Post-emergence herbicidal activity of nanoatrazine against Alternanthera tenella Colla plants compared to other weed species.

The encapsulation of atrazine into poly(epsilon-caprolactone) nanocapsules has been shown to improve the efficiency of the herbicide and decrease its environmental impacts. In the current work, we evaluated the efficiency of nanoatrazine in the post-emergence control of Alternanthera tenella Colla plants and performed a meta-analysis to compare the results with studies already published with other weeds. The first experiment was carried out in the field, where we observed that nanoatrazine (at 200 g a. i. ha-1) induced higher inhibition of the maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (up to 39%) than conventional atrazine at the same concentration. However, nanoencapsulation did not improve the visually-determined weed control by atrazine. To better understand the response of A. tenella plants to nanoatrazine, a second experiment was carried out in a greenhouse with four-leaf stage plants treated with nano and conventional atrazine at 200, 500, 1000, and 2000 g a. i. ha-1. Nanoatrazine showed higher efficiency (up to 33%) than commercial atrazine in inhibiting photosystem II activity at all doses until 48 h after application. Again, weed control and plant dry mass did not differ between formulations. From the meta-analysis, it was observed that A. tenella plants showed a response to nanoatrazine that differs from other target species, as the gain in efficiency resulting from the nanoencapsulation was restricted to the short-term analysis, and did not result in better weed control. These results reinforce that the efficiency of nanoatrazine is dependent on the studied species.

Interaction of Nanoatrazine and Target Organism: Evaluation of Fate and Photosystem II Inhibition in Hydroponically Grown Mustard (Brassica juncea) Plants.

Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) nanoparticles are an efficient carrier system for atrazine. However, there is a gap regarding the effects of nanoencapsulation on herbicide-plant interactions. Here, we evaluate the fate and photosystem II inhibition of nano and commercial atrazine in hydroponically grown mustard (Brassica juncea) plants whose roots were exposed to the formulations. In addition, to quantify the endogenous levels of atrazine in plant organs, we measured the inhibition of photosystem II activity by both formulations. Moreover, the fluorescently labeled nanoatrazine was tracked in plant tissues using confocal microscopy. The nanoencapsulation induced greater inhibition of photosystem II activity as well as higher accumulation of atrazine in roots and leaves. The nanoparticles were quickly absorbed by the roots, being detected in the vascular tissues and the leaves. Overall, these results provide insights into the mechanisms involved in the enhanced preemergent herbicidal activity of nanoatrazine against target plants.

Growth inhibition of sourgrass as a function of period of darkness after diquat application

Photosystem-inhibiting herbicides, such as diquat, act by inducing oxidative stress. However, oxidative damage impairs translocation, resulting in regrowth of the plants. The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of diquat in controlling the growth of sourgrass exposed to different periods of darkness after application of the herbicide, as well as to evaluate the photosynthetic activity and the production of reactive oxygen species. Two experiments (field and greenhouse) were conducted by applying diquat (200 g a.i. ha-1) on sourgrass plants at the 3 to 4 tiller stage. The treated plants were subjected to different periods of darkness after diquat application (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 h), in addition to the control treatment without any application. Growth inhibition and mass evaluations of the sourgrass plants were performed in both experiments, whereas photosynthetic activity and H2O2 accumulation in the leaves were evaluated in the greenhouse experiment. The results showed an increase in the sourgrass growth inhibition with an increase in the period of darkness after application. There was a need for a minimum of 6 h of darkness after diquat application to fully inhibit growth (100%) of the sourgrass, whereas plants that remained in the sun since application exhibited less than 50% inhibition. The increase in the period of darkness after diquat application resulted in a reduction in photosynthetic activity and, consequently, lower accumulation of H2O2. Thus, the maintenance of sourgrass in the dark for at least 6 h enables total control of the growth of the plants, preventing regrowth.

Target-Site Mutations and Expression of ALS Gene Copies Vary According to Echinochloa Species.

The sustainability of rice cropping systems is jeopardized by the large number and variety of populations of polyploid Echinochloa spp. resistant to ALS inhibitors. Better knowledge of the Echinochloa species present in Italian rice fields and the study of ALS genes involved in target-site resistance could significantly contribute to a better understanding of resistance evolution and management. Using a CAPS-rbcL molecular marker, two species, E. crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv. and E. oryzicola (Vasinger) Vasing., were identified as the most common species in rice in Italy. Mutations involved in ALS inhibitor resistance in the different species were identified and associated with the ALS homoeologs. The relative expression of the ALS gene copies was evaluated. Molecular characterization led to the identification of three ALS genes in E. crus-galli and two in E. oryzicola. The two species also carried different point mutations conferring resistance: Ala122Asn in E. crus-galli and Trp574Leu in E. oryzicola. Mutations were carried in the same gene copy (ALS1), which was significantly more expressed than the other copies (ALS2 and ALS3) in both species. These results explain the high resistance level of these populations and why mutations in the other ALS copies are not involved in herbicide resistance.

Foliar absorption and field herbicidal studies of atrazine-loaded polymeric nanoparticles.

Nanoparticles loaded with atrazine show weed control efficacy even with lower application doses of the active ingredient. Changes in the mode of action of the herbicide through the nanoformulation are key to understanding the efficiency of post-emergence activity of nanoatrazine. Here, we report the leaf absorption and translocation of nanoatrazine and atrazine employing radiometric techniques and compare their herbicidal effects in greenhouse and field conditions. Compared to the commercial formulation, nanoatrazine showed greater and faster absorption rates in mustard leaves (40% increment in the absorbed herbicide 24 h after application), inducing higher inhibition of photosystem II activity. Assays with fusicoccin-treated leaves indicated that the stomatal uptake of nanoparticles might be involved in the improved activity of nanoatrazine. Nanoencapsulation potentiated the post-emergent herbicidal activity of atrazine and the gain provided by nanoencapsulation was higher in the field compared to greenhouse conditions. Regardless of the dose, nanoatrazine provided two-fold higher weed control in the field compared to commercial atrazine. Thus, the design of this carrier system enables improvements in the performance of the herbicide in the field with less risk of environmental losses of the active ingredients due to faster absorption.

Sourgrass control in response to the association of 2, 4-d to ACCase inhibitor herbicides / Controle de grama azeda em resposta à associação de 2, 4-d a herbicidas inibidores de ACCase

ACCase inhibitor herbicides are widely used to control poaceae such as sourgrass (Digitaria insularis). However, these herbicides are selective for eudicots, which requires the use of broadleaf herbicides in areas with broadleaf and narrow leaf weeds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the association ACCase inhibitors and 2,4-D for the control of sourgrass. Two experiments were carried out under greenhouse conditions. The first experiment evaluated the effect of associating 2,4-D and graminicides to control of sourgrass, using dose-response curves for the herbicides clethodim, quizalofop-P-tefuril and clethodim + quizalofop-P-tefuril. In the second experiment, due to the results of the first one, the necessary period between the application of 2,4-D and the graminicides was evaluated in order to avoid antagonism in sourgrass. The results show that the herbicide clethodim, at the recommended dose, has its efficiency reduced in about 8% when applied in association with 2,4-D. As for the herbicide quizalofop-P-tefuril, this effect was higher, causing a reduction of 39% in control. However, the association of 2,4-D to the mixture of clethodim + quizalofop-P-tefuril did not result in antagonism. It takes nine and 12 days between the application of 2,4-D and the graminicides clethodim and quizalofop-P-tefuril, respectively, for there to be no antagonism.

Os herbicidas inibidores da ACCase são amplamente utilizados no controle de poáceas, tal como o capim-amargoso. No entanto, esses herbicidas são seletivos para plantas eudicotiledôneas, o que demanda a utilização de herbicidas latifolicidas, tais como as auxinas sintéticas, em áreas que existam plantas daninhas de folhas largas e folhas estreitas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da associação de inibidores da ACCase e 2,4-D sobre o controle de capim-amargoso. Foram realizados dois experimentos em casa de vegetação. No primeiro experimento foi avaliado o efeito da associação de 2,4-D aos graminicidas no controle de capim-amargoso, utilizando-se curvas de dose-resposta para os herbicidas clethodim, quizalofop-P-tefuril e clethodim + quizalofop-P-tefuril. No segundo experimento, em decorrência dos resultados do primeiro, foi avaliado o período necessário entre a aplicação de 2,4-D e os graminicidas para que não ocorra antagonismo em capim-amargoso. Os resultados demonstram que para o herbicida clethodim, na dose recomendada, a redução de controle foi de cerca de 8% quando o 2,4-D foi aplicado em associação. Já para o herbicida quizalofop-P-tefuril, esse efeito foi superior, causando redução de 39% no controle. Porém, a associação do 2,4-D à mistura de clethodim + quizalofop-P-tefuril não resultou em antagonismo. São necessários nove e 12 dias entre a aplicação de 2,4-D e os graminicidas clethodim e quizalofop-P-tefuril, respectivamente, para que não ocorra antagonismo.

Atrazine nanoencapsulation improves pre-emergence herbicidal activity against Bidens pilosa without enhancing long-term residual effect on Glycine max.

BACKGROUND: Poly(ϵ-caprolactone) nanocapsules (NC + ATZ) are an efficient carrier system for atrazine and were developed as an alternative to reduce the harmful environmental effects of this herbicide. Here, we analyzed the pre-emergence herbicidal activity of NC + ATZ against Bidens pilosa and evaluated its residual effect on soybean plants after different periods of soil treatment with the formulations. RESULTS: In contrast to non-nanoatrazine, NC + ATZ treatment led to very high mortality rates of B. pilosa seedlings even after a tenfold dilution, which suggests that atrazine nanoencapsulation improved its pre-emergence herbicidal activity. In a short-term assay (17 days), soil treatment with all atrazine-containing formulations resulted in intense toxicity to soybean plants. NC + ATZ at 200 g ha-1 had the same inhibitory effects on the physiological and growth parameters of soybean plants compared with non-nanoatrazine at 2000 g ha-1 , which suggests that atrazine nanoencapsulation increased the short-term residual effect of the herbicide. In a long-term assay (60 days), a gradual recovery of soybean plants from atrazine phytotoxicity was observed. When comparing the effects of nano- and non-nanoatrazine at the same concentrations, the growth and physiological parameters of soybean plants were mainly affected to the same extent. This indicates that encapsulation of atrazine into poly(ϵ-caprolactone) nanocapsules did not enhance the long-term residual effect of the herbicide on soybean. CONCLUSION: NC + ATZ could be applied for efficient weed control without additional phytotoxicity to susceptible crops compared with non-nanoatrazine, provided that a safe interval is respected from atrazine application to sowing. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Genetic use restriction technologies and possible applications in the integrated pest management / Tecnologias genéticas de restrição de uso e possíveis aplicações no manejo integrado de pragas

ABSTRACT: Genetic use restriction technologies (GURTs) were developed to preserve the intellectual property of genetically modified crops (GM) and ensure the return of investments made by industry to obtain technology delivered through seeds. The aims of this review are to discuss the GURTs and analyze their possible applications in integrated management of agricultural pests. There are two classes of GURTs: T-GURTs (trait-based GURTs), wherein the generated seed are viable, but the next generation does not express the trait of agronomic interest, and V-GURT (variety-based GURTs), in which plants produce non viable seeds. However, beyond the seed protection purpose, the GURTs could have also other application to solve agronomic problems. One of the most important is the use of GURTs as a tool to restrict gene flow of GM traits to relative weeds. In addition, it is proposed the use of this technology in integrated weed management by preventing the GMs seed germination, which produces volunteer plants that compete with the crop of interest. Also, these volunteer plants may serve as alternative hosts for insects and pathogens in between crop seasons. The GURTs could contribute to the control of undesirable agents in agricultural systems, reducing the use of pesticides and increasing crop yields.

RESUMO: As tecnologias genéticas de restrição de uso (GURTs) foram idealizadas a fim de preservar a propriedade intelectual de culturas geneticamente modificadas (GMs) e garantir o retorno dos investimentos feitos pelas empresas para a obtenção de tecnologias transmitidas via sementes. Os objetivos dessa revisão são discutir as GURTs e analisar suas possíveis aplicações no manejo integrado de pragas agrícolas. Existem duas classes de GURTs: a T-GURT (trait-based GURT), na qual as sementes produzidas são viáveis, porém as plantas da geração seguinte não expressam o caractere de interesse agronômico, e a V-GURT (variety-based GURT), na qual as plantas produzem sementes inviáveis. Contudo, além do propósito da proteção das sementes, o uso de GURTs poderia também ter outras aplicações na resolução de problemas agronômicos. Um dos mais importantes é o uso das GURTs como ferramenta para impedir o fluxo de genes de culturas transgênicas para plantas daninhas coespecificas. Além disso, propõe-se o uso dessa tecnologia no manejo integrado de plantas daninhas, por meio da prevenção da germinação de sementes GMs, que geram plantas voluntárias que competem com a cultura de interesse. Além disso, essas plantas voluntárias podem servir como hospedeiros alternativos para insetos e patógenos nos períodos de entressafra. Dessa forma, as GURTs poderiam contribuir no controle de agentes indesejáveis em sistemas agrícolas, reduzindo a utilização de agrotóxicos e aumentando a produtividade dos cultivos.

Volume de calda e inseticidas no controle de Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood) na cultura da soja / Diferent spray volumes and insecticides in the control of Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood) in soybean crop

Em pulverizações com bicos hidráulicos, o volume de calda é um dos aspectos mais importantes para o sucesso do controle químico de pragas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do volume de calda e inseticidas no controle de Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood), na cultura da soja. Testaram-se os volumes de calda de 50, 100 e 150l ha-1 e os inseticidas endossulfam (437,5g i.a. ha-1) e tiametoxam + lambda-cialotrina (21,15 + 15,90g i.a. ha-1). Tiametoxam + lambda-cialotrina apresentou maior efeito residual e controle de P. guildinii em relação à endossulfam. Esses inseticidas respondem da mesma forma, aumentando a eficiência de controle da praga com o aumento do volume de calda.

The spray volume is one of the most important aspects interfering on the success of pest control. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of spray volume on the efficiency of the insecticides in the control of Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood) in soybean crop. Were evaluated the volumes of 50, 100 and 150l ha-1 and the insecticides endosulfan (437.5g a.i. ha-1) and tiametoxan + lambda-cyhalothrin (21.15 + 15.90g a.i. ha-1). Tiametoxan + lambda-cyhalothrin had better residual and control of P. guildinii than endosulfan. Both insecticides showed the same behavior, increasing P. guildinii control with spray volume increasing.