Enhanced degradation of carbofuran in pacific northwest soils

Abstract

Persistence of ¹⁴C‐carbonyl carbofuran was measured in Pacific Northwest soils that had received 1–14 applications of the insecticide for root weevil control on perennial crops. Insecticide decay curves were obtained in nonautoclaved soil and several autoclaved soil samples from previously‐treated fields and in nonautoclaved soils from paired control sites not previously treated with carbofuran. The insecticide usually degraded faster in soil from previously‐treated fields than in soil from corresponding control fields. Among 26 previously‐treated fields, the pseudo half‐life (time for 50% loss) of carbofuran was < one wk in 11 soils, 1–3 wks in 8 soils and > 4 wks in the remaining soils. Among the nontreated control fields the pseudo half‐life was > than 2 wks in all cases and > than 15 wks in 5 of the soils. The carbofuran decay curve always possessed an initial lag phase where soil mixing enhanced insecticide decline. Carbofuran degraded very slowly in autoclaved soil samples. The half‐life of carbofuran exceeded 16 wk in all autoclaved soils tested and in most instances 85–90% of the original dosage remained when the tests were terminated 112 days after treatment. These results provided evidence that many of the soils which received applications of carbofuran over the past several years have developed a capacity to degrade carbofuran very rapidly.     

Persistence and bioactivity of metsulfuron-methyl in three soils

The persistence of metsulfuron-methyl (methyl 2-[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)aminocarbonyl]aminosul fonyl]benzoate) in nonautoclaved and autoclaved Selangor, Lating, and Serdang series soils incubated at different temperatures and with different moisture contents was investigated under laboratory conditions using cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) as the bioassay species. Significant degradation of metsulfuron-methyl was observed in nonautoclaved soil compared with the autoclaved soil sample, indicating the importance of microorganisms in the breakdown process. At higher temperatures the degradation rate in nonautoclaved soil improved with increasing soil moisture content. In nonautoclaved Selangor, Lating and Serdang series soils, the half-life was reduced from 4.79 to 2.78 days, 4.9 to 3.5, and from 3.3 to 1.9 days, respectively, when the temperature was increased from 20 degrees to 30 degrees C at 80% field capacity. Similarly, in nonautoclaved soil, the half-life decreased with an increasing soil moisture from 20% to 80% at 30 degrees C in the three soils studied. In the autoclaved soil, the half-life values were slightly higher than those obtained in the nonautoclaved soils, perhaps indicating that the compound may be broken down by nonbiological processes. The fresh weight of the bioassay species was reduced significantly in Serdang series soil treated with metsulfuron-methyl at 0.1 ppm. However, the reduction in fresh weight of the seedlings was least in Lating series soil, followed by Selangor series soil.     

A comparative study on the dissipation and microbial metabolism of organophosphate and carbamate insecticides in orchaqualf and fluvaquent soils of West Bengal

An experiment has been conducted under laboratory conditions to investigate the effect of phorate (an organophosphate insecticide) and carbofuran (a carbamate insecticide) at their recommended field rates (1.5 and 1.0 kga.i.ha-1, respectively) on the growth and multiplication of microorganisms as well as rate of dissipation and persistence of the insecticidal residues including their metabolites in laterite (typic orchaqualf) and alluvial (typic fluvaquent) soils of West Bengal. Application of phorate and carbofuran in general, induced growth and development of bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, N2-fixing bacteria and phosphate solubilizing microorganisms in both the soils and the stimulation was more pronounced with phorate as compared to carbofuran. Application of phorate recorded highest stimulation of fungi in laterite and actinomycetes in alluvial soil. Carbofuran on the other hand, augmented fungi and N2-fixing bacteria in laterite and actinomycetes in alluvial soil. Bacterial population was inhibited due to the application of carbofuran in alluvial soil. Phorate sulfoxide and phorate sulfone, the two metabolites of phorate and 3-hydroxycarbofuran and 3-ketocarbofuran, the two metabolites of carbofuran isolated were less persistent in both the soils. Phorate persisted in laterite and alluvial soils up to 45 and 60 days, respectively depicting the half-life (T1/2) 9.7 and 11.5 days, respectively while the T1/2 of carbofuran for the said soils were 16.9 and 8.8 days, respectively. No metabolite of carbofuran was detected in soils after 30 days of incubation while phorate sulfone persisted in alluvial soil even after 60 days of application of the insecticide.     

Carbofuran residues in organic soils in Southwestern Ontario, 1977

Organic soils from 22 farms with a history of carbofuran use for soil insect control were sampled in November, 1977. Analysis for carbofuran was by electron capture gas chromatography of the heptaflurobutyric derivative. Nineteen of the 22 soils contained detectable (sensitivity 0.02 ppm) carbofuran residues. However only 8 of the soils contained greater than 0.5 ppm total carbofuran. The highest total carbofuran residue was 1.5 ppm, of which 0.31 ppm was 3-ketocarbofuran. In other soil samples 3-ketocarbofuran comprised 7-50% of the total carbofuran residue. No 3-hydroxycarbofuran was detected. The order of persistence of granular application of 3 insecticides as seed-furrow treatments was ethion greater than fonofos greater than carbofuran.     

A laboratory study of the persistence of carbofuran and its 3‐hydroxy‐ and 3 keto‐metabolites in sterile and natural mineral and organic soils

Abstract

In a laboratory study, the persistence of carbofuran and its 3‐hydroxy‐ and 3‐keto‐metabolites was examined separately over 16 wk in sterile and natural organic (muck) and mineral (loam) soils. Carbofuran was relatively persistent in sterile soils; at 8 wk 77% remained in the sterile muck and about 50% remained in the sterile loam. In the natural muck 25% of initial carbofuran remained at 8 wk whereas in the natural loam carbofuran had completely disappeared by that time. The 3‐ketocarbofuran was very short‐lived even in the sterile muck where only 50% remained at 1 wk. The 3‐hydroxycarbofuran degraded appreciably on zero day in the natural soils (with conversion to 3‐ketocarbofuran) and about 90% had disappeared in 1 wk. A more detailed study of the persistence of 3‐hydroxycarbofuran in the natural soils showed complete disappearance in 2 days in loam and in 3 days in muck. The 3‐ketocarbofuran produced from the 3‐hydroxy‐carbofuran reached a maximum concentration in 1 day and then disappeared within 4 days in loam and about 1 wk in muck.     

Carbofuran degradation in soil profiles

Abstract

Two soils, Puyallup fine sandy loam from Puyallup, WA, and Ellzey fine sand from Hastings, FL, each with a prior history of carbofiiran exposure but with different pedological and climatological characteristics, were found to exhibit enhanced degradation toward carbofiiran in surface and subsurface soil layers. The treated Puyallup and Ellzey soils exhibited higher mineralization rates for both the carbonyl and the aromatic ring of carbofiiran when compared to untreated soils. Disappearance rates of [¹⁴C‐URL (uniformly ring labeled)] carbofiiran in the treated Ellzey soil was faster than in untreated soil, and also faster in surface soil than in subsurface soil. Initial degradation patterns in the treated Ellzey soil were also different from those in the untreated soil. The treated Ellzey soil degraded carbofuran mainly through biological hydrolysis, while untreated soil degraded carbofuran through both oxidative and hydrolytic processes.     

A comparison of the persistence in a clay loam of single and repeated annual applications of seven granular insecticides used for corn rootworm control

In May 1983, granular formulations of carbofuran, chlorpyrifos, disulfoton, fonofos, isofenphos, phorate, and terbufos were applied in incorporated bands to duplicate 2 m2 field plots of clay loam. Insecticide concentrations were determined in the bands at 0,1,2,3,4,6,8,10,12,16, and 20 wk. Following spring cultivation, the insecticides were applied to the same plots in 1984 and 1985. In addition, carbofuran was applied to previously untreated plots in 1984 and all 7 materials were applied to previously untreated plots in 1985. Sampling and analysis were carried out as in 1983. Persistence was assessed on the basis of the disappearance rates measured for the 1st 8 wk and of a calculated Effectiveness Potential (the ratio of the average residue in the upper 5 cm of the band at 8, 10 and 12 wk and the published LC95 for western corn rootworm in clay loam soil). Soils treated with carbofuran and isofenphos in 1984 and all soils treated in 1985 were tested for anti-insecticide activity. Soil cores from some carbofuran, chlorpyrifos and terbufos treated plots were sectioned vertically to establish the distribution of the insecticides during 1985. In addition, granular and pure chemical forms of isofenphos and carbofuran were applied at 10 ppm to anti-isofenphos and anti-carbofuran active and control soils (from field plots) maintained at 10 and 20% moisture in the laboratory to assess the effect of formulation and moisture on persistence in active soils. Insecticide concentrations were determined at 0,1,3,7, 10,14,21,28, and 35 days. The persistence of chlorpyrifos, terbufos and phorate was relatively constant over the 3 years and between plots receiving single and multiple treatments. Disulfoton and fonofos behavior was more variable and that of carbofuran and isofenphos was extremely variable. Anti-insecticide activity against carbofuran and isofenphos was detectable 2 wk after an initial application and was still present the following spring. Anti-insecticide activity against fonofos, terbufos sulfoxide, phorate sulfone and disulfoton sulfone was also generated in this soil. Anti-insecticide activity against chlorpyrifos, disulfoton, terbufos and phorate was not present. Carbofuran, chlorpyrifos and terbufos (+ metabolites) present in the upper 5 cm of soil averaged 93, 94 and 94%, respectively, of the total core contents over 12 wk. Significant moisture dependent differences were observed between the behavior of granular carbofuran and granular isofenphos in anti-insecticide active soils.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Adsorption, desorption, soil mobility and aqueous persistence of fensulfothion and its sulfide and sulfone metabolites

Soil/water interactions with the insecticide fensulfothion and its sulfide and sulfone metabolites and described. Adsorption to, and desorption from four soils were studied. There was a general inverse relationship between water solubilities of the three chemicals and their adsorption K values. Order of adsorption was f. sulfide greater than f. sulfone greater than fensulfothion. Adsorption K values correlated significantly with soil organic content. Desorption of fensulfothion and the sulfone were similar whereas the less soluble sulfide desorbed to a lesser extent. To facilitate comparison of desorption tendencies of the three compounds of desorption index was developed. Mobilities through the soils were directly related to the water solubilities of the three chemicals. Mobilities in decreasing order were - fensulfothion greater than f. sulfone greater than f. sulfide. Persistence of fensulfothion was similar in both sterile and non-sterile natural water - about 50% remaining at the end of the 16 wk experiment. Under reducing conditions fensulfothion disappeared from water in 8-12 wk with almost complete conversion to the sulfide.     

Effect of five insecticides on microbial and enzymatic activities in sandy soil

Abstract

A laboratory study was conducted to examine the effects of five insecticides on microbial and enzymatic activities important to fertility in sandy soil. Cyfluthrin significantly increased bacterial populations after 2 wks. Imidacloprid showed an inhibitory effect on fungal numbers after 2 wks incubation while the others did not affect fungal population. No inhibitory effect was observed on nitrification of soil indigenous nitrogen. All treatments stimulated S‐oxidation after 4 wks. With the exception of cyfluthrin and imidacloprid after 2 wks, denitrification in sandy soil indicated that all treatment inhibited denitrification throughout the experiment. No inhibitory effects on biomass‐c were observed during 2‐wk periods. An inhibitory effect was observed on amylase after 1 wk while significant recovery was observed after 3 wks. With the exception of HgCl₂, no effect was observed on reducing sugar formation for 2 wks with all treatments. Formazan formation resulting from dehydrogenase activity was significantly greater with tebupirimphos and Aztec for 1 wk. All treatments supressed phosphatase activity for 1 wk, while none of the treatments suppressed phosphatase activity after 2 wks. Amitraz, tebupirimphos and Aztec inhibited urease activity for 1 wk. With the exception of tebupirimphos, no treatments affected N₂‐fixation in soil. Although short‐lived inhibitory effects on activities of microbes and enzymes were caused by the insecticides, the soil indigenous microbes can tolerate the chemicals used for control of soil pests.     

Insecticide residues in cotton crop soil

Dimethoate, monocrotophos, triazophos, deltamethrin, cypermethrin and endosulfan were applied to a cotton crop soil located at Nurpur village, Punjab, India. The insecticides were applied sequentially at recommended dosages in cotton fields by foliar application in 1995, 1996 and 1998. Soil samples were collected from the cotton crop farms and extracted with acetone. The extracted material was analysed by a gas liquid chromatograph (GLC) equipped with an 63Ni electron-capture detector (ECD-63Ni). Recovery data was obtained by fortifying soil with insecticide. The average recoveries from the fortified soil samples were 76-92% for organophosphorous compounds and 90-98% for synthetic pyrethroids and organochlorines. The results showed that the insecticide residues under study were present in the range of 1.16 to 41.97 ng g(-1) d.wt.soil. The pattern of dissipation of the insecticides used was similar for the duration of the crop. Half lives of the insecticides ranged from 7 to 22 days. Except endosulfan none of the other insecticides used were leached below 15 cm. Endosulfan was found to be rapidly degraded in the soil and formed a sulfate metabolite. Persistence and dissipation pattern in soils with history of exposure to the insecticide compared to non-history soils were similar.     

Dissipation of chlorpyrifos in two soil environments of semi-arid India

The dissipation of chlorpyrifos (20 EC) at environment-friendly doses in the sandy loam and loamy sand soils of two semi-arid fields and the presence of pesticide residues in the harvested groundnut seeds, were monitored. The movement of chlorpyrifos through soil and its binding in the loamy sand soil was studied using 14C chlorpyrifos. Chlorpyrifos was moderately stable in both loamy sand and sandy loam soils, with half-life of 12.3 and 16.4 days, respectively. With 20 EC treatments the dissipation was slower for standing crop than seed treatment, indicative of the high degradation rates in the bioactive rhizosphere. In soil, 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP) was the principal breakdown product. Presence of 3,5,6-trichloro-2-methoxypyridine (TMP), the secondary metabolite, detected in the rhizospheric samples during this study, has not been reported earlier in field soils. The rapid dissipation of the insecticide from the soil post-application might have resulted from low sorption due to the alkalinity of the soil and its low organic matter content, fast topsoil dissipation possibly by volatilization and photochemical degradation, aided by the low water solubility, limited vertical mobility due to confinement of residues to the upper 15 cm soil layers and microbial mineralization and nucleophilic hydrolysis. Contrary to the reports of relatively greater mobility of its metabolites in temperate soils, TMP and TCP remained confined to the top 15 cm soil. The formation of bound residues (half-life 13.4 days) in the loamy sand soil was little and not "irreversible." A decline in bound residues could be correlated to decreasing TCP concentration. Higher pod yields were obtained from pesticide treated soils in comparison to controls. Post-harvest no pesticide residues were detected in the soils and groundnut seeds.     

Effect of some technical and formulated insecticides on microbial activities in soil

Abstract

The influence of 11 formulated and technical insecticides at 10 μg/g soil on growth and activities of microorganisms was determined. The populations of bacteria and fungi initially decreased with some pesticide treatments but recovered rapidly to levels similar to or greater than those of controls after three weeks. Both formulated and technical chlordane, chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin stimulated fungal growth. No inhibition on nitrification after two wks and sulfur oxidation after three wks was observed in treatments with either grade of insecticide. The effect of different treatments on respiration was equal to or greater than that of control sample. Less effect was observed with technical insecticides than the formulated ones on microbial populations and activities in the soil.     

Enhanced microbial degradation of cadusafos in soils from potato monoculture: demonstration and characterization

Rapid degradation of cadusafos was evident in soils collected from previously-treated field sites from a potato monoculture area in northern Greece. The slower degradation of cadusafos observed in corresponding antibiotic-treated soils as well as in soils from an adjacent previously-untreated field demonstrated the microbial involvement in the rapid degradation of cadusafos in the soils from the previously-treated sites. Application of the non-specific antibacterial antibiotic chloramphenicol or of the Gram+ bacteria-inhibiting antibiotics penicillin + lyncomycin + vancomycin significantly inhibited the rapid biodegradation of cadusafos suggesting that soil bacteria and probably Gram+ bacteria are mainly responsible for the rapid biodegradation of cadusafos in the specific soil. Further experiments showed that the bacterial population of the cadusafos-adapted soil was also able to rapidly degrade the chemically related nematicide ethoprophos but not fenamiphos and oxamyl. This is the first report of the occurrence of enhanced biodegradation of cadusafos in potato fields. In addition, the finding of cross-enhancement between cadusafos and ethoprophos significantly reduces the number of available chemicals which could be alternated to prevent the development of enhanced biodegradation and thus intensifies the problem in potato monoculture areas like the one in northern Greece.     

Influence and persistence of phorate and carbofuran insecticides on microorganisms in rice field

An experiment was conducted in microplots (4 m x 4 m) with two insecticides, phorate and carbofuran at rates of 1.5 and 1.0 kga.i.ha(-1) respectively, to investigate its effect on the population and distribution of bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi as well as the persistence of the insecticidal residues in rhizosphere soils of rice (Oryza sativa L., variety IR-50). Application of the insecticides stimulated the population of bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi in the rhizosphere soils, and the stimulation was more pronounced with phorate as compared to carbofuran. Both the insecticides did not have marked effect on the numbers of Streptomyces and Nocardia in the rhizosphere soils. However, the growth of Bacillus, Escherichia, Flavobacterium, Micromonospora, Penicillium, Aspergillus and Trichoderma with phorate and that of Bacillus, Corynebacterium, Flavobacterium, Aspergillus and Phytophthora with carbofuran were increased. On the other hand, the numbers of Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Fusarium, Humicola and Rhizopus under phorate and Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Klebsiella, Fusarium, Humicola and Rhizopus under carbofuran were inhibited. Both the insecticides persisted in the rhizosphere soil for a short period of time and the rate of dissipation of carbofuran was higher than that of phorate in the soil depicting the half-life (T1/2) 9.1 and 10.4 days, respectively.     

Kinetics of carbosulfan hydrolysis to carbofuran and the subsequent degradation of this last compound in irrigated rice fields

The objectives of this work were estimate the reaction rates of hydrolysis of carbosulfan to carbofuran and subsequent degradation of this last compound in irrigated rice fields, and the respective half life, in aquatic environment and soil solution, by mean of numerical solution of differential ordinary linear equations system that describes the kinetics of insecticide concentrations. The results indicated that the carbosulfan and carbofuran have low persistence in water and medium persistence in soil solution of tropical irrigated rice fields. However, both compounds can be found in laminar water and soil solution in concentration above environmental and human safety limits.     

Persistence and biodegradation of carbaryl in soils

Abstract

The persistence of the methylcarbamate pesticide carbaryl was studied in four soils under flooded conditions. A substantial portion of the pesticide was recovered from all soils even after 15 days of its application, with the recovery ranging from 37% in an alluvial soil to 73% in an acid sulfate soil. The degradation of carbaryl was more rapid under flooded conditions than under nonflooded conditions. A bacterium, Pseudomonas cepacia, isolated from a flooded soil amended with a related methylcarbamate pesticide carbofuran, degraded carbaryl in a mineral medium supplemented with yeast extract.     

Ammonium-nitrogen transformation and nitrogen retention in broiler manure supplemented with a soil amendment containing nitrifying bacteria

The effect of a soil amendment on ammonium nitrogen transformation and nitrogen retention in broiler manure was evaluated. Prior to incubation, broiler manure was mixed with autoclaved soil or non-autoclaved soil in different ratios to make 1 kg mixtures; broiler manure:non-autoclaved soil=9:1, 5:5, and 1:9 or broiler manure:autoclaved soil=9:1, 5:5, and 1:9. The non-autoclaved soil treatment reduced either numerically or significantly NH(4)(+)-N concentration compared to the autoclaved soil treatment during the 8-wk incubation. Total-N concentration of the non-autoclaved soil treatments was lower than the autoclaved soil treatments from 4 to 8 wk. The lowest manure to non-autoclaved soil treatment (M:S=1:9) had considerably more nitrite and nitrate; however, the higher ratio manure to non-autoclaved soil treatments (M:S=9:1 and 5:5) had slightly higher total nitrite and nitrate levels compared to the same ratio of autoclaved soil treatments. The moisture level of the 9:1, 5:5, and 1:9 M:S treatments were approximately 70, 45, and 30%, respectively. The results indicated that nitrifying bacteria in the non-autoclaved soil reduced the ammonium nitrogen concentrations of poultry manure by converting NH(3) or NH(4)(+) to NO(2)(-) or NO(3)(-). However, the higher moisture levels in treatments with greater manure to soil ratios (M:S=9:1 and 5:5) created anaerobic conditions that allowed for denitrification and greater N losses.     

Effects of conditioning,cross‐conditioning,and microbial growth on development of enhanced biodegradation of insecticides in soil

Abstract

Pretreatment of a Drummer‐Catlin soil mixture with granular formulations of carbofuran or trimethacarb enhanced biodegradation of subsequent treatments with the technical formulations. Degradation of carbofuran was enhanced by pretreatments with trimethacarb, and degradation of trimethacarb was enhanced by pretreatments with carbofuran. Bendiocarb degradation was enhanced by pretreatments of soil with carbofuran or trimethacarb. In bioassays with southern corn rootworm larvae, biological activity of carbofuran, trimethacarb, and bendiocarb was rapidly lost in soils pretreated with granular formulations. Pretreatment of soil with granular terbufos did not enhance the biodegradation of subsequent applications of technical terbufos. Several microbial biomass assays showed an increase in specific carbofuran‐degrading bacteria in soils that were pretreated with carbofuran. Bacteria were isolated that could grow on carbofuran and apparently degrade it when present with another carbon source.     

Persistence of azadirachtin A and B in soil: Effects of temperature and microbial activity

Abstract

The persistence of two insecticidally active compounds from the neem tree, azadirachtin A and B, was determined at two different temperatures (15 and 25°C) in the laboratory after application of the commercial neem insecticide, Margosan‐O, to a sandy loam soil. The influence of microbial activity on degradation was also examined by comparing autoclaved and non‐autoclaved soils also at 15 and 25°C. Temperature influenced degradation rates. The DT ₅₀ (time required for 50% disappearance of the initial concentration) for azadirachtin A was 43.9 and 19.8 d for non‐autoclaved soil kept at 15 and 25°C, respectively. The DT ₅₀ for azadirachtin B was 59.2 and 20.8 d for non‐autoclaved soil kept at 15 and 25°C, respectively. Microbial activity was also responsible for faster degradation because DT ₅₀ ’s for autoclaved soil were much longer than for non‐autoclaved soils. DT ₅₀ ‘_s for azadirachtin A in autoclaved soil were 91.2 (15°C) and 31.5 d (25°C). DT50’s for azadirachtin B in autoclaved soil were 115.5 (15°C) and 42.3 d (25°C). Two degradation products of azadirachtin were detected, but were not identified. Higher levels of the two degradation products were detected in non‐autoclaved soil.     

Modelling the fate of organic chemicals in the soil plant environment: Model study of root uptake of pesticides

The fate of organic chemicals in the soil-plant-atmosphere environment and the governing processes were studied with a coupled dynamic soil transport and plant compartment model. Scenarios with applications of pesticides on sand and loam soils with chemical uptake in barley and wheat were used in the model calculations. Root uptake and concentrations in the plant compartments stem, leave and fruit were calculated for the pesticides terbuthylazine, isoproturon and carbofuran.

The effectivity of uptake from soils with different soil sorption coefficients had been shown for sand and loam soils. The processes degradation in plant and volatilization from leaves to atmosphere are especially effective for carbofuran and terbuthylazine. Although the concentrations in corn at harvest are lower than the maximum allowed concentrations, the peak concentrations in the course of the vegetation period are significantly higher (factor ≤ 200).