Isolation and characteristics of sulfentrazone-degrading bacteria.

This study aimed to isolate and characterize bacteria able to use sulfentrazone in the commercial formulation as their sole carbon source. The isolation of the potential sulfentrazone-degrading bacteria was made from soil samples with a recent history of herbicide application and from isolates identified through rDNA sequencing. Subsequently, we assessed the growth of the isolates and their sulfentrazone degradation ability using high-performance liquid chromatography. Twenty-six potential sulfentrazone-degrading bacterial isolates were obtained in pure culture. Through analysis of the rDNA sequences, the predominance of bacterial species of the genus Pseudomonas was found. The isolates presented a differentiated ability of sulfentrazone degradation. The presence of herbicide in the culture medium reduced the log phase of four isolates. Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas lutea, Pseudomonas plecoglossicida and three isolates of Pseudomonas sp. showed higher sulfentrazone degradation capacity, which varied from 4 to 15%. This is the first report of the Pseudomonas genre capable of sulfentrazone degradation. The isolates obtained present potential use in bioremediation programs for soil contaminated with sulfentrazone.

Glyphosate reduces urediniospore development and Puccinia psidii disease severity on Eucalyptus grandis.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown the effects of glyphosate drift on decreasing rust intensity on Eucalyptus grandis plants. However, the effects of the herbicide on Puccinia psidii initial development are unknown. In this study the systemic action of glyphosate on rust severity was evaluated on Eucalyptus plants maintained under greenhouse conditions. Urediniospore germination and apressorium formation on detached leaves and on water agar medium, previously treated with glyphosate, were also evaluated. RESULTS: Rust severity and the number of urediniospores per leaf area were significantly reduced with increasing glyphosate doses, even on branches not directly treated with the herbicide, indicating a systemic effect of glyphosate on pathogen development. Similarly, higher glyphosate doses also reduced germination and apressorium formation on detached Eucalyptus leaves, regardless of the direct application of the product on the leaf limb or on the petiole base. Puccinia psidii urediniospore germination in water agar medium also decreased with increasing herbicide doses. CONCLUSIONS: Reductions in germination and apressorium formation of P. psidii urediniospores with increasing glyphosate dose indicate that a lower severity and intensity of the disease may perhaps be due to blockage of the shikimic acid pathway in the fungal metabolic system.