Phytotoxic activity of clomeprop in soil and concentration of its hydrolysed metabolite DMPA in soil water

The relationship between the fate of clomeprop in soil and its phytotoxic activity on the growth of radish (Raphanus sativus) seedlings was investigated in the laboratory. The phytotoxic activity of clomeprop in sea sand was much higher than in non-autoclaved soil, and the phytotoxic activity in non-autoclaved soil was higher than in autoclaved soil. The phytotoxic activity of 2-(2,4-dichloro-3-methylphenoxy)propionic acid (DMPA), a hydrolysed metabolite of clomeprop, was higher than that of the latter under both soil conditions. Clomeprop was adsorbed on soil to a greater extent than DMPA. The concentration of clomeprop in soil water of non-autoclaved soil decreased with increase of the DMPA concentration in the soil water in a time-dependent manner. It is suggested that the phytotoxic activity of clomeprop applied to soil is induced mostly by the DMPA concentration in soil water after hydrolytic degradation by soil microbes. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Residual thenylchlor concentration in soil water and its phytotoxic activity in soil

The phytotoxic activity of soil-applied thenylchlor (2-chloro- N -[3-methoxy-2-thenyl]-2',6'-dimethylacetanilide) on the growth of rice seedlings and its behavior in two different types of soil, Ryugasaki soil and Tsukuba soil, after application was investigated with emphasis on the concentration in the soil water. The greatest inhibition of thenylchlor on the growth of rice seedlings was found immediately after application to both the Ryugasaki and Tsukuba soils. The phytotoxic activity decreased with time in both soils. However, the rate of decrease in phytotoxic activity was slower in the Ryugasaki soil than in the Tsukuba soil. The concentration of thenylchlor in soil water, the amount adsorbed on the soil solid, and the amount in the total soil reduced with time after application to both soils. The amount of thenylchlor adsorbed on the soil solid phase was more persistent than that in the soil water in both soils and the concentration in the soil water was higher in the Ryugasaki soil than in the Tsukuba soil at any given time. The residual phytotoxic activity of thenylchlor on the growth of the rice seedlings in the soil was highly correlated with its concentration in the soil water but not with the amount in the total soil. These results suggested that the residual phytotoxic activity of thenylchlor in the soil is determined by its concentration in the soil water after application.     

Residual phytotoxic activity of pethoxamid in soil and its concentration in soil water under different soil moisture conditions

The relationship between the residual phytotoxic activity of pethoxamid (2-chloro- N -[2-ethoxyethyl]- N- [2-methyl-1-phenyl-1-propenyl] acetamide) on rice ( Oryza sativa cv. Kiyohatamochi) seedlings and its behavior in soil was investigated under different moisture conditions. The phytotoxic activity of pethoxamid on the shoot growth of rice seedlings in soil was higher in 80% soil moisture content than in 70% and 60% soil moisture contents. The phytotoxic activity in soil in 70% and 80% soil moisture conditions decreased with the increasing time after application, but the phytotoxic activity was slight in 50% soil moisture conditions at any given time after application. The residues of pethoxamid in soil water, the amount adsorbed on soil solid, and the amount in total soil was reduced with the time after application in a similar manner among these soil moisture conditions. The residual phytotoxic activity of pethoxamid on the shoot growth of rice seedlings in soil was more highly correlated with the concentration in soil water than with the amounts adsorbed on soil solid and in total soil. The partition coefficients between the amounts of pethoxamid adsorbed on soil solid and its concentration in soil water were similar among the soils with different moisture conditions at each day, and the partition coefficient increased with the time after application. These results suggested that the residual phytotoxic activity of pethoxamid in soil depends on the decreasing concentration of pethoxamid in soil water with time, except in low soil-moisture conditions, which were insufficient for seedling growth.     

Differential safening activity of dymron and fenclorim on pretilachlor injury in rice seedlings in soil

The safening activity of dymron [1-(α,α-dimethylbenzyl)-3-( p -tolyl)urea] and fenclorim [4,6-dichloro-2-phenylpyrimidine] on the phytotoxic activity of pretilachlor [2-chloro-2',6'-diethyl- N- (2-propoxyethyl)acetanilide] on rice seedlings was examined in both water and soil culture. The safening activity of fenclorim in water culture was greater than that of dymron, whereas the activity of fenclorim in soil was lower than that of dymron. The fenclorim concentration in soil water was lower than that of dymron at all times when determined after the application at the same concentrations. The phytotoxic activity of pretilachlor and the safening activities of dymron and fenclorim were well correlated with the concentration of each in soil water but not with the amount in total soil. The adsorption of fenclorim on soil solids was greater than those of dymron and pretilachlor. It was suggested that both the phytotoxic activity of pretilachlor and the safening activities of dymron and fenclorim were dependent on their concentrations in soil water, which were primarily dominated by the adsorption on soil.     

Phytotoxic activity of pethoxamid in soil under different moisture conditions

The phytotoxic activity of soil-applied pethoxamid [2-chloro- N -(2-ethoxyethyl)- N -(2-methyl-1-phenyl-1-propanyl) acetamide], (TKC-94), on the plant growth of rice ( Oryza sativa cv. Kiyohatamochi ) seedlings as an assay plant in soil was investigated under different soil moisture conditions. The phytotoxic activity of pethoxamid mixed with soil on the shoot and root growth of rice seedlings was uppermost under the highest soil moisture condition and it decreased with declining soil moisture content, while the inhibition was greater on the root growth than the shoot growth. The amount of pethoxamid adsorbed on soil solid and the concentration of pethoxamid in soil water from soil applied with this herbicide were not influenced by the soil moisture content. In addition, the phytotoxic activity on the growth of rice seedlings in sea sand culture applied with the soil water from the herbicide-applied soil was not influenced by the soil moisture content. In the sea sand culture, the phytotoxic activity of pethoxamid was significantly reduced in negative water potential as the concentration of polyethylene glycol-6000 added to the water increased. It is suggested that the phytotoxic activity of pethoxamid in the soil primarily depends on the concentration in soil water, but the phytotoxic activity was affected by soil moisture through the effect on absorption of this herbicide by rice seedlings.     

Behavior of pyriftalid in soil and its phytotoxic activity on Echinochloa oryzoides seedlings emerging from various soil depths

The phytotoxic activity of pyriftalid ([RS]‐7‐[4,6‐dimethoxypyrimidin‐2‐ylthio]‐3‐methyl‐2‐benzofuran‐1[3H]‐one) on barnyard grass (Echinochloa oryzoides) seedlings emerging from various depths in the soil was investigated in relation to its behavior in the soil. The growth of the barnyard grass seedlings in the soil mixed with pyriftalid was inhibited, depending on the concentration of the herbicide in the soil water but not on the amount in the total soil. A topmost pyriftalid‐treated layer was formed by applying the herbicide to the soil surface under water‐leakage conditions. The concentration of pyriftalid in the soil water and the amount that was adsorbed on the soil solid decreased with time, but the decrease was more marked in the pyriftalid concentration in the soil water than in the amount that was adsorbed on the soil solid. The emergence time of barnyard grass in the soil was faster in the seeds that were located in the shallower soil layer, compared to the deeper soil layer. The growth inhibition of the barnyard grass seedlings emerging from the shallower soil layer was greater than that of the barnyard grass seedlings emerging from the deeper soil layer after the soil surface application of pyriftalid. It is suggested that the emergence timing from the different soil depths is an important factor affecting the herbicidal activity of pyriftalid when it is applied to the soil surface under paddy field conditions.     

Allelopathic potential of itchgrass (Rottboellia exaltata L. f.) powder incorporated into soil

Itchgrass ( Rottboellia exaltata L. f.) is a widespread weed in northern Thailand. The farmers in this area have been using itchgrass as a mulching material in order to control other weeds in vegetable fields. Laboratory experiments were undertaken to investigate the phytotoxic activity of itchgrass powder incorporated into soil in order to evaluate the allelopathic activity in the field. The phytotoxic activity on the growth of radish seedlings ( Raphanus sativa L. var. radicula ), used as a test plant, was more pronounced in the root than in the shoot growth. The phytotoxic activity was found to be similar for the soils incorporated with the shoot or the root powder of itchgrass. The growth of the radish seedlings grown in sea sand and watered with soil water obtained from the soil previously incorporated with itchgrass powder showed a similar inhibition to those planted in the treated soil. The phytotoxic activity on the growth of the radish seedlings in the soil incorporated with the powder decreased over time. It is suggested that itchgrass releases phytotoxic compound(s) into soil water and the concentration of the active compound(s) in the soil water decreases over time.     

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.     

RESIDUAL ACTIVITY OF PARAQUAT IN SOILS II. ADSORPTION AND DESORPTION

Glasshouse studies showed that low doses of paraquat inhibited the germination of Lolium perenne L. broadcast directly onto the paraquat-sprayed surfaces of a sphagnum and a peat soil, but that higher doses were necessary to produce phytotoxic symptoms on mineral soils, a compost and a loam. On all soils residual activity increased rapidly with increasing dose once the minimum phytotoxic dose was reached. On a sandy soil, residual activity increased almost linearly from the lowest to the highest dose applied. At 9·0, 4·5 and 2·24 kg/ha phytotoxicity on a compost was not affected by changes in the volume of application, but at 1·68 kg/ha and lower, reducing the volume from 562 1/ha to 281 and 112 1/ha resulted in increased phytotoxicity. Phytotoxic residues were eluted from paraquat-treated compost surfaces by percolating de-ionized water up soil columns but residual activity was not removed from the eluted surfaces. Surface irrigation of paraquat-treated surfaces with water previously percolated through columns of untreated soil reduced residual activity by 45%.     

Role of underground parts of barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. var. formosensis Ohwi) in its sensitivity to thenylchlor in soil

In the present study, the phytotoxic activity of top-soil applied with thenylchlor [2-chloro- N -(3-methoxy-2-thieny)-2',6'-dimethylacetanilide] on the growth of rice ( Oryza sativa L.) was dependent on the emergence depth in soil but its activity on barnyardgrass ( Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. var. formosensis Ohwi) was only slightly affected by the emergence depth. However, the phytotoxic activity on barnyardgrass and rice was similar irrespective of the different emergence depths in its treatment to all soil layers. Thenylchlor treatment to the mesocotyl of barnyardgrass induced significant inhibition of shoot elongation, whereas the treatment to the coronal root only inhibited the coronal elongation without inhibiting shoot elongation. Absorption and translocation of ¹⁴C-thenylchlor in barnyardgrass were determined in water culture. The different amounts of radioactivity per plant among the treatments to the underground parts were due to the plant part that came in contact with ¹⁴C-thenylchlor. The radioactivity per dry weight was found to be higher in the basal part of the shoot than in its upper part in all treatments to the underground parts. It was suggested that the phytotoxic activity of thenylchlor on the growth of barnyardgrass in soil is induced by its accumulation in the basal part of the shoot through translocation. This primarily occurs after the absorption substantially by the mesocotyl from the herbicide-treated layer and additionally by other underground parts.     

复合改性粘土对除草剂2,4-D的控制释放作用研究

采用无机/有机复合改性粘土作制剂载体,探讨了其对阴离子型除草剂2,4-D的控制释放作用,目的在于延长2,4-D的持效期,同时减轻其污染。利用无机和有机改性的结合优势,复合改性粘土具有更强的吸附性能,能够显著延缓2,4-D在水中和土壤中的释放。分析其水中释放动力学数据得出,2,4-D释放50%所需时间(t50)长达73.8 h,远大于有机改性粘土作载体时的1 h。土壤层释放实验表明,当2,4-D载药量在20~80 mg/g之间时,复合改性粘土均能保持良好的控制释放效果。     

Activity of cyazofamid against Sclerospora graminicola, a downy mildew disease of pearl millet

The efficacy of cyazofamid was tested against pearl millet downy mildew disease caused by Sclerospora graminicola Schroet. Significant inhibition of sporangial sporulation, zoospore release and motility was observed at 0.3 mg mL(-1), and this concentration also provided good fungicidal activity under in vitro conditions. Under glasshouse conditions, none of the concentrations tested, either 0.01-2 mg mL(-1) as seed treatment or 1-10 mg mL(-1) by foliar application, was found to be phytotoxic. The effect of cyazofamid was tested by seed treatment alone, seed treatment followed by foliar application and foliar application alone. Seed treatment with cyazofamid offered only 19.7% disease control, but seed treatment followed by a single foliar application to diseased plants provided good control over disease, seed treatment with two foliar applications was significantly superior and foliar application alone showed a high level of activity, with 10 mg mL(-1) giving 97.9% disease control. Lack of systemic activity of cyazofamid was evident, root treatment giving disease levels on a par with the untreated control. The fungicide exhibited strong curative activity, but only moderate translaminar activity, with only marginal (34.8%) disease control after treatment of the adaxial leaf surface at 10 mg mL(-1). Loss of cyazofamid activity over time was very low, indicating stable residual and rainfastness activity. These results indicate that cyazofamid has a high potential to be an effective fungicide for the control of downy mildew disease of pearl millet.     

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.     

烟嘧磺隆降解菌株DT-4的降解特性及对高粱药害的缓解作用

土壤中烟嘧磺隆残留可对后茬作物产生不同程度药害。为解决玉米地烟嘧磺隆残留对后茬作物高粱药害问题,使用前期筛选出的烟嘧磺隆高效降解菌株绿木霉Trichoderma virens DT-4,通过高效液相色谱-质谱法检测其降解率,利用室内盆栽生测结合田间小区试验方法,确定降解菌株对土壤中烟嘧磺隆降解效果,降低烟嘧磺隆残留对高粱的药害。结果显示,烟嘧磺隆残留浓度在0.0025～0.1 ug/mL范围内,标准曲线线性良好,符合农残分析要求;PDB液体培养基中烟嘧磺隆在DT-4降解菌处理100 h的降解率高达93.00%;菌株最佳降解条件为培养温度35 ℃、pH 5、最适接种量5%、烟嘧磺隆初始质量浓度200 mg/L。盆栽试验土壤中烟嘧磺隆残留浓度为0.075 mg/kg时,加入降解菌DT-4后能够明显缓解高粱的株高、根长、鲜重、叶绿素含量、根系活力和净光合速率等生长发育指标,对高粱生长有明显的促进作用。田间小区试验中,不同剂型降解菌剂处理,高粱抽穗期效果最为显著,降解菌能够将低于60 g a.i./hm²烟嘧磺隆污染土壤的高粱修复至无明显药害水平,且降解菌剂应用效果为粉剂＞菌液。本研究表明高效降解菌株绿木霉DT-4可有效缓解烟嘧磺隆残留对后茬作物高粱的毒害作用,为玉米高粱轮作体系下烟嘧磺隆残留污染土壤的微生物修复提供科学参考。     

Influence of particle size and type of formulation on phytotoxicity and persistence of atrazine

The initial and residual activities of wettable powder formulations of atrazine comprising different particle sizes were investigated in field and glasshouse experiments. A flowable formulation was also compared with these. Oats were used as the test species for the glasshouse studies while in field trials effects on control of broadleaf weeds in maize were studied. No marked differences were noted in the activity of wettable powders of different particle sizes in the glasshouse as pre-emergence applications. As a post-emergence treatment the fine particle size was more phytotoxic than the coarse material, especially when a wetting agent was added to the spray solution. In the field trials, no appreciable differences in weed control or crop tolerance could be established regardless of the time or rate of application. The flowable formulation was less active than the wettable powders in some glasshouse experiments but no such trend was apparent in field trials. Bioassays showed that the residual activity of the flowable formulation was lower than wettable powder formulations in both glasshouse and field studies but no consistent differences were noted in the persistence of the three forms of wettable powders.     

Response of wheat and oat seedlings to root-applied diclofop-methyl and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid

Roots of wheat and oat seedlings were treated with diclofop-methyl (methyl 2-[4-(2′,4′-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxy]propanoate) in a specially designed Plexiglas treatment apparatus. Diclofopmethyl severely inhibited the root growth of susceptible oat seedlings but roots of resistant wheat seedlings were unaffected. Diclofop-methyl at 0.3 μM reduced the growth of oat roots to 50% of the control. Direct contact between diclofop-methyl and the inhibited root zone was necessary for growth inhibition since other parts of the seedling (roots and shoots) isolated from contact with diclofop-methyl solution by a physical barrier were unaffected. Diclofop (2-[4-(2′,4′-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxy]propionic acid), the free acid metabolite of diclofop-methyl, was somewhat more phytotoxic than the parent compound. The herbicide, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), which engenders auxin responses, slightly enhanced the inhibition of oat root growth by diclofop-methyl. The primary wheat metabolite, ring-hydroxylated diclofop, was nonphytotoxic to oat root growth, whereas the acetylated derivative of the primary water-soluble oat metabolite (neutral glucose ester of diclofop) inhibited oat root growth to the same extent as diclofop-methyl. These results support the hypothesis that the basis for selectivity between resistant wheat and susceptible oat is the metabolism of diclofop-methyl by aryl hydroxylation and conjugation but not glucose ester conjugation. Translocation is also not an important factor in the phytotoxic activity of diclofop-methyl.     

Factors affecting phytotoxic activity of allelochemicals in soil

Allelopathy is the inhibitory or stimulatory effect of a plant (donor) on other plants (receivers) through the chemicals released from the donor plant to the environment, mostly into the soil. These chemicals may reach the receiver plants in various ways, including leaching from plant foliage, exudation from the roots, and decomposition of dead residue of the donor plants. However, allelopathy in soil is a complicated phenomenon that is affected by soil condition, growth condition of the donor and receiver plants and climatic condition. Allelochemicals in soil are adsorbed on soil solids, and metabolized by chemical and biological reactions during the movement in soil. This behavior is affected by various soil factors, such as soil texture, organic and inorganic matter, moisture and organisms, which affect the phytotoxic activity in soil. If an allelochemical can directly affect the growth of receiver plants in soil, then the allelochemical might be present in the soil water so that it is directly available for absorption by the plant. Thus, it is suggested the concentration of an allelochemical in soil water is a dominant factor directly determining the phytotoxic activity in soil, and the concentration is controlled by soil factors that affect the behavior of adsorption, desorption and degradation in soil.     

Metabolism of the insecticide SD 8280, 2-chloro-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)vinyl dimethyl phosphate,following its application to rice

The metabolism of the insecticide SD 8280 [2-chloro-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)vinyl dimethyl phosphate] in rice plants has been examined. When rice seedlings were treated with [¹⁴C]-SD 8280 the major metabolite was 1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)ethanol which was present mainly conjugated with plant carbohydrates. This compound was also the major metabolite present in grain and straw from rice treated with [¹⁴C]-SD 8280 and grown to maturity under paddy conditions both in the glasshouse and in an outdoor enclosure. Other metabolites detected in the mature plants included 2-chloro-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)vinyl methyl hydrogen phosphate and 2,4-dichloro-benzoic acid, both of which occurred in free and conjugated forms. Paddy water was sampled at intervals after the application of [¹⁴C]-SD 8280 and the total residue in the water fell from initial levels of 0.28–1.1 μg/ml (expressed as SD 8280 equivalent) immediately after treatment to <0.01 μg/ml after 2–3 weeks. The total residues in the soil from these experiments were low and did not exceed 0.20 mg/kg (SD 8280 equivalents) through the 0–15 cm profile.     

Some Aspects of Chemical Control of Soil-borne Pathogens

The effect of a soil fumigant on soil-borne pests and pathogens depends largely on a sufficient distribution through the top soil and the availability of the fumigant or the biologically active degradation products in the water phase. Nearly all the fumigants are dispersed in the soil mainly in the vapour phase and therefore the amount of air between the soil particles is very important. Consequently on light soils it is relatively easy to obtain an efficient control, but on heavy or wet soils and on soil types with a high humus content it is rather difficult to get reliable results. The concentration of the fumigant in the upper few cm. of the soil is often insufficient to get good control after injection of the material at 15–20 cm. depth. The effect may be improved by using a plastic cover or a «split plot>> application.
The elimination of most of the fumigant, to avoid a phytotoxic effect is a cause for concern on wet soils and on soil types with a high organic content. Factors influencing the decrease of the fumigant residue in the soil are discussed. The soil fumigant application gives rise to important changes in the whole ecosystem in the soil. Information on the influence on non-target organisms is scarce. The application of dichloropropene and of chloropicrin may lead to a noticeable effect on the nitrificating bacteria.
The soil application of fumigants may give rise to residues in plants of the parent chemical or, to a larger extent, to residues of metabolites e.g. Br^- after soil disinfection with Br^- containing fumigants such as methylbromide, EDB¹), etc. The enrichment of the soil with Br^- may cause phytotoxic effects on susceptible crops such as carnations. The fate of the metabolites arising from dichloropropene and related compounds has not been fully clarified.     

Effects of biochar on water movement characteristics in sandy soil under drip irrigation

Biochar addition can improve the physical and hydraulic characteristics of sandy soil. This study investigated the effects of biochar on water holding capacity and water movement in sandy soil under drip irrigation. By indoor simulation experiments, the effects of biochar application at five levels (0%, 1%, 2%, 4%and 6%) on the soil water retention curve, infiltration characteristics of drip irrigation and water distribution were tested and analyzed. The results showed thatbiochar addition rate was positively correlated with water holding capacity of sandy soil and soil available water. Within the same infiltration time, with an increasing amount of added biochar, the diffusion distance of the horizontal wetting front (HWF) tended to decrease, but the infiltration distance of vertical wetting front (VWF) initially declined and then rose. The features of wetted bodies changed from "broad-shallow" to "narrow-deep" type. The relationship between the transport distance of HWF and VWF and the infiltration time was described by a power function. At the same distance from the point source, the larger was the amount of added biochar, the higher was the soil water content. Biochar had a great influence on the water content of the layer with biochar (0-200mm) and had some effects at 200-250mm without biochar; but had less influence on the soil water content deeper than 250mm. For the application rate of biochar of 4%, most water was retained within 0-250mm soil layer. However, when biochar application amount was high (6%), it would be helpful for water infiltration. During the improvement of sandy soil, biochar application rate of 4% in the plow layer had the best effect.