Increased foliar activity of clodinafop‐propargyl and/or tribenuron‐methyl by surfactants and their synergistic action on wild oat (Avena ludoviciana) and wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis)

Surfactants can improve postemergence herbicide efficacy and reduce the amount of herbicide required to obtain weed control. The effect of surfactants on the efficacy of herbicides is complicated and depends on the interaction among the plant, surfactant, and herbicide. The effects of surfactants on the efficacy of clodinafop‐propargyl and/or tribenuron‐methyl on wild oat (Avena ludoviciana) and wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis) under greenhouse conditions were investigated. In addition, the surface tension of aqueous solutions of the surfactants and surfactants + herbicides was determined. Significantly lower surface tension values were obtained with the aqueous solutions of citofrigate (Citogate plus Frigate) alone and with the herbicides used in this study. The citofrigate surfactant lead to the greatest enhancement of clodinafop‐propargyl and/or tribenuron‐methyl efficacy and the effect was species‐dependent. The efficacy of clodinafop‐propargyl and/or tribenuron‐methyl in the presence of surfactants in controlling wild oat was higher than for wild mustard. The foliar activity of the tested herbicides rose with increasing surfactant concentrations. The tank mixture of clodinafop‐propargyl and tribenuron‐methyl showed a synergistic effect in controlling wild oat and wild mustard. The synergistic effect in controlling wild mustard was greater than for wild oat.     

Effect of adjuvants on the rainfastness and performance of tribenuron‐methyl on broad‐leaved weeds

The influence of a non‐ionic surfactant (20% isodecyl alcohol ethoxylate plus 0.7% silicone surfactants), an anionic surfactant (25.5% alkylethersulfate sodium salt), and a vegetable oil (95% natural rapeseed oil with 5% compound emulsifiers) on the performance and rainfastness of a new commercial formulation of tribenuron‐methyl was assessed on four broad‐leaved weeds: wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis), scentless mayweed (Tripleurospermum inodorum), common poppy (Papaver rhoeas), and common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album). In one experiment, six doses of tribenuron‐methyl alone or in a mixture with each of the three adjuvants were applied to each weed species at two different leaf stages. In another experiment, the plants of T. inodorum were sprayed and subsequently subjected to 3 mm of rain at 1, 2, and 4 h after treatment (HAT). The activity of tribenuron‐methyl was significantly enhanced by all the adjuvants on all the weed species and only minor differences were observed among the tested adjuvants. The impact of the adjuvants varied among the weed species and growth stages. The highest response to the inclusion of adjuvants in the spray liquid was found at the late growth stage and on C. album, followed by P. rhoeas and T. inodorum, while S. arvensis was less responsive to the adjuvants. All the adjuvants significantly improved the rainfastness of tribenuron‐methyl on T. inodorum, with differences among the adjuvants being more pronounced when rain occurred shortly after herbicide application. The effect of the vegetable oil on tribenuron‐methyl's rainfastness was significantly lower than that of the surfactants with rain at 1 HAT, while no significant differences among the three adjuvants were observed when rain occurred at 2 and 4 HAT.     

Metalaxyl-induced changes in the antioxidant metabolism of Solanum nigrum L. suspension cells

The antioxidant responses of Solanum nigrum L. cell suspension cultures to metalaxyl exposure were investigated. An increase in lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide content, for both concentrations tested (20 mg L⁻¹; 40 mg L⁻¹) revealed the response of oxidative metabolism of cell suspensions to metalaxyl. Superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1), catalase (CAT; EC 1.11.1.6) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX; EC 1.11.1.11) activities increased, particularly in the highest concentration of metalaxyl used. An analysis by non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel (PAGE) followed by staining for enzyme activity, revealed seven SOD isoenzymes, two CAT isoenzymes, and nine APX isoenzymes. Metalaxyl levels were quantified in the culture medium and results suggest that suspension cells were able to accumulate and/or degrade the fungicide five hours after exposure. SOD, CAT and APX isoenzymes were differently affected by the metalaxyl treatment. Results suggest that the higher concentration of metalaxyl induced oxidative stress to cell suspension cultures of S. nigrum.     

Nematicidal efficacy of MCW‐2, a new nematicide of the fluoroalkenyl group,against the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica

BACKGROUND: The small number of available nematicides and restrictions on the use of non‐fumigant nematicides owing to high toxicity to human and non‐target organisms hinder effective nematode control. The nematicidal efficacy of MCW‐2, a new nematicide of the fluoroalkenyl group, was evaluated against the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica (Treub.) Chitwood. RESULTS: MCW‐2 showed irreversible nematicidal activity against second‐stage juveniles of M. javanica in vitro, following exposure for 48 h at concentrations as low as 0.5 mg L^?1, in contrast to fenamiphos or cadusafos. When exposed to MCW‐2 for shorter periods, motile juveniles became immobile with time after rinsing in water. MCW‐2 at 8 mg L^?1 inhibited nematode hatching, which, however, recovered after rinsing in water. In pot and plot experiments, 0.5 mg MCW‐2 L^?1 soil and 2 kg MCW‐2 ha^?1, respectively, controlled M. javanica similarly to or better than fenamiphos or cadusafos at the same concentrations or at their recommended doses. In the soil, the nematicidal activity of MCW‐2 was less persistent than that of fenamiphos. CONCLUSION: MCW‐2 has potential to be used as a new non‐fumigant nematicide that probably has a novel mode of action. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Inheritance of resistance to fenoxaprop‐p‐ethyl in sprangletop (Leptochloa chinensis L. Nees)

Sprangletop (Leptochloa chinensis L. Nees) is a serious grass weed in direct‐seeded rice cropping systems in Thailand. One population of sprangletop, BLC1, was found to be resistant to fenoxaprop‐p‐ethyl at 62‐fold the concentration of a susceptible biotype, SLC1. This study elucidated the inheritance of resistance to fenoxaprop‐p‐ethyl in this sprangletop BLC1 genotype. The reaction to the herbicide at 0.12–2.4 mg ai L^?1 was determined in the seedlings of self‐pollinated resistant BLC1, susceptible SLC1 and SLC1 that had been allowed to cross‐pollinate with BLC1. At 0.24 mg ai L^?1, all the seedlings of SLC1 were killed, while 99% of BLC1 survived, along with 5% of the cross‐pollinated SLC1 seedlings, which were considered to be putative F₁ hybrids. The root and shoot lengths of the F₁ hybrids in 0.24 mg ai L^?1 of fenoxaprop‐p‐ethyl, relative to those in the absence of the herbicide, were close to or the same as the resistant parent, indicating that the resistance is a nearly complete to complete dominant trait. One‐hundred‐and‐forty‐one of the F₂‐derived F₃ families were classified by their response to the herbicide at 0.24 and 0.48 mg ai L^?1 into 39 homozygous susceptible : 72 segregating : 30 homozygous resistant, fitted with a 1:2:1 ratio at χ² = 1.21 and P = 0.56, indicating that the resistance to fenoxaprop‐p‐ethyl in the sprangletop BLC1 genotype is controlled by a single gene.     

Photochemical damage and comparative performance of superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase in sugarcane leaves exposed to paraquat-induced oxidative stress

The physiological responses of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) to oxidative stress induced by methyl viologen (paraquat) were examined with respect to photochemical activity, chlorophyll content, lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities. Thirty-day-old sugarcane plants were sprayed with 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 mM methyl viologen (MV). Chlorophyll fluorescence was measured after 18 h and biochemical analyses were performed after 24 and 48 h. Concentrations of MV above 2 mM caused significant damage to photosystem II (PSII) activity. Potential and effective quantum efficiency of PSII and apparent electron transport rate were greatly reduced or practically abolished. Both chlorophyll and soluble protein contents steadily decreased with MV concentrations above 2 mM after 24 h of exposure, which became more pronounced after 48 h, achieving a 3-fold decrease. Insoluble protein contents were little affected by MV. Oxidative stress induced by MV was evidenced by increases in lipid peroxidation. Specific activity of SOD increased, even after 48 h of exposure to the highest concentrations of MV, but total activity on a fresh weight basis did not change significantly. Nondenaturing PAGE assayed with H₂O₂ and KCN showed that treatment with MV did not change Cu/Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD isoform activities. In contrast, APX specific activity increased at 2 mM MV but then dropped at higher doses. Oxidative damage induced by MV was inversely related to APX activity. It is suggested that the major MV-induced oxidative damages in sugarcane leaves were related to excess H₂O₂, probably in chloroplasts, caused by an imbalance between SOD and APX activities, in which APX was a limiting step. Reduced photochemical activity allowed the early detection of the ensuing oxidative stress.     

Isophorone‐induced light‐independent lipid peroxidation and loss of cell membrane integrity

Isophorone (3,5,5‐trimethylcyclohex‐2‐en‐1‐one) is a plant‐derived volatile compound with strong phytotoxic activity. Here, we aimed to elucidate the mechanism of action of isophorone, and to this end, the effects of isophorone on shoot fresh weight, chlorophyll content, electrolyte leakage, and lipid peroxidation of Lactuca sativa L. and photosynthetic electron transport activity in chloroplast isolated from Spinacia oleracea L. were investigated. Isophorone induced light‐independent decreases in shoot fresh weight and light‐dependent chlorosis. In addition, increased electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation occurred under light conditions. However, the inhibitory activity on photosynthetic electron transport was unexpectedly low, and electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation were induced even under dark conditions. These results suggest that the inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport is not the main mechanism of action of isophorone and that the phytotoxic effects are mainly due to light‐independent oxidative damage and subsequent loss of cell membrane integrity.     

Induction of an antioxidant enzyme system and other oxidative stress markers associated with compatible and incompatible interactions between chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.ciceris

To ascertain if active oxygen species play a role in fusarium wilt of chickpea caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris, the degree of lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde formation) and the activity levels of diamine oxidase (DAO), an apoplastic H₂O₂-forming oxidase, and several antioxidant enzymes, namely ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), guaiacol-dependent peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were determined spectrophotometrically in roots and stems of ‘WR315’ (resistant) and ‘JG62’ (susceptible) chickpea cultivars inoculated with the highly virulent race 5 of the pathogen. Moreover, APX, CAT, GPX and SOD were also analysed in roots and stems by gel electrophoresis and activity staining; and the protein levels of APX and SOD in roots were determined by Western blotting. In roots, infection by the pathogen increased lipid peroxidation and CAT and SOD activities, although such responses occurred earlier in the incompatible compared with the compatible interactions. APX, GPX and GR activities were also increased in infected roots, but only in the compatible interaction. In stems, infection by the pathogen increased lipid peroxidation and APX, CAT, SOD and GPX activities only in the compatible interaction, and DAO activity only in the incompatible one. In general, electrophoregrams agreed with the activity levels determined spectrophotometrically and did not reveal any differences in isoenzyme patterns between cultivars or between infected and non-infected plants. Further, Western blots revealed an increase in the root protein levels of APX in the compatible interaction and in those of SOD in both compatible and incompatible interactions. In conclusion, whereas enhanced DAO activity in stems, and earlier increases in lipid peroxidation and CAT and SOD activities in roots, can be associated with resistance to fusarium wilt in chickpea, the induction of the latter three parameters in roots and stems along with that of APX, GR (only in roots) and GPX (only in stems) activities are rather more associated with the establishment of the compatible interaction.     

Analysis of metsulfuron‐methyl residues in wheat field soil: a comparison of HPLC and bioassay techniques

BACKGROUND: Metsulfuron‐methyl is a low‐application‐rate sulfonylurea herbicide that is widely used to control broad‐leaved weeds in wheat. Owing to its persistent nature, its residues may be present at phytotoxic levels for the next crop in rotation. Therefore, a comparative evaluation of HPLC and bioassay techniques was made for the analysis of this herbicide in wheat field soil. RESULTS: Metsulfuron‐methyl was applied to wheat crop at different rates (4, 8 and 12 AI ha^?1) at 28 days after sowing as a post‐emergence application, and the soil was analysed for metsulfuron‐methyl residues by HPLC and lentil seed bioassay techniques. The bioassay was found to be the more sensitive technique. At the recommended rate of application, 4 g AI ha^?1, the bioassay technique could detect the residue up to 30 days in surface soil, while, with HPLC, residues were not detectable on the 15th day. The half‐lives of metsulfuron‐methyl by HPLC and bioassay were calculated as 6.3–7.8 and 17.5 days respectively. Under field conditions, residues of metsulfuron‐methyl were also detected in subsurface soil by the bioassay technique at trace levels, but were not detected by the solvent extraction/HPLC method. CONCLUSION: Lentil seed bioassay is a more sensitive technique than HPLC. Traces of residues detected in subsurface soil indicated the mobility of metsulfuron‐methyl into lower layers. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Involvement of cytochrome P‐450 enzyme activity in the selectivity and safening action of pyrazosulfuron‐ethyl

To investigate the selectivity and safening action of the sulfonylurea herbicide pyrazosulfuron‐ethyl (PSE), pyrazosulfuron‐ethyl O‐demethylase (PSEOD) activity involving oxidative metabolism by cytochrome P‐450 was studied in rice (Oryza sativa L cv Nipponbare) and Cyperus serotinus Rottb. Cytochrome P‐450‐dependent activity was demonstrated by the use of the inducers 1,8‐naphthalic anhydride and ethanol, the herbicides PSE, bensulfuron‐methyl, dimepiperate and dymron, or the inhibitor piperonyl butoxide (PBO). Growth inhibition in C serotinus seedlings was more severe than that in rice seedlings. O‐Dealkylation activities of PSE were induced differently in rice and in C serotinus, with distinctly higher activity in rice seedlings. The induced PSEOD activities were slightly inhibited by PBO in rice seedlings, whereas they were strongly inhibited in C serotinus seedlings. Dimepiperate and dymron were effective safeners of rice against PSE treatment. Treatments with herbicide alone resulted in less induction of PSEOD activity compared with combined treatments of the herbicide and safener. PSEOD activity in rice seedlings induced with herbicide alone was strongly inhibited by PBO, whereas it was weakly inhibited in rice seedlings induced with combinations of PSE and two safeners. These results suggest that O‐demethylation by cytochrome P‐450 enzymes may be involved in the metabolism of PSE and may contribute to its selectivity and safening action. Furthermore, these results suggest the existence of a multiple form of cytochrome P‐450 in plants. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Sensor‐based assessment of herbicide effects

Non‐destructive assessment of herbicide effects may be able to support integrated weed management. To test whether effects of herbicides on canopy variables could be detected by sensors, two crops were used as models and treated with herbicides at BBCH 20 using a logarithmic sprayer. Twelve days after spraying at BBCH 25 and 42 days after sowing, nine sensor systems scanned a spring barley and an oilseed rape field experiment sown at different densities and sprayed with increasing field rates of glyphosate and tribenuron‐methyl. The objective was to compare ED₅₀s for crops and weeds derived by the different sensors in relation to crop density and herbicides. Although sensors were not directly developed to detect herbicide symptoms, they all detected changes in canopy colours or height and crop density. Generally ED₅₀s showed the same pattern in response to crop density within herbicide, but there were marked differences between barley and oilseed rape. We suggest that the results of comparing the various sensor outputs could become a stepping stone to future standardisation for the benefit of the research and development of sensors that will detect herbicide effect on crops and weeds, particularly at the most vulnerable stages of development of the canopy.     

Potential allelopathic effects of Mikania micrantha on the seed germination and seedling growth of Coix lacryma‐jobi

The allelopathic potential of Mikania micrantha H.B.K. to affect the seed germination and seedling growth of Coix lacryma‐jobi L. was investigated. Water‐soluble allelopathic substances were found in the water extracts of M. micrantha. The effect of the water extracts on the seed germination and seedling growth of C. lacryma‐jobi was concentration‐dependent. The water extracts from the different plant parts (leaf, stem, and root) of M. micrantha differed in their effect on the germination and seedling growth of C. lacryma‐jobi, with the effect of the leaf extract being the least inhibitory. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the C. lacryma‐jobi seedlings increased by 64%, 45%, and 52% of the control with increasing concentrations of the extracts of the root, stem, and leaf (80, 400, and 400 g L^?1, respectively). The extract from the M. micrantha roots significantly increased the catalase (CAT) activity of the C. lacryma‐jobi seedlings (48% and 54% of the control at the concentrations of 20 g L^?1 and 80 g L^?1, respectively). The extracts from the leaves and stems at low concentrations increased the CAT activity, but at high concentrations, the extracts decreased the CAT activity. The extracts from the roots, stems, and leaves at concentrations of 80, 400, and 400 g L^?1 also significantly decreased the peroxidase (POD) activity of the C. lacryma‐jobi seedlings to 27%, 52%, and 34% of the control, respectively. These results indicate that the water extracts of M. micrantha could inhibit the seed germination and seedling growth of C. lacryma‐jobi through the regulation of anti‐oxidase activity, such as POD and CAT in the cells. The growth inhibition of the C. lacryma‐jobi seedlings is probably related to injury after oxidization of the cell membranes with the increase of MDA content.     

Sensitivity of Botrytis cinerea to chitosan and acibenzolar‐S‐methyl

BACKGROUND: The antifungal properties of chitosan and acibenzolar‐S‐methyl were evaluated to assess their potential for protecting grapes against Botrytis cinerea Pers.: Fr. isolated from Vitis vinifera L. The objectives were to determine the effects of these compounds on the in vitro development of B. cinerea and to assess their effectiveness at controlling grey mould on grapes stored at different temperatures. RESULTS: Both agents significantly inhibited the radial growth of this fungus species. The EC₅₀ was 1.77 mg mL^?1 for chitosan and 3.44 mg mL^?1 for acibenzolar‐S‐methyl. In addition, single grapes treated with aqueous solutions of chitosan (1.0 and 2.5 mg mL^?1) and acibenzolar‐S‐methyl (1.0 and 3.0 mg mL^?1) were inoculated with B. cinerea and incubated at both 4 and 24 °C. After 4 days at 24 °C, all the concentrations of chitosan and acibenzolar‐S‐methyl significantly reduced B. cinerea growth. However, at 4 °C, significant differences were only observed between chitosan at 2.5 mg mL^?1 and acibenzolar‐S‐methyl at both 1.0 and 3.0 mg mL^?1 and the corresponding controls. After 3 days at 24 °C, the greatest reduction in lesion size was obtained in grapes pretreated with acibenzolar‐S‐methyl at 3.0 mg mL^?1. Only the highest doses of these products significantly reduced the lesion diameters when grapes were stored for 3 days at 4 °C. CONCLUSIONS: Chitosan and acibenzolar‐S‐methyl could directly inhibit the growth of Botrytis cinerea in vitro and confer resistance on grapes against grey mould. Pretreatment with these compounds could be an alternative to traditional fungicides in post‐harvest disease control in grapes. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

外源NO对干旱胁迫下玉米幼苗膜脂过氧化的调节效应

以郑单958玉米(Zea mays)为试验对象,采用盆栽试验方法,分别用0.01、0.05、0.1、0.5 mmol·L-1和1.0 mmol·L-1的外源一氧化氮(NO)供体硝普钠(Sodium nitroprusside,SNP)对干旱胁迫下玉米幼苗进行浇灌处理,研究外源NO对干旱胁迫下玉米幼苗膜脂过氧化的影响。结果表明,适当浓度(0.05 mmol·L-1)的外源NO可缓解干旱胁迫对玉米幼苗造成的损伤,与单独干旱胁迫相比,显著提高超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)等保护酶活性,分别增加了23.89%和87.78%;脯氨酸、可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白和叶绿素的含量分别增加23.89%、87.78%、43.44%、39.84%、41.33%和21.45%;MDA含量和质膜透性分别下降11.76%和51.17%。说明适当浓度的外源NO可以缓解干旱胁迫对玉米幼苗生长的抑制效应。     

Determination of anti‐oxidant activity by electron spin resonance spectroscopy

A method to assess anti‐oxidant activity quantitatively is presented. In this method, free radicals (OH·) were produced from the Fenton reaction. Electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR) was then used to determine the effectiveness of five anti‐oxidants to scavenge the free radicals. Anti‐oxidant activity was assessed as the percentage reduction of the ESR signal intensity relative to that of a control after 10 min. The order of the potency of the antioxidants at 4.8 mM was: caffeic acid > o‐coumarin > 6,7‐dihydroxy‐4‐methylcoumarin > catechin > scopoletin. In addition, pro‐oxidant activity (a higher ESR signal intensity than that of the control) was observed for catechin and scopoletin at low concentrations (below 3.6 mM ). © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Involvement of heme synthesis in the growth stimulation of maize seedlings by 5‐aminolevulinic acid

The growth of maize seedlings was stimulated by shoot‐applied 5‐aminolevulinic acid 2 days after treatment at 90 and 120 μmol L^?1. The effects of 5‐aminolevulinic acid on the activity of nitrate reductase (EC 1.6.6.2) and nitrite reductase (EC 1.7.7.1) and the chlorophyll, ammonium, heme and total free amino acid content were investigated by using maize seedlings to clarify the involvement of nitrogen metabolism and heme synthesis in the growth stimulation. 5‐Aminolevulinic acid increased the level of nitrate reductase activity at 90 μmol L^?1 and the ammonium and heme content at 90 and 120 μmol L^?1 2 days after treatment. The total amino acid content increased by 90 and 150 μmol L^?1 5‐aminolevulinic acid 2 and 3 days after treatment, respectively. However, no significant change was observed in the activity of nitrite reductase or the chlorophyll content after the 5‐aminolevulinic acid treatment. These results suggest that the enhancement of nitrogen metabolism by nitrate reductase activation is involved in the 5‐aminolevulinic acid‐induced stimulation of maize seedling growth. The activation of nitrate reductase might be related to an increase in the heme content following the 5‐aminolevulinic acid treatment.     

Chemical control of weedy rice in precise hill‐direct‐seeded rice in South China

Precise hill‐direct‐seeded rice, which is both cost‐ and labor‐saving, is based on the direct seeding of rice by using a precision rice hill‐drop drilling machine. Weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea), also known as “red rice”, is a major weed in precise hill‐direct‐seeded rice, causing an ≤80% yield loss and a reduction in grain quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the control efficiency of weedy rice by pretilachlor (a pre‐emergence herbicide) and fenclorim (a safener) and their safety for precise hill‐direct‐seeded rice in two consecutive years. The amount of rice seed germination was accelerated by soaking the seeds in the safener at 0.67 g ai L^?1 for 1 h before sowing. The pre‐emergence pretilachlor treatments were applied 2 days after sowing cultured rice. The inhibition of the shoot fresh weight of the cultured rice was reduced by 3.3, 6.4 and 7.4% with 450, 900 and 1350 g ai ha^?1 of pretilachlor at 32 days after sowing (DAS) and that of the root fresh weight was reduced by 2.6, 4.9 and 8.1%, respectively. With fenclorim and pretilachlor in a precise hill‐direct‐seeded rice field in 2010 and 2011, the weedy rice control efficiency at 32 DAS was reduced by 100 and 98.0%, respectively. The pre‐emergence pretilachlor treatments that were applied at 2 DAS were much more efficient in the weedy rice control and less inhibitory to the cultured rice growth. The rice yield was increased by 26.1–26.7% in the mechanical precise hill‐direct‐seeded rice, relative to the manual‐seeding rice, with the application of fenclorim and pretilachlor.     

Residues of the herbicide fenoxaprop‐P‐ethyl,its agronomic safener isoxadifen‐ethyl and their metabolites in rice after field application

BACKGROUND: Fenoxaprop‐P‐ethyl is a herbicide used on cereals and in particular on rice, the degradation of which leads to several relevant metabolites. The herbicide is used together with an agronomic safener such as isoxadifen‐ethyl, which also generates some metabolites. The present work was aimed at developing and validating an analytical method for the determination of the above parent compounds and their main metabolites in the edible fractions of rice. Parent compounds were extracted in acetonitrile and determined by gas chromatography with a mass spectrometer detector, while metabolites were extracted in acetonitrile and analysed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The method was validated through recovery tests in rice straw, grain and plant: accuracy was in the range 76–86% and 90–103% for parent compounds and metabolites respectively. Precision, as relative standard deviation, was in the range 3–11% and 6–17% for parent compounds and metabolites respectively. The limit of detection was 0.01 mg kg^?1 for each analyte, while the limit of quantification was set at 0.05 mg kg^?1. CONCLUSION: The analytical method is suitable for quantitative determination of each analyte considered in rice commodities. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Mineralisation of the herbicide linuron by Variovorax sp. strain RA8 isolated from Japanese river sediment using an ecosystem model (microcosm)

BACKGROUND: Linuron is a globally used phenylurea herbicide, and a large number of studies have been made on the microbial degradation of the herbicide. However, to date, the few bacteria able individually to mineralise linuron have been isolated only from European agricultural soils. An attempt was made to isolate linuron‐mineralising bacteria from Japanese river sediment using a uniquely designed river ecosystem model (microcosm) treated with ¹⁴C‐ring‐labelled linuron (approximately 1 mg L^?1). RESULTS: A linuron‐mineralising bacterium that inhabits river sediment was successfully isolated. The isolate belongs to the genera Variovorax and was designated as strain RA8. Strain RA8 gradually used linuron in basal salt medium (5.2 mg L^?1) with slight growth. In 15 days, approximately 25% of ¹⁴C‐linuron was mineralised to ¹⁴CO₂, with 3,4‐dichloroaniline as an intermediate. Conversely, in 100‐fold diluted R2A broth, strain RA8 rapidly mineralised ¹⁴C‐linuron (5.5 mg L^?1) and more than 70% of the applied radioactivity was released as ¹⁴CO₂ within 3 days, and a trace amount of 3,4‐dichloroaniline was detected. Additionally, the isolate also degraded monolinuron, metobromuron and chlorobromuron, but not diuron, monuron or isoproturon. CONCLUSION: Although strain RA8 can grow on linuron, some elements in the R2A broth seemed significantly to stimulate its growth and ability to degrade. The isolate strictly recognised the structural difference between N‐methoxy‐N‐methyl and N,N‐dimethyl substitution of various phenylurea herbicides. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry