fortified soil at 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 mg kg(-1) under air-dry, field capacity and submerged moisture regimes. The initial deposits of 0.09, 1.11 and 10.1 mg kg(-1) dissipated with time and 78.4-100% loss was recorded at 90 days. The half-life values varied from 7.8 to 41.8 days. The rate of dissipation decreased as the rate of application increased under field capacity and submerged conditions. However, under air-dry conditions, the effect was less pronounced, and half-life values showed a reverse trend. Persistence of beta-cyfluthrin under different moisture regimes followed the trend: air-dry > field capacity > submerged. The trend could be attributed to the effect of moisture on number and type of microbes. Leaching was studied in a packed soil column under saturated flow conditions. beta-Cyfluthrin was found to be highly immobile in alluvial soil. No residues were detected in any leachate fraction under the experimental conditions. In column soil, residues were detected at 0-10 cm depth and the major amount (>99%) was recovered from 0-5 cm depth. Although beta-cyfluthrin showed moderate persistence in alluvial soil, the possibility of its leaching to ground water is negligible as a result of its immobility.     

Persistence of benfluralin in soil and its uptake by carrots

Analytical methods are described for the determination of residues of benfluralin in soil and carrots. All plots treated with 1.3 or 1.9 kg benfluralin/ha produced average carrot yields significantly higher than untreated plots. Degradation of benfluralin in soil was very slow during the winter. As the temperature rose, the rate of benfluralin decline was accelerated; 324 days after incorporation, benfluralin residues were reduced to about 11 and 14% of the applied dose. The average total residues of benfluralin found in whole carrots were 210 ± 18 and 240 ± 47 ng/g following doses of 1.3 and 1.9 kg a.i./ha respectively. The peel of carrots contained 92% of the total residue, and there seemed to be little translocation of the compound through the plant tissues.     

Persistence of benomyl and thiophanate compounds in soil and various plants following soil application

Control ofSclerotinia sclerotiorum in muskmelons was obtained by a single soil drench with benomyl. The material was found in the apical parts of the plant and in the soil until the end of the growing season. Benomyl [methyl l-(butylcarbamoyl)-2-benzi-midazolecarbamate] and thiophanate methyl-NF 44 [1.2- bis (3 methoxycarbonyl-2-thioureido) benzene], applied to seedbeds, were taken up by and then persisted in tomato, pepper and eggplant for approximately 8 weeks after application. Thiophanate-NF 35 [1.2-bis (ethoxycarbonyl-2-thioureido) benzene] could be detected only in the bottom leaves of pepper and eggplant, for up to 4 weeks after application.     

Persistence of pyrazosulfuron in rice-field and laboratory soil under Indian tropical conditions

BACKGROUND: Pyrazosulfuron ethyl, a new rice herbicide belonging to the sulfonylurea group, has recently been registered in India for weed control in rice crops. Many field experiments revealed the bioefficacy of this herbicide; however, no information is available on the persistence of this herbicide in paddy soil under Indian tropical conditions. Therefore, a field experiment was undertaken to investigate the fate of pyrazosulfuron ethyl in soil and water of rice fields. Persistence studies were also carried out under laboratory conditions in sterile and non‐sterile soil to evaluate the microbial contribution to degradation. RESULTS: High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of pyrazosulfuron ethyl gave a single sharp peak at 3.41 min. The instrument detection limit (IDL) for pyrazosulfuron ethyl by HPLC was 0.1 µg mL^?1, with a sensitivity of 2 ng. The estimated method detection limit (EMDL) was 0.001 µg mL^?1 and 0.002 µg g^?1 for water and soil respectively. Two applications at an interval of 10 days gave good weed control. The herbicide residues dissipated faster in water than in soil. In the present study, with a field‐soil pH of 8.2 and an organic matter content of 0.5%, the pyrazosulfuron ethyl residues dissipated with a half‐life of 5.4 and 0.9 days in soil and water respectively. Dissipation followed first‐order kinetics. Under laboratory conditions, degradation of pyrazosulfuron ethyl was faster in non‐sterile soil (t_1/2 = 9.7 days) than in sterile soil (t_1/2 = 16.9 days). CONCLUSION: Pyrazosulfuron ethyl is a short‐lived molecule, and it dissipated rapidly in field soil and water. The faster degradation of pyrazosulfuron in non‐sterile soil than in sterile soil indicated microbial degradation of this herbicide. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Persistence of terbacil and trifluralin under different soil and climatic conditions

Soil samples were collected from forty-three field trials conducted on ten soil types to investigate the residual activity of terbacil and trifluralin at the end of the cropping season, approximately 6 months after application. The soil was bioassayed in a glasshouse using soya beans and German millet for terbacil and trifluralin respectively. At 1 kg/ha terbacil phytotoxic residues occurred in a majority of the trials, while at 2 kg/ha such a carry-over could be found in every case. Trifluralin doses of up to 1 kg/ha did not persist in toxic amounts in most soils, while application of 2 kg/ha showed residual activity in 74% of the trials and application of 4 kg/ha killed German millet in all instances. Results are also presented from the time-rate dissipation studies conducted on both herbicides by assaying soil samples collected at monthly intervals. Both organic matter and clay content of the trial sites affected the persistence of terbacil, while trifluralin residues were influenced only by the soil organic matter content. Trial sites receiving high rainfall showed considerably less residues of terbacil, but the persistence of trifluralin was not affected by rainfall to any appreciable extent.     

Persistence of the fungicides thiabendazole, carbendazim and prochloraz-Mn in mushroom casing soil

The persistence of the fungicides thiabendazole, carbendazim and prochloraz-Mn in mushroom casing soil was determined following their application at rates commonly used in the UK mushroom industry. Following drench applications, the concentration of all active ingredients was always higher in the top half of the casing soil layer than in with the bottom half. When carbendazim and prochloraz-Mn were applied using half the recommended volume of water per unit area, there was a tendency for carbendazim concentrations to be even higher in the top half of the casing soil, compared with the standard treatment, while concentrations of prochloraz-Mn were similar, irrespective of the volume of water used. Carbendazim and prochloraz-Mn concentrations in the top half of the casing layer decreased to < or = 13 mg kg(-1) by day 28/29, following different applications, whereas the thiabendazole concentration was consistently high during the course of the crop, being < or = 83 mg kg(-1) at day 31. Fungicides that do not persist at high concentrations in mushroom casing soil for the duration of the crop may not give good control of mushroom pathogens, particularly if the fungicide concentration falls to a level which is close to the EC50 value.     

Persistence of dichlobenil in a sandy soil and effects of residues on plant growth

The persistence of dichlobenil following the application of dichlobenil granules was studied in a replicated plot experiment including both surface and incorporated treatments of 8·3 and 16·6 kg/ha ai. Soil analyses showed an initial half-life of about 4 weeks but the persistence increased with time and a year after application the half-life was about 1 year. Incorporation of the granules into the soil markedly increased the persistence of dichlobenil and its metabolite dichlorobenzamide. The most sensitive crop was carrot which was damaged by residues of only 1–2% of the recommended dose. Residues phytotoxic to carrots persisted for 2 years from the 8·3 kg/ha surface application and 5 years from the 18·6 kg/ha incorporated application. Lettuce was also highly sensitive to residues.     

Persistence and movement of terbacil in peach orchard soil after repeated annual applications*

Terbacil (5-chloro-6-methyl-3-butyluracil) residues did not accumulate in peach orchard soil after seven consecutive annual spring applications of the herbicide at the rate of 4.5 kg/ha although carry-over of terbacil from year to year occurred. Terbacil was lost by degradation and leaching and the time required for a 50% decrease in surface soil concentration was 5–7 months in the sandy loam soil. The major part of the residues was found in the upper 15 cm of the soil profile and smaller amounts were detected to a depth of 60 cm. Terbacil leached readily in prepared columns of sandy loam soil in proportion to the amount of water added. The residual levels of terbacil in the orchard were phytotoxic to oats planted 3 years after the last application.     

Persistence and mobility of chlorsulfuron and metsulfuron under different soil and climatic conditions

The persistence and mobility of chlorsulfuron and metsulfuron were studied in Italy at four field locations. Chlorsulfuron was applied pre-emer-gence to wheat at 15 and 30 g a.i. ha^?1 in the autumn of 1986 and metsulfuron early post-emergence at 8 g a.i. ha^?1 in the spring of 1987. Soil samples were taken periodically at each location for 1 year. Trials were conducted until 1989 at three locations. After the wheat harvest in 1989, chlorsulfuron and metsulfuron residues in the soil were measured by bioassay in plots that had been treated annually for 3 years and also in plots that had received single treatments. Chlorsulfuron at both application rates dissipated to levels below 0.3 g a.i. ha^?1 over 12 months at three locations while, at the fourth, which received only 250 mm rain during the study, significant levels of residues were still present after 15 months. The degradation of chlorsulfuron applied at 30 g a.i. ha^?1 followed first-order kinetics, with half-lives of 149, 70, 59 and 51 days at the four locations. Chlorsulfuron mobility was high at three locations while, in the silty clay soil of the fourth, the herbicide was confined to the upper 30 cm, despite the high rainfall. Metsulfuron applied in spring was detected only in the first soil sample collection. It was present in all sampled layers at one location but, in the others, was confined to the surface layer. There was no evidence of herbicide accumulation in the soil with repeated applications. Persistance et mobilité du chlorsulfuron et du met-sulfuron dans différents sols et sous différentes conditions climatiques La persistance et la mobilité du chorsulfuron et du metsulfuron au champ ont étéétudiées en Italie sur quatre sites. Le chlorsulfuron était appliqué en pré-levée sur le blé aux doses de matière active (m.a.) 15 et 30 g ha^?1à l'automne 1986 et le metsulfuron en post-levée précoce à la dose 8 g m.a. ha^?1 au printemps 1987. Des échantillons de sol étaient prélevés périodiquement sur chaque site pendant 1 an. Les essais ont été conduits jusqu'en 1989 sur trois des sites. En 1989, après la récolte du blé. les résidus de chlorsulfuron et de metsulfuron dans le sol ont été mesurés par des essais biologiques dans des parcelles qui avaient été traitées chaque année pendant 3 ans, ainsi que dans des parcelles qui n'avaient reçu qu'un seul traitement. Le chlorsulfuron aux deux doses disparaissait jusqu'à des niveaux inférieurs à 0.3 g m.a. ha^?1 en 12 mois sur trois des sites, alors que sur le quatrième, qui n'a reçu que 250 mm de précipitations pendant l'étude, des résidus étaient présents en quantité significative après 15 mois. La dégradation du chlorsulfuron appliquéà la dose 30 g m.a. ha^?1 suivait une cinétique du premier ordre, avec des demi-vies 149, 70, 59 et 51 j sur les quatre sites. La mobilité du chlorsulfuron était élevée sur trois des sites alors que sur le quatrième oú le sol était une argile limoneuse, l'herbicide était confiné aux 30 cm superficiels en dépit de précipitations élevées. Le metsulfuron appliqué au printemps n'était détecté que dans le premier prélèvement. Sur un des sites, il était présent dans toutes les couches, mais était confinéà la couche superficielle sur les autres sites. Après des applications répétées, aucune accumulation d'herbicide n'était observée dans le sol. Persistenz und Mobilität von Chlorsulfuron und Metsulfuron in verschiedenen Böden und bei unterschiedlicher Witterung Die Persistenz und Mobilität von Chlorsulfuron und Metsulfuron wurden in Italien an 4 Standorten unter Freilandbedingungen untersucht. Chlorsulfuron wurde im Herbst 1986 bei Weizen im Vorauflauf mit 15 und 30 g AS ha^?1 und Metsulfuron im Frühjahr 1987 im frühen Nachauflauf mit 8 g AS ha^?1 angewandt. Von jeder Versuchsfläche wurden über einen Zeitraum von 1 Jahr periodisch Bodenproben entnommen. Die Versuche wurden an 3 Standorten bis 1989 durchgeführt. Nach der Weizenernte 1989 wurden mit Biotests die Rückstände von Chlorsulfuron und Metsulfuron in den Böden mit jährlicher (über 3 Jahre) sowie mit einmaliger Behandlung bestimmt. Die Chlorsulfuron-Rückstände nahmen an 3 Standorten bei beiden Aufwandmengen nach 12 Monaten auf 0,3 g AS ha^?1 ab. Am 4. Standort, wo während der Untersuchung nur 250 mm Niederschlag gefallen waren, wurden nach 15 Monaten noch signifikante Rückstände gefunden. Der Abbau von Chlorsulfuron folgte an allen Standorten bei einer Aufwandmenge von 30 g AS ha^?1 einer Kinetik erster Ordnung mit Halbwertszeiten von 149, 70, 59 und 51 Tagen. Die Mobilität von Chlorsulfuron war an 3 Standorten hoch, während es in dem schluffigen Tonboden des 4. Standortes trotz hohen Niederschlags in den oberen 30 cm verblieb. Das im Frühjahr ausgebrachte Metsulfuron wurde nur in der 1. Bodenprobenserie gefunden. An einem Standort lagen in allen beprobten Bodenschichten Rückstände vor, doch sonst waren sie auf die oberste Bodenschicht beschränkt. Bei wiederholter Anwendung konnte keine Herbizidakkumulation im Boden festgestellt werden.     

Persistence and mobility of tebufenozide in forest litter and soil ecosystems under field and laboratory conditions

A field microcosm study was conducted to determine persistence of tebufenozide, an insect growth regulator, in sandy litter and soil. Litter and soil plots (c. 4·5 m² each) were sprayed with an aqueous suspension concentrate formulation of tebufenozide at rates of 35, 70 and 140 g AI ha^-1. Samples were collected at intervals up to 408 days after spraying, and analyzed for tebufenozide residues. The data were subjected to regression analysis and half-life (DT₅₀, the time required for 50% of the initial residues to disappear) values were computed. The DT₅₀ was c. 62 days for both substrates treated with the two lower dosage rates. At the highest dosage rate, the DT₅₀ was 115 days for the litter and c. 52 days for the soil, indicating irregular variations in persistence. Downward movement in soil occurred only in trace amounts, suggesting strong adsorption. Laboratory microcosm studies were conducted to investigate the relative importance of rainfall, exposure to light and volatilization on persistence. Vertical movement occurred in litter and soil (both sandy and clay types) during rainfall. The amount moved increased with the amount of rainfall, but decreased with the rain-free period. The larger the rain droplets, the greater the downward movement. When the rainwater could move laterally along the surface of the substrate (as would occur on a slope), more lateral movement than vertical movement of tebufenozide occurred. The photolysis study indicated that disappearance of tebufenozide was directly related to the duration of exposure to radiation and radiation intensity. Volatilization of tebufenozide depended upon the ambient temperature and the duration of air passing through the substrates. Nonetheless, the amount lost by volatilization was much lower than the amount lost after rainfall or exposure to radiation, thus indicating the greater influence of rainfall and sunlight on persistence. In the laboratory microcosm studies, more tebufenozide was lost from the sandy substrates than from the clay substrates. This behaviour was attributed to the greater adsorptive capacity of the clay substrates, thus providing a greater protection against downward mobility and loss due to radiation. © 1997 SCI     

Comparison of trifluralin,oryzalin, pronamide,propham, and colchicine treatments on microtubules

The mode of action of trifluralin (α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine), oryzalin (3,5-dinitro-N⁴,N⁴-dipropylsulfanilamide), pronamide(N-(1,1-dimethylpropynyl) 3,5-dichlorobenzamide), and propham (isopropyl carbanilate) on purified microtubules from pig brains and on the ultrastructure of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. “Mediterranean,” C. I. 5303) and corn (Zea mays L. “yellow dent, U. S. 13”) roots was compared with that known for colchicine. Colchicine disrupts the in vivo cortical and spindle microtubules of root cells. Like colchicine, the herbicides trifluralin, oryzalin, and pronamide caused the loss of both cortical and spindle microtubules of root cells. The rate of microtubule disappearance depended on the type of herbicide and length of exposure of roots to the herbicide. Unlike colchicine, cortical microtubules were present in propham-treated roots but they were disoriented within the cell.In vitro polymerization studies with pig brain microtubules (Sus scrofa) showed that the herbicides failed to inhibit the assembly of purified microtubular protein into microtubules and that radioactively labeled herbicides did not bind to the microtubular protein. Colchicine inhibited the polymerization of microtubular protein and readily bound to the microtubular subunits. These results indicate that the mode of action of the herbicides is not similar to that of colchicine and that the loss of microtubules from root tip cells treated with trifluralin, oryzalin, and pronamide may be caused by these herbicides interfering with synthesis of microtubular protein or metabolism of endoplasmic reticulum membranes involved in microtubule assembly. The mode of action of propham appears to be on the microtubular organizing centers rather than on microtubules per se.     

Persistence of hexachlorocyclohexane isomers and carbofuran applied to surface and sub-surface layers of a flooded soil

The persistence of carbofuran (2, 3-dihydro-2, 2-dimethylbenzofuran-7-yl methylcarbamate) and the β- and γ-isomers of HCH (hexachlorocyclohexane) applied to surface (oxidised) and sub-surface (reduced) layers of a flooded soil was studied using radiolabelled insecticides. In one experiment, these compounds were placed in the surface (2–5 mm) and sub-surface (10–15 cm) layers of 10-day flooded soil columns. HCH isomers were unstable under flooded soil conditions irrespective of their placement, but disappeared slightly faster when applied to the sub-surface layer, possibly due to the more reduced conditions prevailing. In contrast, sub-surface-applied carbofuran was more stable than surface-applied carbofuran. The decreased stability of surface-applied carbofuran may be due to a relatively higher pH in the surface layer and in the flood water which was in immediate contact with the surface layer. In another experiment, surface and sub-surface soil samples were collected from a rice field which had been flooded for 30 days. These soils were then again flooded under laboratory conditions prior to addition of carbofuran and β-HCH. Upon submergence, both surface and sub-surface soil samples attained almost equally reduced conditions. In flooded surface soil samples, more rapid degradation not only of carbofuran but also of β-HCH occurred, compared with similarly incubated sub-surface soil samples.     

Persistence of chlorfenvinphos in soils

The persistence and behaviour of chlorfenvinphos, an organophosphorus insecticide, was studied on different soils. On a peaty soil the insecticide was only very slowly degraded, there being 70% of the applied dose remaining after 21 weeks and 30% after nearly 12 months. On the sandy soils, however, persistence was much shorter; between 3 and 15% of the applied dose remained after a period of 15 weeks. Rates of loss appear to be related to soil moisture conditions; in dry seasons, although the initial rate of loss was high, subsequent rate of breakdown was slower than in wetter seasons. The results are discussed relative to the efficiency of the insecticide for controlling brassica root fly.