What is the most effective analytical method for quantification and identification of microplastics in contaminated soils?

The increasing concern over microplastics (MPs) contamination in agricultural soils due to excessive plastic use is a worldwide concern. The objective of this study was to determine which analytical technique is most effective for the analysis of MPs in agricultural soils. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), multispectral analysis, and X-ray diffraction were used to analyze sections of clay soil containing varying percentages of virgin white MPs from 0 to 100%. X-ray analysis only detected MPs at high concentrations (20%). However, NIR at 2.300 nm and multispectral analysis at 395 nm demonstrated greater accuracy and sensitivity in distinguishing between all MPs levels. SEM revealed that MPs have an amorphous structure that is distinct from crystalline soil, potentially influencing their interactions with other soil constituents. These findings highlight the value of NIR and multispectral analysis in accurately identifying and measuring MPs in soil. Efficient management plans rely on increased awareness of MPs' environmental impact.

Pre-emergence herbicides mixture in soybeans: Amaranthus hybridus control and crop selectivity on cover crops soil.

The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of pre-emergence herbicides mixture applied to the soil with and without dead cover crops (Sorghum bicolor) for the control of Amaranthus hybridus L. (smooth pigweed) and its selectivity in soybeans. This study was structured in split plot (2 × 6 + 2), where factor A plots (with and without dead cover) and factor B six herbicides mixture: flumioxazin + S-metolachlor (50.4 + 1,008 g a.i. ha-1), flumioxazin + imazethapyr (60 + 127.2 g a.i. ha-1), pyroxasulfone + sulfentrazone (137.6 + 160 g a.i. ha-1), diuron + sulfentrazone (400 + 200 g a.i. ha-1), metribuzin + S-metolachlor (326.4 + 1,344 g a.i. ha-1) and sulfentrazone + imazethapyr (200 + 100 g a.i. ha-1) and two untreated control plots. As for the results, the herbicides flumioxazin + S-metolachlor, flumioxazin + imazethapyr and pyroxasulfone + sulfentrazone showed excellent control (97-99%) and were not influenced by the plot with and without dead cover. They also showed higher yield soybeans (<2,244 kg ha-1). All herbicides were selective to the soybeans. Overall, pre-emergence herbicides and cover crops were efficient methods for the control of A. hybridus, which farmers should use to avoid losses in yield soybeans due to weed competition.

Biochar obtained from eucalyptus, rice hull, and native bamboo as an alternative to decrease mobility of hexazinone, metribuzin, and quinclorac in a tropical soil.

Mobile herbicides have a high potential for groundwater contamination. An alternative to decrease the mobility of herbicides is to apply materials with high sorbent capacity to the soil, such as biochars. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of eucalyptus, rice hull, and native bamboo biochar amendments on sorption and desorption of hexazinone, metribuzin, and quinclorac in a tropical soil. The sorption-desorption was evaluated using the batch equilibrium method at five concentrations of hexazinone, metribuzin, and quinclorac. Soil was amended with eucalyptus, rice hull, and native bamboo biochar at a rate of 0 (control-unamended) and 1% (w w-1), corresponding to 0 and 12 t ha-1, respectively. The amount of sorbed herbicides in the unamended soil followed the decreasing order: quinclorac (65.9%) > metribuzin (21.4%) > hexazinone (16.0%). Native bamboo biochar provided the highest sorption compared to rice hull and eucalyptus biochar-amended soils for the three herbicides. The amount of desorbed herbicides in the unamended soil followed the decreasing order: metribuzin (18.35%) > hexazinone (15.9%) > quinclorac (15.1%). Addition of native bamboo biochar provided the lowest desorption among the biochar amendments for the three herbicides. In conclusion, the biochars differently affect the sorption and desorption of hexazinone, metribuzin, and quinclorac mobile herbicides in a tropical soil. The addition of eucalyptus, rice hull, and native bamboo biochars is a good alternative to increase the sorption of hexazinone, metribuzin, and quinclorac, thus, reducing mobility and availability of these herbicides to nontarget organisms in soil.

Pyrolysis Temperature vs. Application Rate of Biochar Amendments: Impacts on Soil Microbiota and Metribuzin Degradation.

Biochar-amended soils influence the degradation of herbicides depending on the pyrolysis temperature, application rate, and feedstock used. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of sugarcane straw biochar (BC) produced at different pyrolysis temperatures (350 °C, 550 °C, and 750 °C) and application rates in soil (0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 5, and 10% w/w) on metribuzin degradation and soil microbiota. Detection analysis of metribuzin in the soil to find time for 50% and 90% metribuzin degradation (DT50 and DT90) was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Soil microbiota was analyzed by respiration rate (C-CO2), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and metabolic quotient (qCO2). BC350 °C-amended soil at 10% increased the DT50 of metribuzin from 7.35 days to 17.32 days compared to the unamended soil. Lower application rates (0.1% to 1.5%) of BC550 °C and BC750 °C decreased the DT50 of metribuzin to ~4.05 and ~5.41 days, respectively. BC350 °C-amended soil at high application rates (5% and 10%) provided high C-CO2, low MBC fixation, and high qCO2. The addition of low application rates (0.1% to 1.5%) of sugarcane straw biochar produced at high temperatures (BC550 °C and BC750 °C) resulted in increased metribuzin degradation and may influence the residual effect of the herbicide and weed control efficiency.

Can herbicides of different mode of action cause injury symptoms in non-herbicide-tolerant young soybean due to simulated drift?

Accidental herbicide drift onto neighboring crops, such as soybeans, can seriously harm non-target plants, affecting their growth and productivity. This study examined the impact of simulated drift from ten different herbicides (2,4-D, dicamba, glyphosate, saflufenacil, oxyfluorfen, hexazinone, diuron, diquat, nicosulfuron, and isoxaflutole) on young soybean plants. These herbicides were applied at three simulated drift levels (1/4, 1/16, and 1/32) equivalent to recommended commercial doses, and the resulting symptoms were carefully evaluated. Simulated drift caused distinctive symptoms, including chlorosis, twisting, necrosis, and growth abnormalities, varying depending on each herbicide's mode of action. Dicamba proved more toxic than 2,4-D, and symptom severity increased with drift proportion, with all herbicides causing over 30% injury at the 1/16 proportion. Notably, 2,4-D, dicamba, glyphosate, hexazinone, and diquat exceeded the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value, significantly reducing total biomass. Dicamba consistently caused 50% injury at all proportions, while hexazinone, at the highest dose proportion, led to plant mortality. Dicamba also had biomass accumulation beyond the growth reduction (GR50), whereas hexazinone exhibited less than 10% accumulation due to its capacity to induce plant mortality. This study emphasizes the importance of understanding herbicide drift effects on non-target crops for more effective and safe weed management strategies.

Sorption-desorption and biodegradation of sulfometuron-methyl and its effects on the bacterial communities in Amazonian soils amended with aged biochar.

Sulfometuron-methyl is a broad-spectrum herbicide, used throughout Brazil; however, its environmental impacts in biochar (BC) amended soils is not fully understood. Biochar is known to enhance soil quality but can also have undesired effects such as altering the bioavailability and behavior of herbicides. Microbial communities can degrade herbicides such as sulfometuron-methyl in soils; however, they are known to be affected by BC. Therefore, it is important to understand the tripartite interaction between these factors. This research aimed to evaluate the sorption-desorption and biodegradation of sulfometuron-methyl in Amazonian soils amended with BC, and to assess the effects of the interactions between BC and sulfometuron-methyl on soil bacterial communities. Soil samples were collected from field plots amended with BC at three doses (0, 40 and 80 t ha-1) applied ten years ago. The herbicide sorption and desorption were evaluated using a batch equilibrium method. Mineralization and biodegradation studies were conducted in microcosms incubated with 14C-sulfometuron-methyl for 80 days. Systematic soil sampling, followed by DNA extraction, quantification (qPCR) and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing were performed. The presence of BC increased the sorption of the herbicide to the soil by 11% (BC40) and 16% (BC80) compared to unamended soil. The presence of BC also affected the degradation of 14C-sulfometuron-methyl, reducing the mineralization rate and increasing the degradation half-life times (DT50) from 36.67 days in unamended soil to 52.11 and 55.45 days in BC40 and BC80 soils, respectively. The herbicide application altered the bacterial communities, affecting abundance and richness, and changing the taxonomic diversity (i.e., some taxa were promoted and other inhibited). A tripartite interaction was found between BC, the herbicide and soil bacterial communities, suggesting that it is important to consider the environmental impact of soil applied herbicides in biochar amended soils.

Phytoremediation of quinclorac and tebuthiuron-polluted soil by green manure plants.

Quinclorac and tebuthiuron are residual herbicides that may remain in the soil longer than for the cropping season. The objective of this research was to evaluate the use of green manure plants to remediate soils treated with quinclorac and tebuthiuron. Soils were separately treated with 14C-quinclorac and 14C-tebuthiuron at 266.4 and 132 g ha-1, respectively. After 21 days, four green manure plants, namely Crotalaria spectabilis, Canavalia ensiformis, Stizolobium aterrimum, and Lupinus albus, were separately sown in the treated soils. Overall, all four species absorbed more 14C-tebuthiuron [C. ensiformes (22.49%), S. aterrimum (16.71%), L. albus (15%), and C. spectabilis (4.48%)] than 14C-quinclorac [C. ensiformis (13.44%), L. albus (10.02%), S. aterrimum (6.2%), and C. spectabilis (1.75%)]. Quinclorac translocation in all four plants was greater in young leaves compared to old leaves, cotyledons, or roots, and 14C-tebuthiuron translocation in all four plant species was greater in old leaves and cotyledons compared to young leaves or roots. Regardless of the differences in translocation between the two herbicides, the four green manure plants are capable to remediate soils that have been treated with quinclorac and tebuthiuron. However, C. ensiformis is more efficient for the remediation of tebuthiuron-treated soil compared to the other plants.

Effect of Fertiactyl® on the absorption and translocation of 14C-glyphosate in young eucalyptus plants.

Fertiactyl® is a foliar fertilizer with the potential to minimize the phytotoxicity effects caused by glyphosate drift in eucalyptus plants. As the interactions of the glyphosate and Fertiactyl® in tank mix on the plant behavior are not yet known, the objective was to evaluate the absorption and translocation of 14C-glyphosate, applied isolated and mixed in tank with Fertiactyl®, in young eucalyptus plants (clone I-144, Eucalyptus urophylla x E. grandis). The addition of Fertiactyl® to the mixture of 14C-glyphosate reduced the absorption by 94.3% in relation to the total absorbed at the end of the evaluation compared to plants treated only with 14C-glyphosate, i.e., Fertiactyl® protected the eucalyptus plants of the glyphosate intoxication by drift. The translocation rates from the treated leaves to the rest of the shoots and roots were low (<2% of the total recovered) in both treatments, suggest that restricted translocation is a mechanism of natural tolerance to glyphosate in plants of clone I-144. It is concluded that Fertiactyl®, mixed in the solution with glyphosate, protects young eucalyptus plants against glyphosate drift by reducing the amount of herbicide absorbed.

Fertiactyl® in mixture with glyphosate decreases herbicide absorption and translocation in coffee seedlings.

The application of glyphosate to coffee crops can cause injuries to plants. Fertiactyl® foliar fertilizer reduces injuries when mixed with glyphosate; however, it is important to establish which mechanisms are responsible for this protective action. This study aimed to evaluate the absorption and translocation of glyphosate applied separately and in mixture with Fertiactyl® in coffee seedlings. Absorption and translocation were performed with 14C-glyphosate applied separately and in mixture with Fertiactyl® at 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, 96, and 144 hours after application (HAA). Most of the 14C-glyphosate applied to coffee seedlings was not absorbed. The 14C-glyphosate applied separately had a higher absorption by coffee seedlings (6.5%) than in a mixture with Fertiactyl® (2.7%) at 144 HAA. The maximum translocation of the 14C-glyphosate applied separately was 0.69% at 81.2 HAA and in mixture with Fertiactyl® was 0.41% at 41.2 HAA. The treated leaves retained a higher percentage of 14C-glyphosate when applied separately (5.6% at 144 HAA) than in a mixture with Fertiactyl® (2.2% at 144 HAA). Low translocation (<1%) for the rest of the plant shoots was observed both for the 14C-glyphosate applied separately and in combination with Fertiactyl®. Therefore, Fertiactyl® decreased the absorption and translocation of 14C-glyphosate in coffee seedlings.

Potential of Egeria densa and Pistia stratiotes for the phytoremediation of water contaminated with saflufenacil.

Saflufenacil is an herbicide that is leachable in soil and has the potential to contaminate groundwater, besides having moderate toxicity to aquatic organisms. Some macrophyte species may interfere with the availability of herbicides in water, increasing dissipation in this environment. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the absorption and dissipation of 14C-saflufenacil in water by Egeria densa and Pistia stratiotes. Dissipation was performed with 14C-saflufenacil applied directly in water and quantified by liquid scintillation spectrometry (LSS). The evaluation times were 0, 3, 6, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after application (HAA) for E. densa and 0, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 84 and 108 HAA for P. stratiotes. Absorption was analyzed through plant combustion in a biological oxidizer. The presence of the macrophytes increased the dissipation of 14C-saflufenacil in water. The half-life time (DT50) of the herbicide decreased by 82.6% in the presence of E. densa at 96 HAA. For P. stratiotes, the reduction in DT50 was 94.8% at 108 HAA. The absorption of 14C-saflufenacil was low for both macrophytes during the evaluated time. However, the macrophytes E. densa and P. stratiotes showed potential for the phytoremediation of water contaminated with saflufenacil.

Indaziflam sorption-desorption and its three metabolites from biochars- and their raw feedstock-amended agricultural soils using radiometric technique.

This study aimed to characterize the effect of amending soils with biochars derived from soybean residues, sugarcane bagasse, and wood chips on the sorption-desorption of indaziflam and indaziflam-triazinediamine (FDAT), indaziflam-triazine-indanone (ITI), and indaziflam-carboxylic acid (ICA) metabolites applied to soils from three Midwestern U.S. states, a silt loam and a silty clay loam. Biochars produced from different feedstock were used as soil amendments and compared with raw feedstock. Sorption-desorption experiments of indaziflam and its three metabolites were performed using the batch equilibration method and analyzed for 14C activity by liquid scintillation counting (radiometric technique). In all soils, the use of organic amendments promoted greater sorption and less desorption of indaziflam and ITI. The addition of biochar to soils promoted greater sorption of the four tested chemical products compared with the corresponding raw materials. Among the biochars, grape wood chips showed greater potential in sorb indaziflam and ITI. In general, none of the biochars affected the sorption and desorption of FDAT and ICA. Characterization of biochar to be used as a soil amendment (immobilizer) is highly recommended prior to field addition to optimize the sorption process and to prevent increased soil and water contamination of indaziflam and its metabolites following biochar addition.

Cow bonechar decreases indaziflam pre-emergence herbicidal activity in tropical soil.

The addition of carbonaceous material such as cow bonechar to the soil can affect the availability of applied pre-emergent herbicides such as indaziflam. However, how cow bonechar affects the bioavailability of indaziflam is not yet known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cow bonechar on herbicidal activity of indaziflam on weeds in a tropical soil. Cow bonechar was added homogeneously to top soil, at 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 t ha-1, in addition to treatment with unamended soil. At 21 days after indaziflam (75 g ha-1) application, injury weed levels, weed species that emerged spontaneously were identified and the weeds present in each sampling unit were collected. Only 1.4 t ha-1 cow bonechar added to soil was enough to reduce the weed injury level by 50%. From the addition of 2 t ha-1 cow bonechar the application of indaziflam was not efficient to weed control, being equivalent to treatments without herbicide application. Eight weed species (3 monocots and 5 dicots) were identified in all treatments. Eleusine indica and Digitaria horizontalis accounted for about 99.7% of the entire infestation of the weed community. Cow bonechar decreases indaziflam pre-emergence herbicidal activity in tropical soil for weed control, most likely due to the high sorption and unavailability of the product in the soil solution.

Using 14C-glyphosate to investigate the distribution of two formulations in transgenic glyphosate-resistant soybean.

Glyphosate residues in grain can be explained by the concentrations and formulations of glyphosate products. This study aimed to evaluate the residues from glyphosate formulations labeled with 14C-glyphosate applied to leaves of glyphosate-resistant soybean (GRS) in two life cycles by liquid scintillation spectrometry. Different plant tissues were analyzed after the end of the plants' life cycles. The experimental design was four repetitions of three treatments: Roundup® Original, Roundup Ready®, and unformulated glyphosate (control). The application of the dosing solution was 120 µL on the first four trifoliate leaves (10 µL per leaflet) of each plant, deposited manually with a 1-µL dispenser. All treatment solutions were calculated at a 1.2 kg a.e ha-1 of glyphosate. Glyphosate formulations of Roundup® Original and Roundup Ready® increased 14C-glyphosate distribution in GRS compared to the unformulated herbicide, regardless of the experiment (first or second cycle). Overall, the percentages of total radioactivity applied (18.33 kBq) found in grains were less than 5%. Grains, stems, and leaves showed the highest levels of herbicide residues compared to other parts of the plant. Despite the Roundup Ready® formulation having increased residues, the highest value found in grains, 1.95 mg kg-1, was less than 10 mg kg-1, the maximum residue limit (MRL) in Brazil.

Diuron, hexazinone, and sulfometuron-methyl applied alone and in mixture in soils: Distribution of extractable residue, bound residue, biodegradation, and mineralization.

Biodegradation studies of herbicides applied to the soil alone and in a mixture are required since herbicides are often used in combinations to control weeds. When herbicides are applied in mixtures, interactions may affect their environmental fate. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the distribution of extractable residue, bound residue, biodegradation, and mineralization of diuron, hexazinone, and sulfometuron-methyl when applied alone and in a mixture in two agricultural soils. Biometric flasks filled with two types of soil (clay and sandy) collected from an area cultivated with sugarcane and treated with 14C-radiolabeled solutions of the herbicides were incubated for 70 d. More 14C-CO2 was released when sulfometuron-methyl and hexazinone were applied in a mixture compared to when applied alone. Being used in a combination did not affect the mineralization of diuron. The soil texture directly influenced the mineralization, bound residue, and extractable residue of the three herbicides. The percentage of extractable residue decreased over time for all herbicides. Hexazinone and sulfometuron-methyl had the highest residue extracted on sandy soil when applied alone. Diuron showed the highest percentage of bound residue. The degradation of the three herbicides was higher in the clay soil regardless of the mode of application, which is related to the higher potential of the bacterial community in the clay soil to mineralize the herbicides.

Spatial distribution of sorption and desorption process of 14C-radiolabelled hexazinone and tebuthiuron in tropical soil.

The understanding of the interaction between soil physicochemical attributes and herbicide behavior is fundamental for optimizing the efficient use of PRE-emergence herbicides in a more sustainable approach. However, it is still a poorly studied area within precision agriculture. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate the correlation of soil physicochemical attributes with the sorption and desorption processes of hexazinone and tebuthiuron to support application maps considering the field level variability. Soil samples from an agricultural area had their physicochemical attributes analyzed and were submitted to sorption and desorption studies of 14C-tebuthiuron and 14C-hexazinone using the batch equilibrium method. The values of sorption and desorption apparent coefficients (Kd), sorption and desorption percentage and bioavailability were correlated with soil attributes by Pearson's correlation. The Kd values of tebuthiuron and hexazinone sorption ranged from 1.2 to 2.9 mL g-1 and 0.4-0.6 mL g-1, respectively. For desorption of tebuthiuron and hexazinone, Kd values ranged from 3.4 to 4.4 mL g-1 and 2.6-3.0 mL g-1, respectively. A positive correlation among clay content, soil organic matter (OM), and tebuthiuron and hexazinone sorption Kd values were found. Both herbicides had variable retention according to geographic position in the area. The recommendation of application of PRE herbicides, such as tebuthiuron and hexazinone, observing the physicochemical attributes of the soil is an alternative to increase efficiency in weed control and decrease the risk of environmental contamination.

Phytoextraction of diuron, hexazinone, and sulfometuron-methyl from the soil by green manure species.

The herbicides diuron, hexazinone, and sulfometuron-methyl present a potential risk of environmental contamination and are widely used for weed control in sugarcane cultivation. Our objectives were to measure the tolerance of Canavalia ensiformes (L.) DC., Stilizobium aterrimum L., Raphanus sativus L., Crotalaria spectabilis Röth, Lupinus albus L., and Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. To the herbicides diuron, hexazinone, and sulfometuron-methyl to assess the capacity of these species to extract and accumulate the herbicides in their tissues. Before sowing the green manure species, the soils were individually contaminated with the three 14C-radiolabeled herbicides. 14C-diuron and 14C-sulfometuron-methyl showed higher values remaining in the soil (>90%) for all species of green manure compared to hexazinone (<80%). The green manure species analyzed showed greater potential to remedy soils contaminated with hexazinone than the other herbicides. C. ensiformes showed high phytoextraction of hexazinone when compared to the other species, removing 11.2% of the pollutant from the soil, followed by L. albus (8.6%), S. aterrimum (7.3%), R. sativus (4.8%), C. spectabilis (2.5%), and P. glaucum (1.1%). The results indicate that the phytoextraction of diuron, hexazinone and sulfometuron-methyl is dependent on the species of green manure and can be an important tool for the decontamination of areas polluted by these herbicides.

The Dissipative Potential of Gamma Irradiation in Residues of Imidacloprid and Thiamethoxam in the Postharvest of Common Beans.

Gamma irradiation (60 Co) in postharvest of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), has already proven beneficial, regarding the prolongation of shelf life and physical, chemical, and organoleptic aspects of grains. However, few prior studies have investigated the effect of gamma irradiation on the dissipation of pesticides in foods, especially insecticides in beans. This study aimed to evaluate the waste dissipation of two insecticides, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, used in the cultivation of common bean, a variety of Carioca, using gamma irradiation. Ground bean samples were spiked each insecticide in the laboratory at 3, 4, and 5 mg/kg, and were then irradiated at 0, 1, and 2 kGy per irradiator with a 60 Co source. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to quantify the insecticides. The irradiation promoted dissipation of thiamethoxam at 1 and 2 kGy doses, with the highest dissipation verified at 2 kGy. In general, at this higher dose of irradiation the reduction dissipation of thiamethoxam was 66% of the mean value found in the treatment without irradiation and ∼44% relative to the 1 kGy dose. Conversely, imidacloprid showed no effect of irradiation on waste dissipation, except in the treatment of 5 mg/kg at 2 kGy dose. From the results, it was concluded that the gamma irradiation might have applicability in dissipating thiamethoxam in real bean samples. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Pesticide residues remaining from bean cultivation, sensitive to optimal doses of gamma irradiation, can be transformed into other less harmful or nonharmful substances, increasing the quality of the beans before the food arrives at the consumer's table. Irradiation of the grains after harvest also eliminates the need for application of other pesticides to preserve the grains during storage, as the technique is capable of eradicating deteriorating agents, such as microorganisms and insects.

Role of soil physicochemical properties in quantifying the fate of diuron, hexazinone, and metribuzin.

The physicochemical properties of soil are fundamental to quantification of the fate of herbicides. Thus, the aim of this research was to evaluate the fate of diuron, hexazinone, and metribuzin in five soils (Clay-1, Clay-2, Loam-1, Loam-2, and Sand), presenting variation in clay content, cation exchange capacity (CEC), pH, and organic carbon (OC). Herbicides radiolabeled with 14C were applied, and the 14C-CO2 released from mineralization was trapped in 0.2 mol L-1 sodium hydroxide solution. The degradation ratio, as well as herbicide-bound residues (non-extractable), transformation products, and residues extractable from soil, was also evaluated. Average 14C-CO2 evolution accumulated for diuron mineralization was higher (22.24%) than hexazinone (7.73%) and metribuzin (3.20%). The degradation time half-life (DT50) values for hexazinone correlated with soil OC content. Although no correlation between soil properties and DT50 values was found for metribuzin, the degradation rate and total degree of mineralization were low in sand soil for metribuzin. Regarding diuron, OC content and CEC value appear to be related to mineralization and degradation rate, respectively. Differences in soil properties can influence the persistence and fate of herbicides, affecting their impact on the environment, weed control, and possible effects on subsequent crops.

Quantification of the fate of mesotrione applied alone or in a herbicide mixture in two Brazilian arable soils.

The effects of mesotrione, S-metolachlor, and terbuthylazine, applied in mixture, on soil biodegradation remain insufficiently researched. However, herbicide mixtures have been a common practice in agricultural systems in the last years. Understanding the fate of soil-applied herbicides may help on planning weed management tactics towards more sustainable and efficient weed control. Therefore, this study evaluated the fate of mesotrione alone and in mixture with S-metolachlor and terbuthylazine when applied to two contrasting arable Brazilian soils. Mineralization and degradation experiments were conducted using 14C-mesotrione alone or in mixture. From the 49-day laboratory incubation data, increased mineralization half-life of mesotrione was observed for the mixture of herbicides, ranging from a 4-day increase for the sandy loam soil to a 1-day increase in the sandy clay texture soils. Mesotrione degradation rate had a twofold increase in the sandy loam compared to the sandy clay soil. Two metabolites can be identified from mesotrione degradation, 4-methyl-sulfonyl-2-nitrobenzoic acid (MNBA) and 2-amino-4-methylsulfonyl benzoic acid (AMBA). Indices for the score of ubiquity in groundwater indicated mesotrione possesses leaching potential for both soils. Applying mesotrione alone or in mixture did not influence the amount of bound residues from mesotrione. However, mesotrione degradation rate was influenced by soil texture regardless if applied alone or in mixture. Mesotrione biotransformation was relatively quick, indicating that this herbicide has low persistence and, consequently, low residual effect on crops and weeds when present in similar soils to this present study.

Seletividade de herbicidas para pinhão manso em condições de casa de vegetação e campo / Selectivity of herbicides for pinhão manso in conditions terms of greenhouse and field

Objetivou-se avaliar a seletividade de herbicidas para plantas de pinhão manso. O trabalho foi dividido em dois experimentos realizados em casa de vegetação e campo. Nos dois experimentos foram avaliados os mesmos tratamentos químicos, dispostos em delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados, com cinco repetições. Estudaram-se dezoito herbicidas: bentazon (0,72 kg i.a. ha-1), atrazine (4,00 kg i.a. ha-1), nicosulfuron (0,06 kg i.a. ha-1), oxyfluorfen (1,44 kg i.a. ha-1), isoxaflutole (0,15 kg i.a. ha-1), sethoxydim (0,37 kg i.a. ha-1), glyphosate + imazethapyr (0,53 + 0,09 kg i.a. ha-1), imazethapyr (0,10 kg i.a. ha-1), mesotrione (0,19 kg i.a. ha-1), acifluorfen + bentazon (0,25 + 0,60 kg i.a. ha-1), glyphosate (1,80 kg i.a. ha-1), imazamox (0,04 kg i.a. ha-1), diuron (3,20 kg i.a. ha-1), ametryn (3,00 kg i.a. ha- 1), amicarbazone (1,40 kg i.a. ha-1), profoxydim (0,17 kg i.a. ha-1), bentazon + imazamox (0,60 + 0,03 kg i.a. ha-1) e flumioxazin (0,03 kg i.a. ha-1), além das testemunhas (arranquio manual das plantas daninhas e sem manejo). Para a aplicação dos tratamentos em casa de vegetação, as plantas apresentavam de 4 a 6 folhas desenvolvidas, enquanto no experimento a campo apresentavam de 10 a 12 folhas desenvolvidas. Foram avaliados as notas de fitointoxicação, a altura da planta e o diâmetro do caule aos 7, 14, 21, 28 e 35 dias após a aplicação (DAA) dos herbicidas, em casa de vegetação e campo. Com base nos resultados obtidos concluiu-se que, independentemente do experimento, os tratamentos com glyphosate e diuron e ametryn causaram danos tóxicos severos às plantas de pinhão manso até aos 35 DAA. Por outro lado, evidenciou-se a seletividade dos herbicidas profoxydim, imazamox, mesotrione, acifluorfen + bentazon, sethoxydium, oxyfluorfen, sethoxydim e nicosulfuron, com potencial para utilização na cultura do pinhão manso.

Objective to evaluate the selectivity of herbicides to pinhão manso plant. The work was divided into two experiments realized in the greenhouse and field. In two experiments we evaluated the same chemical treatments, arranged in a randomized block design, with five repetitions. Eighteen herbicides were studied: bentazon (0,72 kg i.a. ha- 1), atrazine (4,00 kg i.a. ha-1), nicosulfuron (0,06 kg i.a. ha-1), oxyfluorfen (1,44 kg i.a. ha-1), isoxaflutole (0,15 kg i.a. ha-1), sethoxydim (0,37 kg i.a. ha-1), glyphosate + imazethapyr (0,53 + 0,09 kg i.a. ha-1), imazethapyr (0,10 kg i.a. ha-1), mesotrione (0,19 kg i.a. ha-1), acifluorfen + bentazon (0,25 + 0,60 kg i.a. ha-1), glyphosate (1,80 kg i.a. ha-1), imazamox (0,04 kg i.a. ha-1), diuron (3,20 kg i.a. ha-1), ametryn (3,00 kg i.a. ha-1), amicarbazone (1,40 kg i.a. ha-1), profoxydim (0,17 kg i.a. ha-1), bentazon + imazamox (0,60 + 0,03 kg i.a. ha-1) and flumioxazin (0,03 kg i.a. ha-1), beyond the controls (manual uprooting of weeds and without management). For the application of treatments in the greenhouse, the plants presented of 4 to 6 developed leaves, while in the field experiment presented 10 to 12 developed leaves. We evaluated the notes phytointoxication, plant height and stalk diameter at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days after application (DAA) of herbicides in greenhouse and field. Based on the results obtained it was concluded that, independently of the experiment, treatments with glyphosate and diuron and ametryn damage caused severe toxic damage to plants of pinhão manso to 35 DAA. On the other hand, revealed the selectivity of herbicides profoxydim, imazamox, mesotrione, acifluorfen + bentazon, sethoxydium, oxyfluorfen, sethoxydim and nicosulfuron, with potential use in the pinhão manso culture.