Environmental fate of herbicides trifluralin, metazachlor, metamitron and sulcotrione compared with that of glyphosate, a substitute broad spectrum herbicide for different glyphosate-resistant crops

The introduction of crops resistant to the broad spectrum herbicide glyphosate, N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, may constitute an answer to increased contamination of the environment by herbicides, since it should reduce the total amount of herbicide needed and the number of active ingredients. However, there are few published data comparing the fate of glyphosate in the environment, particularly in soil, with that of substitute herbicides. The objective of this study is to compare the fate of glyphosate in three soils with that of four herbicides frequently used on crops that might be glyphosate resistant: trifluralin, alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine, and metazachlor, 2-chloro-N-(pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)acet-2',6'-xylidide for oilseed rape, metamitron, 4-amino-4,5-dihydro-3-methyl-6-phenyl-1,2,4-triazin-5-one for sugarbeet and sulcotrione, 2-(2-chloro-4-mesylbenzoyl)cyclohexane-1,3-dione for maize. The distribution of herbicides between the volatilized, mineralized, extractable and non-extractable fractions was studied, along with the formation of their metabolites in laboratory experiments using 14C-labelled herbicides, over a period of 140 days. The main dissipation pathways were mineralization for glyphosate and sulcotrione, volatilization for trifluralin and non-extractable residues formation for metazachlor and metamitron. The five herbicides had low persistence. Glyphosate had the shortest half-life, which varied with soil type, whereas trifluralin had the longest. The half-lives of metazachlor and sulcotrione were comparable, whereas that of metamitron was highly variable. Glyphosate, metazachlor and sulcotrione were degraded into persistent metabolites. Low amounts of trifluralin and metamitron metabolites were observed. At 140 days after herbicide applications, the amounts of glyphosate and its metabolite residues in soils were the lowest in two soils, but not in the third soil, a loamy sand with low pH. The environmental advantage in using glyphosate due to its rapid degradation is counterbalanced by accumulation of aminomethylphosphonic acid specifically in the context of extensive use of glyphosate.     

Inheritance of Resistance to Watermelon mosaic virus in Cucumis melo that Impairs Virus Accumulation, Symptom Expression, and Aphid Transmission

ABSTRACT The Cucumis melo accession TGR-1551 was found to be resistant to Watermelon mosaic virus (WMV, genus Potyvirus, family Potyviridae). The resistance resulted in a drastic and significant reduction of virus titer and infected plants were asymptomatic or exhibited mild disease symptoms. The same gene or closely linked genes restricted virus accumulation and ameliorated symptom expression. No effect was observed on virus accumulation in inoculated leaves, which suggested that the initial phases of infection were not affected. The resistance was effective against a range of WMV isolates from Spanish melon production areas. Using aphid inoculations, resistant plants showed a lower propensity for infection by WMV and for serving as virus sources for secondary spread once infected. Resistance was determined to be under recessive genetic control.     

Resistance to Monopartite Begomoviruses Associated with the Bean Leaf Crumple Disease in Phaseolus vulgaris Controlled by a Single Dominant Gene

ABSTRACT Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) and Tomato yellow leaf curl Málaga virus are monopartite begomoviruses (genus Begomovirus, family Geminiviridae) that infect common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), causing bean leaf crumple disease (BLCD). This disease was found to be widespread in southern Spain and causes stunted growth, flower abortion, and leaf and pod deformation in common bean plants. Commercial yield losses of up to 100% occur. In the present study, we have identified and characterized a resistance trait to BLCD-associated viruses in the common bean breeding line GG12. This resistance resulted in a complete absence of BLCD symptoms under field conditions or after experimental inoculation. Our analysis showed that virus replication was not inhibited. However, a severe restriction to systemic virus accumulation occurred in resistant plants, suggesting that cell-to-cell or long-distance movement were impaired. In addition, recovery from virus infection was observed in resistant plants. The reaction of P. vulgaris lines GG12 (resistant) and GG14 (susceptible), and of F(1), F(2), and backcross populations derived from them, to TYLCV inoculation suggested that a single dominant gene conferred the BLCD resistance described here.     

Influence of formulation on triticonazole solubilisation and sorption in a soil–water system

The effect of agronomic doses of three suspension concentrate formulations and two anionic surfactant adjuvants on the solubilisation and sorption characteristics of triticonazole fungicide in a loamy clay soil was investigated. Soil sorption of [¹⁴C]triticonazole alone, in the formulations, and in the presence of increasing doses of formulation additives was measured using the classical batch equilibration technique. Triticonazole solubilisation in water‐formulation systems was also evaluated using a batch procedure, and sorption of the formulation aqueous phases on soil was examined. Solubilisation of triticonazole in the formulation systems occurred in excess of the solubility in water (S_w). This was attributed to triticonazole association with surfactant monomers. Sorption isotherms of triticonazole with diluted surfactants and other formulation additives were similar to that of triticonazole alone. We concluded that in soil‐formulation systems, triticonazole solubilisation in excess of the S_w may increase the amount available in soil solution for plant absorption. However, triticonazole molecules preferentially associated with the soil surfaces, and the presence of diluted amounts of the formulation adjuvants would not significantly affect the soil sorption process. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Modeling spatial distribution of European badger in arid landscapes: an ecosystem functioning approach

Understanding the factors determining the spatial distribution of species is a major challenge in ecology and conservation. This study tests the use of ecosystem functioning variables, derived from satellite imagery data, to explore their potential use in modeling the distribution of the European badger in Mediterranean arid environments. We found that the performance of distribution models was enhanced by the inclusion of variables derived from the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), such as mean EVI (a proxy for primary production), the coefficient of variation of mean EVI (an indicator of seasonality), and the standard deviation of mean EVI (representing spatial heterogeneity of primary production). We also found that distributions predicted by remote sensing data were consistent with the ecological preferences of badger in those environments, which may be explained by the link between EVI-derived variables and the spatial and temporal variability of food resource availability. In conclusion, we suggest the incorporation of variables associated with ecosystem function into species modeling exercises as a useful tool for improving decision-making related to wildlife conservation and management.     

Contribution of human alpha-defensin 1, 2, and 3 to the anti-HIV-1 activity of CD8 antiviral factor

It has been known since 1986 that CD8 T lymphocytes from certain HIV-1-infected individuals who are immunologically stable secrete a soluble factor, termed CAF, that suppresses HIV-1 replication. However, the identity of CAF remained elusive despite an extensive search. By means of a protein-chip technology, we identified a cluster of proteins that were secreted when CD8 T cells from long-term nonprogressors with HIV-1 infection were stimulated. These proteins were identified as alpha-defensin 1, 2, and 3 on the basis of specific antibody recognition and amino acid sequencing. CAF activity was eliminated or neutralized by an antibody specific for human alpha-defensins. Synthetic and purified preparations of alpha-defensins also inhibited the replication of HIV-1 isolates in vitro. Taken together, our results indicate that alpha-defensin 1, 2, and 3 collectively account for much of the anti-HIV-1 activity of CAF that is not attributable to beta-chemokines.