Effect of ABT on the activity and rate of degradation of isoproturon in susceptible and resistant biotypes of Phalaris minor and in wheat

The effect of the monooxygenase inhibitor, 1-aminobenzotriazole (ABT) on isoproturon phytotoxicity and metabolism was studied in resistant (R) and susceptible (S) biotypes of Phalaris minor and in wheat (Triticum aestivum). Addition of ABT (2·5, 5 and 10 mg litre^-1) to isoproturon (0·25, 0·5, 1, 2 and 4 mg litre^-1) in the nutrient solution significantly enhanced the phytotoxicity of isoproturon against the R biotype. Isoproturon at 0·25 mg litre^-1 reduced the dry weight (DW) of the S biotype by 77%, whereas the R biotype required 4·0 mg litre^-1 for similar reduction. Addition of 10 mg litre^-1 of ABT to the 0·25 mg litre^-1 isoproturon caused 71 and 82% reduction in DW of R and S biotypes, respectively. Wheat was more sensitive to the mixture of isoproturon and ABT than the R biotype of P. minor. Reduced concentrations of ABT in the mixture from 10 to 2·5 mg litre^-1 increased the DW of the R biotype more than that of the S biotype. The R biotype metabolised [¹⁴C]isoproturon at a faster rate than the S biotype. ABT (5 mg litre^-1) inhibited the degradation of [¹⁴C]isoproturon in both biotypes of P. minor and in wheat. In the presence of ABT, about half of the applied [¹⁴C]isoproturon remained as parent herbicide in all the three species after two days. The metabolites were similar in the R and S biotypes and wheat as determined by co-chromatography with reference standards and mass spectroscopy (MS). ABT inhibited the appearance of the hydroxy and monomethyl metabolites and their conjugates in all the test plants. These results suggest that the activity of the enzymes responsible for the degradation of isoproturon is greater in the R than in the S biotype of P. minor, resulting in its rapid detoxification. Incorporation of the monooxygenase inhibitor ABT into the nutrient solution greatly inhibited the degradation of [¹⁴C]isoproturon in the R biotype and increased its phytotoxicity. Both hydroxylation and N-dealkylation reactions were found to be sensitive to ABT; inhibition of hydroxylation was greater than that of demethylation. Since ABT could not completely suppress isoproturon degradation, it is possible that more than one monooxygenase is involved. © 1998 SCI     

Synthesis and Evaluation of New Ethyl 2,3- Dihydro-3-oxoisothiazolo[5,4-b]pyridine- 2-alkanoate Derivatives as Potential Herbicides

Several ethyl 2,3-dihydro-3-oxoisothiazolo[5,4-b]pyridine-2-alkanoate derivatives were synthesized as herbicides. Only 5-methyl derivatives inhibited both hypocotyl and root growth in the lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) seedling test at 100 mg litre^-1. Only ethyl propionate and valerate derivatives showed significant inhibition at 0·1 mg litre^-1, whereas ethyl acetate or butyrate derivatives were inactive. Contrary to unoxidized derivatives, the inhibitory effect of 1-oxide and 1,1-dioxide derivatives was strongly dependent on concentration; ethyl 2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-oxoisothiazolo[5,4-b]pyridine-2-propionate 1,1-dioxide inhibited 100% of germination at 100 mg litre^-1 and 45% of lettuce seedling growth at 0·1 mg litre^-1. Quantitative structure–inhibition of growth relationship analysis carried out by adaptive least-squares (ALS) method gave a good correlation with small and hydrophobic 5-substituents as well as with odd carbon-chain ethyl alkanoates in position 2. Active compounds did not show auxin-like activity from 0·1 to 100 mg litre^-1. © 1997 SCI.     

Laboratory Evaluation of the Novel Naturally Derived Compound Spinosad against Ceratitiscapitata

Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the effect of the naturally derived compound spinosad on Ceratitis capitata Wied. (Diptera, Tephritidae). The organophosphate fenthion was used as a standard. Direct dose-dependent mortality and reduced fecundity were observed in oral treatment of adults with spinosad. The LC₉₀ values 14 h and seven days after treatment were 19·50 and 0·49 mg litre⁻¹ respectively. Fenthion was less active (the LC₅₀ eight days after treatment was 1·17 mg litre⁻¹) and did not affect the fecundity of the fly. Adults were also very susceptible to spinosad and fenthion via residual contact. For spinosad, 100% mortality was recorded 48 h after treatment for a dose of 10 mg litre⁻¹. Spinosad was more effective than fenthion in suppressing larval development when neonate larvae were reared on treated diet supplemented with a range of concentrations from 0·02 to 0·83 mg kg⁻¹ diet. Last-instar larvae were much less susceptible to spinosad or fenthion when exposed via dipping or when they pupated in treated medium and both products had similar performance. A lack of ovicidal activity was observed in direct egg-treatments with spinosad but significant reductions from 1 mg litre⁻¹ onwards were recorded for fenthion.     

Some physicochemical factors influencing foliar uptake enhancement of glyphosatemono(isopropylammonium) by polyoxyethylene surfactants

Structure-concentration–foliar uptake enhancement relationships between commercial polyoxyethylene primary aliphatic alcohol (A), nonylphenol (NP), primary aliphatic amine (AM) surfactants and the herbicide glyphosatemono(isopropylammonium) were studied in experiments with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and field bean (Vicia faba L.) plants growing under controlled-environment conditions. Candidate surfactants had mean molar ethylene oxide (EO) contents ranging from 5 to 20 and were added at concentrations varying from 0·2 to 10 g litre^?-1 to [¹⁴C]glyphosate formulations in acetone–water. Rates and total amounts of herbicide uptake from c. 0·2–μl droplet applications of formulations to leaves were influenced by surfactant EO content, surfactant hydrophobe composition, surfactant concentration, glyphosate concentration and plant species, in a complex manner. Surfactant effects were most pronounced at 0·5 g acid equivalent (a.e.) glyphosate litre^?-1 where, for both target species, surfactants of high EO content (15–20) were most effective at enhancing herbicide uptake: surfactants of lower EO content (5–10) frequently reduced, or failed to improve, glyphosate absorption. Whereas, at optimal EO content, AM surfactants caused greatest uptake enhancement on wheat, A surfactants gave the best overall performance on field bean; NP surfactants were generally the least efficient class of adjuvants on both species. Threshold concentrations of surfactants needed to increase glyphosate uptake were much higher in field bean than wheat (c. 2 g litre^?-1 and < 1 g litre^?-1, respectively); less herbicide was taken up by both species at high AM surfactant concentrations. At 5 and 10 g a.e. glyphosate litre^?-1, there were substantial increases in herbicide absorption and surfactant addition could cause effects on uptake that were different from those observed at lower herbicide doses. In particular, the influence of EO content on glyphosate uptake was now much less marked in both species, especially with AM surfactants. The fundamental importance of glyphosate concentration for its uptake was further emphasised by experiments using formulations with constant a.i./surfactant weight ratios. Any increased foliar penetration resulting from inclusion of surfactants in 0·5 g litre^?-1 [¹⁴C]glyphosate formulations gave concomitant increases in the amounts of radiolabel that were translocated away from the site of application. At these low herbicide doses, translocation of absorbed [¹⁴C]glyphosate in wheat was c. twice that in field bean; surfactant addition to the formulation did not increase the proportion transported in wheat but substantially enhanced it in field bean.     

Effects of some foliar fungicides on the chrysomelid beetle Gastrophysa polygoni (L.)

The effects of the fungicides benomyl, thiophanate-methyl and triadimefon on the chrysomelid beetle Gastrophysa polygoni were investigated in the laboratory. Contact with a suspension of benomyl (1.5 g a. i. litre^?1 did not affect the hatchability of the eggs. Larvae were reared on shoots of knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare) that had been sprayed with suspensions of benomyl, ranging in concentration from 0.1 to 5.0 g a. i. litre^?1. The mortality to the adult stage, of larvae reared on shoots treated with concentrations of benomyl of 0.5 g a. i. litre^?1 and above, was significantly higher than that of control larvae. At concentrations of 2.0 g a. i. litre^?1 and above, no larvae survived to the adult stage. The LD₅₀ was 0.78 g a. i. benomyl litre^?1. The LT₅₀ values at concentrations of 1.0, 2.0 and 5.0 g a. i. benomyl litre^?1 were 22.6, 12.6 and 5.3 days, respectively. The mean weights of adults bred from larvae that had been reared on shoots treated with benomyl (0.5 and 1.0 g a. i. litre^?1) were significantly less than those of adults bred from control larvae. The mortality of larvae, reared on shoots of P. aviculare treated with triadimefon (0.5 g a. i. litre^?1) or thiophanate-methyl (1.0 g a. i. litre^?1), was also significantly higher than that of control larvae. Females kept on plants of P. aviculare treated with benomyl (1.5 g a. i. litre^?1) laid similar numbers of eggs to those kept on untreated plants, and the hatchability of the eggs was not affected.     

Depression of the minimum concentration of methyl bromide effective against diapausing warehouse moth larvae at 15°c by prior exposure at a moderate concentration

Warehouse moth (Ephestia elutella) larvae in diapause were exposed at 15°C to methyl bromide at 8 mg litre^?1 for 14.5 h and then immediately exposed at a lower concentration. The exposure at 8 mg litre^?1 killed 44–69% of the larvae treated. Subsequent concentrations down to 1.1 mg litre^?1 obeyed Haber's rule (concentration × time= k, a constant for mortality), but a higher concentration-time product (ct) was required for over 90% kill at 0.8 mg litre^?1. Only concentrations down to 1.9 mg litre^?1 obey Haber's rule if there is no prior exposure at a higher concentration. Although minimum effective concentrations are lower at 15°C than at 25°C, exposure at a higher concentration depresses the subsequent level to a similar extent at each temperature. The contribution to the efficacy of a treatment, of low concentrations persisting at the end of fumigation, is thus likely to be even greater at moderate to low temperatures than at 25°C. The implications for the development of resistance to methyl bromide are discussed.     

Effect of the ecdysone agonists,RH-2485 and tebufenozide,on the southwestern corn borer,Diatraea grandiosella

The effect of the ecdysone agonists RH-2485 (proposed name methoxyfenozide) and tebufenozide (RH-5992), was examined on eggs and larvae of the southwestern corn borer, Diatraea grandiosella Dyar. Both compounds exhibited a concentration-dependent ovicidal activity. More than 95% of eggs died when egg masses were dipped in solutions of 100 or 200 mg liter^-1 of either compound in acetone+distilled water (1+1 by volume). Although some eggs treated with 1 or 10 mg liter^-1 of the compounds hatched, the survival rate was low. Newly hatched larvae were fed for seven days on an artificial diet containing RH-2485 or tebufenozide. The LC₅₀ values were 0·049 mg kg^-1 for RH-2485 and 0·185 mg kg^-1 for tebufenozide, showing that RH-2485 was about four times more active than was tebufenozide. Although increasing the time of exposure to either compound decreased the LC₅₀ value significantly, the relative potency of RH-2485 versus tebufenozide was not changed. Newly ecdysed 4th-instar larvae fed with diets containing 0·125, 0·25 or 0·5 mg kg^-1 RH-2485 or tebufenozide ceased feeding approximately 8 h after exposure, indicating that larvae had prematurely entered a molting cycle. Larvae treated with RH-2485 ecdysed earlier and died more quickly than those treated with tebufenozide. Ingestion of sublethal concentrations of RH-2485 (0·005 and 0·01 mg kg^-1) or tebufenozide (0·03 and 0·06 mg kg^-1) retarded larval growth, and decreased pupal weight and adult emergence. Increasing exposure time to tebufenozide tended to increase the larval mortality, significantly retarded larval growth, and decreased the mean weights of male and female pupae and adult emergence. RH-2485 (0·125 and 0·25 mg kg^-1) and tebufenozide (0·25 and 0·5 mg kg^-1) were lethal to newly hatched larvae, even after diets containing these compounds were held for 20 days at 30°C under long days (16 h light: 8 h dark). Our results suggest that field trials to assess the potential of RH-2485 and tebufenozide to control D. grandiosella are warranted. © 1998 SCI     

Susceptibility pattern and development of resistance in the diamondback moth,Plutella xylostella L,to Bacillus thuringiensis Berl var kurstaki in India

Base‐line susceptibility for six‐day‐old larvae of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, against Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki (Biobit^®) was studied by a cabbage leaf disc dip bioassay technique. Diamondback moth from 13 locations in seven different states spread over a distance of about 3000 km longitudinally was used for these studies. Forty‐eight‐hour LC₅₀ values varied from 1.0 to 10.97 mg AI litre⁻¹. Further investigations on the development of resistance under laboratory conditions showed an increase in LC₅₀ from 2.76 (for unselected F₁ generation) to 5.28 mg AI litre⁻¹ (for selected F₉ generation), using a selection concentration of 6.4 mg AI litre⁻¹. This suggested a possibility of the development of resistance under field conditions if there were to be extensive and indiscriminate use of B thuringiensis. These findings are discussed in relation to integrated pest management and the mechanisms of resistance in resistance management tactics. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

The algaecidal activity of some substituted 1,3-diphenylureas, 1-phenyl-3-(2-pyridyl)ureas and the corresponding thioureas

Twelve ureas and thioureas with 1,3-diphenyl- and 1-phenyl-3-(2-pyridyl) were tested as potential herbicides in a simple screen against two species of algae Chlorella fusca and Anabaena variabilis. Several were shown to inhibit growth at 100 mg litre^?1 but only 1-[2,4-bis(azidosulphonyl)phenyl]-3-(2-pyridyl)urea and 1,3-bis(4-isopropyl- idenehydrazinosulphonylphenyl)thiourea showed any activity at 1 mg litre^?1. This compares with the well-established urea herbicide diuron which, in identical tests, gives similar inhibition of growth at concentrations as low as 0.01 mg litre^?1.     

Laboratory and field evaluation of spinosad against the gypsy moth,Lymantria dispar

The toxicity of the naturally derived insecticide spinosad was tested against the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar. Bioassays using red oak leaf disks, treated with spinosad in a Potter spray tower, yielded an LC₅₀ value of 0.0015 µg AI cm⁻² (3‐day exposure; 13‐day evaluation; 2nd instar larvae). Applied to foliage to run‐off in the laboratory (potted red oak seedlings) and the field (4 m‐tall birch trees), spinosad effectively controlled 2nd instar larvae at concentrations ranging from 3 to 50 mg litre⁻¹. Toxicity in the laboratory, and efficacy and persistence in the field, were comparable to those achieved with the insecticide permethrin. Laboratory studies supported field observations that control was achieved in part by knockdown due to paralysis. In addition, laboratory results demonstrated that crawling contact activity may play an important role in field efficacy; 50% of treated larvae were paralyzed 16 h after a 2‐min crawling exposure to glass coated with a 4 mg litre⁻¹ spinosad solution. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Deposition of aerially applied tebufenozide (RH5992) on balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and its control of spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana [Clem.])

A field trial was conducted in 1994 to determine the foliar deposit of tebufenozide (RH5992), applied aerially, and its efficacy against spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.). A commercial 240 g litre^-1 formulation of the insecticide (Mimic 240LV) was mixed with water, dyed with a tracer dye (Rhodamine WT) and sprayed with a light fixed-wing aircraft. Six application strategies were tested. Five used 70 g AI ha^-1 in a spray volume of 1 or 2 litre^-1 ha^-1 with single or double applications; the sixth was an unsprayed control. Results show that the spectra of the spray applications were, with one exception, fairly uniform. Volume and number median diameters ranged from 100 to 130 μm and 27 to 72 μm, respectively. Mean number of drops cm^-2 on Kromekote cards were <2·0 for strategies where either 1 or 2 litre ha^-1 were sprayed. Nevertheless no one strategy produced droplet densities that were significantly different (P<0·05) from the other strategies. Tebufenozide recovered from foliage averaged 2·5 to 5·9 μg g foliage^-1 when 1 litre ha^-1 was sprayed and 5·8 to 6·8 μg g foliage^-1 after 2 litre ha^-1 were sprayed. When a single application was the strategy used, the mean number of droplets cm^-2 and μg tebufenozide g foliage^-1 ranged from 1·2 to 1·4 and 2·5 to 5·9, respectively. With double applications, the same response parameters ranged from 0·3 to 1·9 and 2·5 to 6·8, respectively. Budworm population reductions (%) and the number of larvae that survived tebufenozide treatments were significantly different (P<0·05) from the controls. After strategies that used 1 litre spray ha^-1, mean percentage population reductions ranged from 61·4 to 93·6 whereas populations were reduced by 85·6 to 98·3% when 2 litre ha^-1 were sprayed. After double applications the mean percentage population reductions ranged from 93·6 to 98·3, but single application strategies resulted in mean reductions of 61 to 86%. Mean population reductions in the controls were 61%. The mean number of larvae per branch that survived spray strategies of 1 litre ha^-1 ranged from 1·3 to 7·4, and from 0·4 to 1·3 when 2 litre ha^-1 was the spray volume. In the controls an average of 10·2 larvae survived. With one exception, mean percentage defoliation in the treated areas was also significantly less (P<0·05) than that in the control. Mean defoliation in trees sprayed at 1 litre spray ha^-1 ranged from 40 to 62·8% whereas those treated at 2 litre ha^-1 had mean defoliation levels from 31·5 to 62·8%. In contrast, average defoliation in the controls was 92·1%. When a single application was the spray strategy, mean defoliation ranged from 31·5 to 62·8%. These data imply that a double application of tebufenozide at 70 g in 2 litre ha^-1 was the most efficacious strategy. However, analyses of the data also show that the primary influence on deposits and defoliation was interactions between number of applications and spray. Nevertheless the two independent variables acted without significant interactions when influencing percentage reductions of spruce budworm populations. © 1998 SCI     

Effect of temperature on the toxicity of low concentrations of methyl bromide to diapausing larvae of the warehouse moth Ephestia elutella (Hübner)

The performance of low concentrations of methyl bromide against diapausing larvae of Ephestia elutella at 15 and 25°C was assessed in extended exposure periods. At concentrations of 1.9 mg litre^?1 and below, test batches required higher concentration-time (ct) products for 100% kill at 25°C than at 15°C. The minimum concentration at which the concentration: time relationship still applied was between 1.3 and 1.9 mg litre^?1 at 15°C, whereas at 25°C it was between 2.7 and 4.0 mg litre^?1. For many individuals within each population sample, however, lower concentrations at moderate dosage levels remained lethal. At 25°C, a ct product of about 90 mg litre^?1 h gave between 53 and 77% kill at 6.1, 4.0, 2.7 and 1.9 mg litre^?1. The trends observed suggest that the most tolerant members of the population have an enhanced ability to detoxify methyl bromide at the higher temperature. The implications of the results for the build-up of resistance and for practical control measures are discussed.     

Comparative SAR Evaluations of Annonaceous Acetogenins for Pesticidal Activity

The activities of 44 Annonaceous acetogenins, which were originally isolated by monitoring plant fractionations with the brine shrimp lethality test (BST), were evaluated in the yellow fever mosquito larvae microtiter plate (YFM) assay. The results clearly demonstrate that most acetogenins have pesticidal properties. The structure–activity relationships indicate that the compounds bearing adjacent bis-THF (tetrahydrofuran) rings with three hydroxyl groups are the most potent. Bullatacin ( 1 ) and trilobin ( 7 ) gave the best activities against YFM with LC₅₀ values of 0·10 and 0·67 mg litre^-1, respectively. Compounds showing LC₅₀ values below 1·0 mg litre^-1 in this assay are usually considered significant as new lead candidates for pesticidal development. In the BST, the corresponding LC₅₀ values were 1·6×10^-3 ( 1 ) and 9·7×10^-3 ( 7 ) mg litre^-1. This is the first report of pesticidal structure–activity relationships for a series of Annonaceous acetogenins which are known to act, at least in part, as potent inhibitors of mitochondrial NADH: ubiquinone oxidoreductase. © of SCI.     

Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies for the specific detection of the herbicide acifluorfen and related compounds

Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies reactive with acifluorfen (AF) were prepared by the immunization of, respectively, rabbits and mice with AF-bovine serum albumin conjugates. The reactivities of polyclonal antibody and three monoclonal antibodies (AF 9-1, AF 51-5 and AF 75-144) were examined in an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (C-ELISA). The polyclonal antibody reacted with AF at concentrations of 1·5 to 800 μg litre^-1, while the monoclonal antibodies reacted with AF at concentrations of 3 to 24 μg litre^-1 for AF 9-1, 1·5 to 12 μg litre^-1 for AF 51-5 and 12 to 48 μg litre^-1 for AF 75-144. In the presence of up to 40% methanol in C-ELISA, the monoclonal antibodies, particularly AF 75-144, were less affected in their reactivities with AF than was the polyclonal antibody. Moreover AF 9-1 and AF 51-5 specifically reacted with acifluorfen-methyl and oxyfluorfen, while AF 75-144 reacted with chlornitrofen which did not react with the other antibodies. These results indicated that the antibodies are useful for the assay of AF and its related compounds. © 1997 SCI.     

Fumigant Toxicity of Citruspeel Oils against Adult and Immature Stages of Storage Insect Pests

The biological action of citruspeel oils was shown to depend on a strong fumigant action. Bioassays conducted in air-tight glass chambers showed that all the six citrus oils tested had vapour toxicity towards adults of Callosobruchus maculatus F., Sitophilus zeamais Motsch. and Dermestes maculatus Deg. The 24-h LC₅₀ value of limepeel oil (a typical citrus oil) vapour against C. Maculatus was 7·99 μl litre⁻¹ which made it 1·5 and 1·6 times less toxic against the smaller S. zeamais and the larger D. maculatus adult insects. When immature stages were fumigated, limepeel oil vapour had 24-h LC₅₀ values of 7·8 and 21·5 μl litre⁻¹ against eggs of C. maculatus and D. maculatus respectively, and 9·1, 17·8 and 23·1, 23·9 μl litre⁻¹ against early larvae, pupae of C. maculatus and late larvae, pupae of D. maculatus respectively. X-ray studies showed that fumigated C. maculatus larvae within cowpea grains died immediately without further development. The bioactivities of five other citruspeel oils were similar to that of limepeel oil. Bioassays showed that sorption of citruspeel oil fumes occurred in the presence of grains or strips of dried fish, and that this tended to reduce the amount available for fumigant action outside the materials. The problems presented by sorption may hinder the development of citrus oils into practical fumigants for large-scale treatments of stored commodities.     

Use of a field-scale biofilter for the degradation of the organophosphate insecticide coumaphos in cattle dip wastes

Insecticide wastes generated from livestock dipping operations are well suited for biodegradation processes since these wastes are concentrated, contained, and have no other significant toxic components. A field-scale biofilter capable of treating 15000-litre batches of dip waste containing the acaricide coumaphos was used to reduce the coumaphos concentration in two successive 11000-litre batch trials from 2000 mg litre^-1 to 10 mg litre^-1 in approximately 14 days at 25–29°C. Removal of coumaphos from the biofilter effluent is a function of both physical filtration and biodegradation by the biofilter. However, stoichiometric increases in chloride levels in the effluent as coumaphos concentrations decreased confirmed that coumaphos was being degraded by the biofilter rather than just being filtered out. In subsequent 5500-litre batch experiments, the addition of a vitamin supplement to the biofilter-treated dip resulted in a further decrease in coumaphos concentration to approximately 1 mg litre^-1. Results from incubations of two representative Texas soils with biofilter-treated dip spiked with [benzo-U-¹⁴C] coumaphos revealed that 32–36% of the spiked [¹⁴C] coumaphos was mineralized in the soils after 110 days at 30°C. © 1998 SCI.     

Degradation of mecoprop at different concentrations in surface and sub-surface soil

Biodegradation of [ring-¹⁴C] mecoprop (2-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)propionic acid) was determined in surface and sub-surface soil at concentrations of 0·0005, 0·05, 0·5, 5, 50, 500, 5000 and 25000 mg kg^-1. The kinetics of mineralisation were evaluated from the mineralisation rates as a function of time and by non-linear regression analysis. In the sub-surface soil, degradation was 6–8 times slower than in surface soil, but the shape of the curves was the same in both layers. At concentrations between 0·0005 and 0·5 mg kg^-1, in both surface and sub-surface soil, degradation was initially zero-order followed by first-order kinetics. At 5 to 500 mg kg^-1 in surface soil and 5 to 50 mg kg^-1 in sub-surface soil the degradation rate was initially either constant or decreasing followed by exponential degradation indicating increasing populations of mecoprop decomposers in the soil. At 5000 and 25000 mg kg^-1 in the surface soil and at 500, 5000 and 25000 mg kg^-1 in the sub-surface soil, the degradation was negligible, as determined by the percentage [¹⁴C] carbon dioxide evolved. By non-linear regression, the three-half order model was found to describe the mineralisation. © 1998 SCI     

Effect of short exposures to a high concentration on the subsequent toxicity of low concentrations of methyl bromide to diapausing larvae of the warehouse moth,Ephestia elutella (Hübner)

Ephestia elutella larvae in diapause were exposed at 25°C to methyl bromide at 12 mg litre^?1 for 3.5 or 7.5 h and then immediately exposed to a lower concentration. The minimum effective concentration (that at which Haber's rule, concentration × time = k, a constant for mortality, still applied) was about 3 mg litre^?1 in tests with no previous exposure toa high concentration, but it was about 2.5 mg litre^?1 for individuals surviving a 3.5 h exposure to 12 mg litre^?1, and was about 1.6 mg litre^?1 for those surviving a 7.5 h exposure to 12 mg litre^?1. These exposures to 12 mg litre^?1, respectively, killed 2–20% and 50–75% of larvae exposed, and hence the smaller the proportion of survivors of exposure to a high concentration, the lower the minimum effective concentration needed against them. Thus the low concentration persisting at the end of a practical fumigation should contribute significantly to the success of the treatment and be much more effective than any similar low concentration present soon after the introduction of gas.     

Presence of Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors in the Cattle Tick Boophilus microplus and in Epithelial Tissue Culture Cells of Chironomus tentans

A muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) has been demonstrated and partially characterized in larvae of the cattle tick Boophilus microplus. Its properties are compared with mAChR from an epithelial cell line from the dipteran insect Chironomus tentans. Competition studies with cholinergic ligands of different specificity revealed the muscarinic nature of the cholinergic receptors investigated in both species. In homogenates from tick larvae, specific binding sites for [³H]quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) with high affinity (1·2±(0·13) nM ; B_max 22·5 pmol mg protein⁻¹) were detected that do not bind nicotinic compounds specifically. The estimated IC₅₀ values for nicotine, imidacloprid and α-bungarotoxin were all in the mM range. Additionally, with tick larvae, high-affinity nicotinic binding sites were detected with [³H]nicotine which could be displaced by high concentrations of imidacloprid or QNB. The estimated IC₅₀ values for nicotine, α-bungarotoxin, imidacloprid and QNB were 43(±8) nM , 0·8(±0·2) μM , 2·8(±0·6) μM and 78(±1·9) μM , respectively. With homogenates of the non-neuronal insect cell line from C. tentans, only high-affinity binding sites for [³H]QNB were found. Muscarinic antagonists selectively displaced [³H]quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) binding to tick larvae homogenates. The mAChR of B. microplus preferred pirenzepine (IC₅₀ 2·13(±1·02) μM ) among different subtype-specific mAChR antagonists (4-DAMP had IC₅₀ 49·9(±9·13) μM and methoctramine had IC₅₀ 121(±14·2) μM ) indicating a type of binding site similar to the vertebrate M1 mAChR subtype. The tick muscarinic receptor seems to be a G-protein-coupled receptor, as concluded from the 4·8-fold reduction in receptor affinity for binding of the muscarinic agonist oxotremorine M upon treatment with the non-hydrolysable GTP-analogue γ-S-GTP. Binding data for the agonists oxotremorine M (IC₅₀ 71·3(±19·6) μM ) and carbachol (IC₅₀ 253(±87·1) μM ) parallel the biological efficacy of these compounds, in that, while oxotremorine M showed some activity against ticks, carbachol was ineffective.     

Enzyme immunoassay for atrazine analysis in water and soil

Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) has been tested for the detection of atrazine in soil and water. EIA kits and atrazine-fortified samples were received from the International Atomic Energy Agency. Atrazine concentrations of about 0·01 μg litre^-1 could be detected and the central detection point was found at about 0·15 μg litre^-1 which is a reasonably sensitive region for atrazine. A validation study with spiked local water samples yielded acceptable results. No treatment was required for water samples. Extraction of atrazine from soil was done by simple shaking with methanol without any clean-up steps. Detection limits of 1×10^-2 μg litre^-1 for water and 5×10^-3 μg kg^-1 for soil were achieved. © 1998 SCI.