Recent technologies for glyphosate removal from aqueous environment: A critical review.

The growing demand for food has led to an increase in the use of herbicides and pesticides over the years. One of the most widely used herbicides is glyphosate (GLY). It has been used extensively since 1974 for weed control and is currently classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Group 2A substance, probably carcinogenic to humans. The industry and academia have some disagreements regarding GLY toxicity in humans and its effects on the environment. Even though this herbicide is not mentioned in the WHO water guidelines, some countries have decided to set maximum acceptable concentrations in tap water, while others have decided to ban its use in crop production completely. Researchers around the world have employed different technologies to remove or degrade GLY, mostly at the laboratory scale. Water treatment plants combine different technologies to remove it alongside other water pollutants, in some cases achieving acceptable removal efficiencies. Certainly, there are many challenges in upscaling purification technologies due to the costs and lack of factual information about their adverse effects. This review presents different technologies that have been used to remove GLY from water since 2012 to date, its detection and removal methods, challenges, and future perspectives.

Normalized difference vegetation index for desiccation evaluation with glyphosate + 2, 4-D in magnetized spray solution / Índice de vegetação por diferença normalizada para avaliação de dessecação com glyphosate + 2, 4-D em calda magnetizada

Water magnetization and geoprocessing are increasingly utilized tools in weed management. Our objective was to study the influence of water magnetization on herbicide efficiency and to verify whether there is a relationship between control scores and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). In the laboratory experiment, water was subjected to magnetization and evaluated with respect to four characteristics. In the field experiment, plots of Brachiaria grass were subjected to treatments in a factorial scheme (6 × 2 + 1). Six herbicidal factors (doses of glyphosate and glyphosate + 2,4-D) and the magnetization or absence of magnetization of the spray solution were evaluated and compared against the control treatment (without spraying). Weed control assessments were carried out six times. Images were obtained using an embedded multispectral camera to determine the NDVI values. Data related to water characteristics were analyzed using the t test. Weed control and NDVI data were subjected to analysis of variance and are presented in regression graphs. Dispersion analysis of NDVI data was performed according to the control scores. The magnetization process decreased the pH of the water and increased the surface tension, but it did not influence the control scores or the NDVI. As the glyphosate dose was increased, the control scores were higher and the NDVI values were lower. Magnetized water did not affect the biological efficiency of the herbicides, and there was a strong correlation between the control scores and the NDVI values.

A magnetização da água e o geoprocessamento são ferramentas cada vez mais utilizadas no manejo de ervas daninhas. Nosso objetivo foi estudar a influência da magnetização da água na eficiência do herbicida e verificar se existe uma relação entre os escores de controle e o índice de vegetação por diferença normalizada (NDVI). No experimento de laboratório, a água foi submetida à magnetização e avaliada em relação a quatro características. No experimento de campo, parcelas de capim-braquiária foram submetidas a tratamentos em esquema fatorial (6 × 2 + 1). Seis fatores herbicidas (doses de glyphosate e glyphosate + 2,4-D) e a magnetização ou ausência de magnetização da calda foram avaliados e comparados com o tratamento controle (sem pulverização). Avaliações de controle de plantas daninhas foram realizadas seis vezes. As imagens foram obtidas usando uma câmera multiespectral incorporada para determinar os valores de NDVI. Os dados relacionados às características da água foram analisados por meio do teste t. O controle de plantas daninhas e os dados de NDVI foram submetidos à análise de variância e são apresentados em gráficos de regressão. A análise de dispersão dos dados NDVI foi realizada de acordo com os escores de controle. O processo de magnetização diminuiu o pH da água e aumentou a tensão superficial, mas não influenciou nos escores de controle ou no NDVI. Conforme a dose de glyphosate foi aumentada, os escores de controle foram maiores e os valores de NDVI foram menores. A água magnetizada não afetou a eficiência biológica dos herbicidas, e houve uma forte correlação entre os escores de controle e os valores de NDVI.

Modeling the evolution of herbicide resistance in weed species with a complex life cycle.

A growing number of weed species have evolved resistance to herbicides in recent years, which causes an immense financial burden to farmers. An increasingly popular method of weed control is the adoption of crops that are resistant to specific herbicides, which allows farmers to apply the herbicide during the growing season without harming the crop. If such crops are planted in the presence of closely related weed species, it is possible that resistance genes could transfer from the crop species to feral populations of the wild species via gene flow and become stably introgressed under ongoing selective pressure by the herbicide. We use a density-dependent matrix model to evaluate the effect of planting such crops on the evolution of herbicide resistance under a range of management scenarios. Our model expands on previous simulation studies by considering weed species with a more complex life cycle (perennial, rhizomatous weed species), studying the effect of environmental variation in herbicide effectiveness, and evaluating the role of common simplifying genetic assumptions on resistance evolution. Our model predictions are qualitatively similar to previous modeling studies using species with a simpler life cycle, which is, crop rotation in combination with rotation of herbicide site of action effectively controls weed populations and slows the evolution of herbicide resistance. We find that ignoring the effect of environmental variation can lead to an over- or under-prediction of the speed of resistance evolution. The effect of environmental variation in herbicide effectiveness depends on the resistance allele frequency in the weed population at the beginning of the simulation. Finally, we find that degree of dominance and ploidy level have a much larger effect on the predicted speed of resistance evolution compared to the rate of gene flow.

Can a successional crop system associated with preemergent herbicides be a tool to control weeds?

The objective of this research was to evaluate weed control in a successional soybean-sorghum system by using preemergent herbicides. Two trials were conducted in soybean and two in sorghum, in different soil types (sandy in Rio Verde city and clayey in Montividiu city). All trials were established in a completely randomized block design with five preemergent herbicides in soybean (rates in): diclosulam 35.3 g a.i.·ha­1, chlorimuron 20 g a.i.·ha­1, sulfentrazone 200 g a.i.·ha­1, flumioxazin 50 g a.i.·ha­1, S-metolachlor 1728 g a.i.·ha­1, and two controls (hand weeded and untreated). Treatments in sorghum trials were the same to the soybean plus atrazine 1250 g a.i.·ha­1 and atrazine 1250 g a.i.·ha­1 + S-metolachlor 1728 g a.i.·ha­1. All treatments had four replicates. Weed control was assessed at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after planting (DAP) in both crops. In addition, yield was measured when grains reached physiological maturity. All preemergent herbicide treatments successfully controlled weeds, specially Commelina benghalensis, Cenchrus echinatus and Eleusine indica, in both soybean trials until 28 DAP. In some weeds of sorghum, sulfentrazone, diclosulam and chlorimuron sprayed at soybean preemergence performed better than atrazine sprayed at sorghum preemergence. All preemergent herbicides sprayed at soybean preemergence did not affect soybean and sorghum yield, showing similarity with the hand weeded treatment. The results of this research provide evidence that the mix of crop succession and preemergent herbicide applications can be a strong strategy for integrated weed management.

Strigolactones, from Plants to Human Health: Achievements and Challenges.

Strigolactones (SLs) are a class of sesquiterpenoid plant hormones that play a role in the response of plants to various biotic and abiotic stresses. When released into the rhizosphere, they are perceived by both beneficial symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi and parasitic plants. Due to their multiple roles, SLs are potentially interesting agricultural targets. Indeed, the use of SLs as agrochemicals can favor sustainable agriculture via multiple mechanisms, including shaping root architecture, promoting ideal branching, stimulating nutrient assimilation, controlling parasitic weeds, mitigating drought and enhancing mycorrhization. Moreover, over the last few years, a number of studies have shed light onto the effects exerted by SLs on human cells and on their possible applications in medicine. For example, SLs have been demonstrated to play a key role in the control of pathways related to apoptosis and inflammation. The elucidation of the molecular mechanisms behind their action has inspired further investigations into their effects on human cells and their possible uses as anti-cancer and antimicrobial agents.

Competitive interaction and economic injury level of Urochloa plantaginea in corn hybrids / Interação competitiva e nível de dano econômico de papuã em híbridos de milho

Identifying the competitive ability of corn hybrids and the economic injury level (EIL) caused by Urochloa plantaginea is important for the adoption of integrated management of this weed. This work aims to evaluate the interference and EIL of U. plantaginea infesting corn hybrids. Treatments included the corn hybrids Syngenta Status VIP3, Syngenta SX8394 VIP3, Pioneer P1630H, Pioneer 30F53 YH, and Dow 135021, as well as 12 densities of U. plantaginea for each hybrid. We used a rectangular hyperbolic model to describe the relationship between corn grain productivity loss and the explanatory variables ­ plant density (PD), dry mass (DM) of the aerial parts, ground cover (GC), and leaf area (LA). EIL was determined using grain productivity, control cost, corn price, and herbicide efficacy. The rectangular hyperbolic model provides a satisfactory estimate of grain productivity loss regarding the interference of U. plantaginea in corn culture. The hybrids Pioneer 30F53 YH and Pioneer P1630H presented better competitiveness and higher EIL. Sowing the hybrids Pioneer P1630H, Pioneer 30F53 YH, and Dow 135021 increased EIL, justifying the adoption of control measures for U. plantaginea at higher densities.(AU)

A identificação da habilidade competitiva de híbridos de milho e do nível de dano econômico (NDE) ocasionado pelo papuã (Urochloa plantaginea) torna-se importante para a adoção do manejo integrado dessa planta daninha. Diante disso, objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a interferência e o NDE de papuã infestante de híbridos de milho. Os tratamentos foram compostos pelos híbridos de milho Syngenta Status VIP 3, Syngenta SX8394 VIP 3, Pioneer P1630H, Pioneer 30F53 YH e Dow 135021 e 12 densidades de plantas de papuã para cada híbrido. Para descrever a relação entre a perda de produtividade de grãos do milho e as variáveis explicativas densidade de plantas (DP), massa seca da parte aérea (MS), cobertura do solo (CS) e área foliar (AF), usou-se o modelo da hipérbole retangular. A determinação do NDE foi efetuada usando-se a produtividade de grãos, custo de controle, preço do milho e eficiência do herbicida. O modelo da hipérbole retangular estima de modo satisfatório as perdas de produtividade de grãos em função da interferência do papuã na cultura do milho. Os híbridos Pionner 30F53 YH e Pionner P1630H apresentaram melhor competitividade e os maiores NDEs. A semeadura dos híbridos Pioneer P1630H, Pioneer 30F53 YH e Dow 135021 aumenta o NDE, justificando a adoção de medidas de controle em densidades mais elevadas.(AU)

Does the sequence of addition of herbicide and adjuvants to the spray solution influence sicklepod control? / A sequência de adição de herbicida e adjuvantes à calda influencia no controle de fedegoso?

The use of adjuvants associated with herbicides aims at improving the performance of application and the consequent increase in the biological effect of the treatment. However, the sequence of product added to the sprayer tank can influence the phytosanitary spray solution. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the control of Senna obtusifolia as a function of the sequence of addition of the herbicide aminopyralid + fluroxypyr and adjuvants in the preparation of spray solution. Two herbicide doses (1 and 2 L c.p. ha-1) associated with the adjuvants mineral oil (MO), silicone polyether copolymer (SIL), and a mixture of phosphatidylcholine and propionic acid (LEC), all in the proportion of 0.3% v v-1, with alternate addition to the spray solution to evaluate the effects of the preparation sequence. The spray solution volume considered was 150 L ha-1. Evaluations of spray solution stability were performed from the visual evaluation of homogeneity, electrical conductivity, and pH. The effect of treatment on S. obtusifolia control was measured using a scoring scale and dry matter. Correlation coefficients between the evaluations were also determined. No difference of the preparation sequence of spray solution was observed for stability, pH, and electrical conductivity, but an influence was observed on S. obtusifolia control, without changing dry matter accumulation. The treatment with the adjuvant LEC previously added to the herbicide provided a higher control rate at the highest dose, while the adjuvant SIL had the opposite effect.(AU)

O uso de adjuvantes associados a herbicidas visa melhorar o desempenho da aplicação e o consequente aumento do efeito biológico do tratamento. Porém, a ordem de adição dos produtos ao tanque do pulverizador pode trazer importantes influências à calda fitossanitária. Assim, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o controle de Senna obtusifolia em função da sequência de adição do herbicida aminopiralide + fluroxipir e de adjuvantes no preparo das caldas. Foram utilizadas duas dosagens de herbicida (1 e 2 L p.c. ha-1), associadas aos adjuvantes óleo mineral (OM); copolímero de poliéter e silicone (SIL); mistura de fosfatidicolina e ácido propiônico (LEC), todos na proporção de 0,3% v v-1, com adição alternada à calda para avaliar os efeitos da sequência de preparo. O volume de calda considerado foi de 150 L ha-1. Foram realizadas avaliações da estabilidade da calda a partir da avaliação visual de homogeneidade, condutividade elétrica e pH. O efeito do tratamento no controle de S. obtusifolia foi mensurado por meio de uma escala de pontuação e pela massa seca. Também foram determinados os coeficientes de correlação entre as avaliações. Verificou-se que não houve diferença da sequência de preparo da calda para a estabilidade, o pH e a condutividade elétrica. Porém, a sequência de preparo influenciou o controle inicial de S. obtusifolia, sem efeito sobre a massa seca. O tratamento com o adjuvante LEC adicionado ao herbicida proporcionou maior taxa de controle na maior dosagem, enquanto o adjuvante de SIL teve o efeito oposto.(AU)

Natural herbicide activity of Satureja hortensis L. essential oil nanoemulsion on the seed germination and morphophysiological features of two important weed species.

The aim of the present study was to obtain an oil/water (O/W) nanoemulsion (NE) containing garden savory (Satureja hortensis) essential oil (EO) and evaluating its herbicidal activity against Amaranthus retroflexus and Chenopodium album. Gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were employed to determine the chemical composition of the EO. Carvacrol (55.6%) and γ-terpinene (31.9%) were the major EO components. Low energy method was applied, allowing achievement of EO nanodroplets. The NE also presented low polydispersity, and the mean droplet was below 130nm even after storage for 30d. Laboratory tests showed that the NE at different concentrations (100, 200, 400, 800, and 1000µL.L-1) significantly (P≤0.05) reduced the germination indices and the seedling's growth in dose-response. The inhibitory effect was the greatest at 800µL.L-1 NE. Overall, root length was more inhibited as compared to shoot length. Post-emergence application of NE at different concentrations (1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000µL.L-1 of EO) on 2-4 true leaves' stage of the weeds caused significant (P≤0.05) decrease in the growth factors in dose-dependent manner. Complete lethality was observed by 4000µL.L-1 NE sprayed on the weeds. Spraying of NE significantly (P≤0.05) reduced chlorophyll content in the tested weeds. Increasing in relative electrolyte leakage (REL) 1 and 5d after treatment represented significant cell membrane disruption and increased cell membrane permeability. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) pictures confirmed NE droplet size and demonstrated membrane destruction. The study approved that the NE of S. hortensis EO has herbicidal properties as it has high phytotoxic effect, and interferes with the germination, growth and physiological processes of the weeds. The production of NE from S. hortensis EO is a low energy method that offers a promising practical natural herbicide for weed control in organic agricultural systems.

4-Hydroxyphenylpyruvate Dioxygenase and Its Inhibition in Plants and Animals: Small Molecules as Herbicides and Agents for the Treatment of Human Inherited Diseases.

This review mainly focuses on the physiological function of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD), as well as on the development and application of HPPD inhibitors of several structural classes. Among them, one illustrative example is represented by compounds belonging to the class of triketone compounds. They were discovered by serendipitous observations on weed growth and were developed as bleaching herbicides. Informed reasoning on nitisinone (NTBC, 14), a triketone that failed to reach the final steps of the herbicidal design and development process, allowed it to become a curative agent for type I tyrosinemia (T1T) and to enter clinical trials for alkaptonuria. These results boosted the research of new compounds able to interfere with HPPD activity to be used for the treatment of the tyrosine metabolism-related diseases.

Suicidal germination for parasitic weed control.

Parasitic weeds of the genera Striga and Orobanche spp. cause severe yield losses in agriculture, especially in developing countries and the Mediterranean. Seeds of these weeds germinate by a chemical signal exuded by the roots of host plants. The radicle thus produced attaches to the root of the host plant, which can then supply nutrients to the parasite. There is an urgent need to control these weeds to ensure better agricultural production. The naturally occurring chemical signals are strigolactones (SLs), e.g. strigol and orobanchol. One option to control these weeds involves the use of SLs as suicidal germination agents, where germination takes place in the absence of a host. Owing to the lack of nutrients, the germinated seeds will die. The structure of natural SLs is too complex to allow multigram synthesis. Therefore, SL analogues are developed for this purpose. Examples are GR24 and Nijmegen-1. In this paper, the SL analogues Nijmegen-1 and Nijmegen-1 Me were applied in the field as suicidal germination agents. Both SL analogues were formulated using an appropriate EC-approved emulsifier (polyoxyethylene sorbitol hexaoleate) and applied to tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) fields infested by Orobanche ramosa L. (hemp broomrape), following a strict protocol. Four out of 12 trials showed a reduction in broomrape of ≥95%, two trials were negative, two showed a moderate result, one was unclear and in three cases there was no Orobanche problem in the year of the trials. The trial plots were ca 2000 m2 ; half of that area was treated with stimulant emulsion, the other half was not treated. The optimal amount of stimulant was 6.25 g ha-1 . A preconditioning prior to the treatment was a prerequisite for a successful trial. In conclusion, the suicidal germination approach to reducing O. ramosa in tobacco fields using formulated SL analogues was successful. Two other options for weed control are discussed: deactivation of stimulants prior to action and biocontrol by Fusarium oxysporum. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Detection of herbicides in the urine of pet dogs following home lawn chemical application.

Exposure to herbicide-treated lawns has been associated with significantly higher bladder cancer risk in dogs. This work was performed to further characterize lawn chemical exposures in dogs, and to determine environmental factors associated with chemical residence time on grass. In addition to concern for canine health, a strong justification for the work was that dogs may serve as sentinels for potentially harmful environmental exposures in humans. Experimentally, herbicides [2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxypropionic acid (MCPP), dicamba] were applied to grass plots under different conditions (e.g., green, dry brown, wet, and recently mowed grass). Chemicals in dislodgeable residues were measured by LC-MS at 0.17, 1, 24, 48, 72 h post treatment. In a separate study, 2,4-D, MCPP, and dithiopyr concentrations were measured in the urine of dogs and in dislodgeable grass residues in households that applied or did not apply chemicals in the preceding 48 h. Chemicals were measured at 0, 24, and 48 h post application in treated households and at time 0 in untreated control households. Residence times of 2,4-D, MCPP, and dicamba were significantly prolonged (P<0.05) on dry brown grass compared to green grass. Chemicals were detected in the urine of dogs in 14 of 25 households before lawn treatment, in 19 of 25 households after lawn treatment, and in 4 of 8 untreated households. Chemicals were commonly detected in grass residues from treated lawns, and from untreated lawns suggesting chemical drift from nearby treated areas. Thus dogs could be exposed to chemicals through contact with their own lawn (treated or contaminated through drift) or through contact with other grassy areas if they travel. The length of time to restrict a dog's access to treated lawns following treatment remains to be defined. Further study is indicated to assess the risks of herbicide exposure in humans and dogs.

Engineering phosphorus metabolism in plants to produce a dual fertilization and weed control system.

High crop yields depend on the continuous input of orthophosphate (PO(4)(−3))-based fertilizers and herbicides. Two major challenges for agriculture are that phosphorus is a nonrenewable resource and that weeds have developed broad herbicide resistance. One strategy to overcome both problems is to engineer plants to outcompete weeds and microorganisms for limiting resources, thereby reducing the requirement for both fertilizers and herbicides. Plants and most microorganisms are unable to metabolize phosphite (PO(3)(−3)), so we developed a dual fertilization and weed control system by generating transgenic plants that can use phosphite as a sole phosphorus source. Under greenhouse conditions, these transgenic plants require 30­50% less phosphorus input when fertilized with phosphite to achieve similar productivity to that obtained by the same plants using orthophosphate fertilizer and, when in competition with weeds, accumulate 2­10 times greater biomass than when fertilized with orthophosphate.

Tortricid moths reared from the invasive weed Mexican palo verde, Parkinsonia aculeata, with comments on their host specificity, biology, geographic distribution, and systematics.

As part of efforts to identify native herbivores of Mexican palo verde, Parkinsonia aculeata L. (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae), as potential biological control agents against this invasive weed in Australia, ten species of Tortricidae (Lepidoptera) were reared from Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Venezuela: Amorbia concavana (Zeller), Platynota rostrana (Walker), Platynota helianthes (Meyrick), Platynota stultana Walsingham (all Tortricinae: Sparganothini), Rudenia leguminana (Busck), Cochylis sp. (both Tortricinae: Cochylini), Ofatulena duodecemstriata (Walsingham), O. luminosa Heinrich, Ofatulena sp. (all Olethreutinae: Grapholitini), and Crocidosema lantana Busck (Olethreutinae: Eucosmini). Significant geographic range extensions are provided for O. duodecemstriata and R. leguminana. These are the first documented records of P. aculeata as a host plant for all but O. luminosa. The four species of Sparganothini are polyphagous; in contrast, the two Cochylini and three Grapholitini likely are specialists on Leguminosae. Ofatulena luminosa is possibly host specific on P. aculeata. Host trials with Rudenia leguminana also provide some evidence of specificity, in contrast to historical rearing records. To examine the possibility that R. leguminana is a complex of species, two data sets of molecular markers were examined: (1) a combined data set of two mitochondrial markers (a 781-basepair region of cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and a 685-basepair region of cytochrome c oxidase II) and one nuclear marker (a 531-basepair region of the 28S domain 2); and (2) the 650-basepair "barcode" region of COI. Analyses of both data sets strongly suggest that individuals examined in this study belong to more than one species.