Leaching of saflufenacil in soils with different organic matter contents

Saflufenacil is a herbicide recommended for use in the main agricultural crops in Brazil to control eudicotyledonous weeds. However, the application of saflufenacil has been carried out without previous knowledge of this herbicide interactions with soil colloids, which may increase environmental contamination risks. In this study, the leaching of saflufenacil in soil samples was estimated with different organic matter contents. Therefore, PVC columns were filled with samples of Xanthic Ferralsol (XF) and Ferralsol (F), with different physical and chemical attributes. Twelve hours after herbicide (70 g i.a. ha-1) application, the PVC columns were subjected to a rainfall of 60 mm. For the evaluation of saflufenacil leaching, the columns were sectioned in ten parts with 5-cm each. Saflufenacil leached up to 50 and 40 cm deep in the samples, with the lowest contents of organic matter of XF and F, respectively. The increase in organic matter content of Ferralsol and Xanthic Ferralsol samples reduced saflufenacil leaching and the symptoms of intoxication in the indicator species. There was an inverse relation between the content of organic matter and the leaching of the herbicide in both soils studied. It was observed that the application of saflufenacil in soils with low organic matter contents may represent a significant environmental contamination risk of soils and watercourses.

Life History of Bedellia somnulentella (Lepidoptera: Bedelliidae) Feeding on Ipomoea batatas (Solanales: Convolvulaceae) Leaves and Survey of Parasitoids in Brazil.

The microlepidoptera, Bedellia somnulentella (Zeller), is an important pest of sweetpotato, Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. Damage by B. somnulentella occurs in the larval stage and when consuming the foliar mesophyll of I. batatas make the leaves brown, wrinkled, and reducing the photosynthetic area and the yield. The detection and management of this pest depends on knowing its biological cycle and identifying its natural enemies. The objectives of this study were to determine the life history of B. somnulentella feeding on I. batatas leaves and to survey parasitoids of this pest in the field. The duration and viability of B. somnulentella egg, larva, prepupa, pupa, and adult stages were evaluated under laboratory conditions. Cephalic capsule width was measured to determine the number of B. somnulentella instars, based on the Dyar rule and analyzed by the Akaike statistical model (AIC). The developmental period of B. somnulentella was 32.5 ± 0. 21 d with a viability of 75, 84, 100, and 84% for the egg, larva, prepupa, and pupa stages, respectively. The identification of this pest on the plants is possible from the third instar and in the pupal and adult stages. The parasitoid Conura sp. (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) was identified parasitizing pupae of B. somnulentella and could be considered a potential natural enemy for the integrated management of this pest.

Influence of Organic Matter in Sorption of the Saflufenacil in Ferralsols.

The saflufenacil herbicide has been applied in the agricultural areas as an efficient alternative for the control of resistant weeds to glyphosate. However, the environmental risks from the use of saflufenacil, especially in tropical soil, is not yet clearly known. We evaluated if the organic matter addition into the soil influences the sorption of saflufenacil in samples of a sandy and clayey texture soils. The sugarbeet was used as a species indicating the presence of saflufenacil in the solution of the substrates. We estimated the required dose of saflufenacil responsible for causing 50% of sugarbeet intoxication (C50) and the sorption ratio (SR) of this herbicide. The addition of organic matter increased the C50 and SR of saflufenacil in both soils. Here it is demonstrated that the soil organic matter content increases saflufenacil sorption in tropical soils and, consequently influences the dose of this herbicide to be applied in pre-emergence of weeds.

Influence of Glyphosate Formulations on the Behavior of Sulfentrazone in Soil in Mixed Applications.

The selection of weed biotypes that are resistant to glyphosate has increased the demand for its use mixed with other herbicides, such as sulfentrazone. However, when chemical molecules are mixed, interactions may occur, modifying the behavior of these molecules in the environment, such as the sorption and desorption in soil. In this study, we hypothesized that the presence of glyphosate-formulated products might increase the sorption or decrease the desorption of sulfentrazone, thereby increasing the risk of the contamination of water resources. Therefore, our work aimed to evaluate the sorption, desorption, and leaching of sulfentrazone in the soil in an isolated and mixed application with different glyphosate formulations. The sorption coefficients (Kfs) for the sulfentrazone, sulfentrazone + Roundup Ready, sulfentrazone + Roundup Ultra, and sulfentrazone + Zapp Qi foram were 1.3, 2.1, 2.3, and 1.9, respectively. The desorption coefficients (Kfd) for the sulfentrazone, sulfentrazone + Roundup Ready, sulfentrazone + Roundup Ultra, and sulfentrazone + Zapp Qi foram were 65.7, 125.2, 733.3 and 239.8, respectively. The experiments demonstrated that the sorption and desorption of sulfentrazone in combination with the other formulated glyphosate products are altered, supporting the hypothesis suggested by this work, i.e., that the presence of other molecules is a factor that affects the behavior of herbicides in the soil. This phenomenon altered the vertical mobility of sulfentrazone. Situations involving mixtures of pesticides should be evaluated in order to improve our understanding of the dynamics of these molecules and thus avoid environmental contamination.

Adsorption mechanisms of atrazine isolated and mixed with glyphosate formulations in soil.

In Brazil, the atrazine has been applied frequently to join with glyphosate to control resistant biotypes and weed tolerant species to glyphosate. However, there are no studies about atrazine's behavior in soil when applied in admixture with glyphosate. Knowledge of atrazine's sorption and desorption mixed with glyphosate is necessary because the lower sorption and higher desorption may increase the leaching and runoff of pesticides, reaching groundwaters and rivers. Thereby, the objective of this study was to evaluate the adsorption mechanisms of atrazine when isolated and mixed with glyphosate formulations in a Red-Yellow Latosol. The maximum adsorbed amount of atrazine in equilibrium (qe) was not altered due to glyphosate formulations. The time to reach equilibrium was shortest when atrazine was mixed with the Roundup Ready® (te = 4.3 hours) due to the higher adsorption velocity (k2 = 2.3 mg min-1) in the soil. The highest sorption of atrazine occurred when mixed with the Roundup WG®, with the Freundlich sorption coefficient (Kf) equal to 2.51 and 2.43 for both formulation concentrations. However, other glyphosate formulations did not affect the sorption of atrazine. The desorption of atrazine was high for all treatments, with values close to 80% of the initial adsorbed amount, without differences among isolated and mixed treatments. The change in the velocity and capacity of sorption for the atrazine mixed with some glyphosate formulations indicates that further studies should be conducted to identify the mechanisms involved in this process.

Estimation of sulfentrazone sorption in isolated application and mixed with glyphosate / Estimativa da sorção do sulfentrazone na aplicação isolada e em mistura com glifosato

The use of herbicides belonging to a single mechanism of action for several consecutive years in the same area may lead to the selection of weed biotypes resistant to herbicides. Weeds resistant to glyphosate have been problem worldwide. As an alternative control, farmers have used glyphosate mixed with sulfentrazone. When two herbicides are mixed, the parameters that govern the behaviour of herbicides in the soil can be altered. In this study, the sorption of sulfentrazone was estimated when applied in isolation with glyphosate formulations. For this, increasing doses of sulfentrazone were applied using Red-Yellow Latosol substrate and washed sand. Each dose of sulfentrazone was applied in a mixture with 1080 g a. e. ha-1 Roundup Ready®, Roundup Ultra® and Zapp Qi®. To evaluate the presence of sulfentrazone in the soil solution, Sorghum bicolor was used as an indicator species. Symptoms of intoxication were evaluated at 7, 14 and 21 days after sowing. At 21 days after sowing, the plants were collected and dried in an oven at 70 ± 10 °C to determine the dry matter. Based on the intoxication of the indicator plants, it was verified that, regardless of the formulation, the presence of glyphosate in the mixture increased the sorption of sulfentrazone in the Red-Yellow Latosol. However, based on dry matter accumulation, sulfentrazone sorption increased because of the mixture with Roundup Ultra®, but decreased due to the presence of Roundup Ready® and Zapp Qi®. Therefore, the application of sulfentrazone in mixture with glyphosate alters the sorptive forces of sulfentrazone in a Red-Yellow Latosol.

A utilização de herbicidas pertencentes a um único mecanismo de ação por vários anos consecutivos na mesma área pode levar a seleção de biótipos de plantas daninhas resistentes a herbicidas. Plantas daninhas resistentes ao glyphosate têm sido problema no mundo inteiro. Como alternativa de controle, os agricultores têm utilizado glyphosate em mistura com sulfentrazone. Quando se misturam duas moléculas herbicidas, os parâmetros que governam o comportamento de herbicidas no solo podem ser alterados. Neste estudo foi estimada a sorção do sulfentrazone quando aplicado de forma isolada e em mistura com formulações de glyphosate. Para isso, doses crescentes de sulfentrazone foram aplicadas utilizando-se como substrato Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo e areia lavada. Cada uma das doses de sulfentrazone foi aplicada em mistura com 1080 g ha-1 de glyphosate comercializado nas formulações Roundup Ready®, Roundup Ultra® e Zapp Qi®. Para avaliar a presença do sulfentrazone na solução do solo utilizou-se o Sorghum bicolor como espécie indicadora. Os sintomas de intoxicação foram avaliados aos 7, 14 e 21 dias após a semeadura. Aos 21 dias após a semeadura, as plantas foram coletadas e secadas em estufa a 70 ±10C para determinação da matéria seca. Com base na intoxicação das plantas indicadoras, verificou-se que, independente da formulação, a presença glyphosate na mistura, aumentou a sorção do sulfentrazone no Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo. No entanto com base no acúmulo de matéria seca, constatou-se que a sorção do sulfentrazone aumentou em função da mistura com Roundup Ultra®, mas diminuiu devido a presença de Roundup Ready® e Zapp Qi®. Conclui-se que a aplicação de sulfentrazone em mistura com glyphosate altera as forças sortivas do sulfentrazone no Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo.

Effects of weed management and plant arrangements on yield index of sweet sorghum / Eefeito do manejo de plantas daninhas e arranjo de plantas nos índices de produtividade do sorgo sacarino

Sweet sorghum is currently an important alternative for ethanol production in sugar cane off-season. In this study was to evaluate the effects of plant arrangements and the application of atrazine and S-metolachlor on growth and productivity of sweet sorghum. An experiment was conducted in randomized block design and, arranged in split plots with four repetitions. Plots consisted of spacing (0.25 m, 0.45 m 0.45-0.45-0.90 m) and sub-plots of weed control methods - atrazine (2000 g ha-1), atrazine + S-metolachlor (2000 + 720 g ha-1), atrazine + S-metolachlor (2000 + 960 g ha-1), atrazine + S-metolachlor (2000 + 1200 g ha-1), atrazine + S-metolachlor (2000 + 1440 g ha-1). Besides that, manual hoeing control was added. The intoxication of sorghum plants and weed control was evaluated at 7, 14 e 28 days after herbicides application (DAA). Plant height, stem diameter, total fresh matter, juice mass and total soluble solids (°Brix) were evaluated at 120 days after crop emergence (DAE). There was no interaction between the factors spacings and control method for variables total matter fresh (TMF), height (H), stem diameter (D), juice mass (JM), and Brix. Application of the mixture (atrazine + S-metolachlor) in the highest doses reduced total fresh matter and °Brix. The spacing of 0.25 m provided the highest productivity of fresh matter, juice mass and increased the °Brix. The application of mixture (atrazine + S-metolachlor) controlled 90% of the weeds at 28 days after application. The increasing in doses of S-metolachlor elevates the intoxication in sorghum plants. The mixture (atrazine + S-metolachlor) has a potential for use in weed control in sweet sorghum, but at doses below 960 g ha-1 of S-metolachlor.

O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos de arranjos de plantas e dos herbicidas atrazine e S-metolachlor sobre o crescimento e a produtividade do sorgo sacarino. O experimento foi realizado no delineamento em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram dispostos em esquema de parcelas subdivididas. Nas parcelas avaliaram-se os espaçamentos entrelinhas (0,25 m, 0,45 m e 0,45-0,45-0,90 m) e nas subparcelas os métodos de controle das plantas daninhas: atrazine (2000 g ha-1), atrazine + S-metolachlor (2000 + 720 g ha-1), atrazine + S-metolachlor (2000 + 960 g ha-1), atrazine + S-metolachlor (2000 + 1200 g ha-1), atrazine + S-metolachlor (2000 + 1440 g ha-1), capina manual e ausência de controle. Aos 7, 14 e 28 dias após a aplicação dos herbicidas foi avaliado a intoxicação das plantas de sorgo e o nível de controle de plantas daninhas na cultura. Aos 120 dias após a emergência da cultura avaliou-se altura de plantas, diâmetro de colmo, massa fresca total, massa de caldo e o teor de sólidos solúveis totais (Brix). Não houve interação entre os fatores espaçamentos e o método de controle para as variáveis massa fresca total (TMF), altura (H), diâmetro do caule (D), peso do suco (JM) e Brix. O controle das plantas daninhas e a intoxicação visual do sorgo aumentaram linearmente com o incremento das doses do S-metolachlor. O crescimento da cultura e os teores de Brix foram reduzidos pela aplicação da associação entre atrazine + S-metolachlor. A escolha do espaçamento de entrelinha influenciou nos componentes de rendimento da cultura. Conclui-se que, o espaçamento de 0,25 m de entrelinhas proporcionou maior produtividade de matéria fresca e de Brix do caldo. A associação entre atrazine e S-metolachlor tem potencial para o uso no controle de plantas daninhas em sorgo sacarino, em doses abaixo de 960 g ha-1 de S-metolachlor.

Toxicity and cytopathology mediated by Bacillus thuringiensis in the midgut of Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Bioinsecticides and transgenic plants, based on Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins are important when managing Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a soybean defoliator pest. The interaction of these toxins with the caterpillar's midgut cells determines their efficacy as an insecticide. The objective was to evaluate the toxicity of B. thuringiensis, subsp. kurstaki strain HD-1 and cytopathological changes mediated by these bacterial toxins in the midgut of A. gemmatalis caterpillars. Insecticidal efficacy was determined by calculating lethal concentration values (LC25, LC50, LC75, LC90 and LC99) in the laboratory. Midgut fragments from A. gemmatalis were extracted after bacterial ingestion and evaluated by light, transmission electron and confocal microscopy. The Bt median lethal concentrations showed toxicity [LC50 = 0.46 (0.43-0.49) mg mL-1] to fourth instar A. gemmatalis caterpillars after 108 hours. Bt induces severe cytotoxicity to A. gemmatalis midgut epithelial cells with increasing exposure over time, causing cellular disorganization, microvillus degeneration, cell fragmentation and protrusion, peritrophic membrane rupture, and cell vacuolization. The cell nuclei presented condensed chromatin and an increase in lysosome numbers. Apoptosis occurred in the midgut cells of caterpillars exposed to Bt. A regenerative response in A. gemmatalis caterpillars was observed 8 hours after exposure to Bt, however this response was not continuous. Toxins produced by Bt are harmful to A. gemmatalis at median concentration with structural damage and death of the midgut epithelial cells of this insect.

Environmental remediation processes by zero valence copper: reaction mechanisms.

Recent studies have shown Cu(0) as a promising material for the removal of organic and inorganic pollutants. However, there is no review addressing the studies performed. This fact may be related to the toxicity of the particles and the copper released in solution that has not motivated researchers, which entails in a reduced number of publications. However, studies point out how to solve the problem of Cu deposition in support materials. In this work, a detailed review of Cu(0) applications was performed. The specific focus was the reaction mechanisms related to adsorption, oxidation, and reduction processes. Initially, the resources that allow the understanding of the reaction mechanism, such as characterization techniques and the experimental conditions for investigation of the species involved in the process, were presented. The studies were evaluated separately, showing the mechanisms involved only with the application of Cu(0) in pure and isolated form and in association with oxidizing or reductive agents, combined with irradiation sources and ultrasonic waves and in the form supported in polymer matrices. It was verified that by the proposed reaction mechanisms, the exclusive participation of Cu(0), being the removal process, explained only by the redox behavior of copper. Therefore, the review showed the need for future research regarding the redox behavior of the contaminants.

Validation and application of a QuEChERS based method for estimation of half-life of imidazolinone herbicides in soils by LC-ESI-MS/MS.

A modified QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe) method was validated and applied for the estimation of half-lives of two imidazolinone group herbicides, imazethapyr and imazapic, in the Dystric Plinthosol (FX) and Ferralsol (LVA) agricultural soils using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The solutions were prepared in a matrix extract to avoid matrix effects. The analytical method showed satisfactory specificity, selectivity, linearity (R2 > 0.99), recoveries (range 85.0-117.0%), with RSD between 6.7% and 16.6%, and precision (range 94.7-108.5%), with RSD between 6.0% and 11.9%. The limit of detections for imazethapyr and imazapic in the soils were 2.2 µg kg-1 and 2.0 µg kg-1, and the limit of quantifications were 6.6 µg kg-1 and 6.1 µg kg-1. The half-lives of imazethapyr (35.7 and 97.9 days) and imazapic (40.4 and 64.4 days), in the FX and LVA soils, respectively, indicate that they are medium-persistence herbicides with possibility of leaching into groundwater. In addition, high concentrations of imazethapyr and imazapic were found in the soil samples after the time of application, meaning that there is a potential for prolonged soil residual activity due to carryover.

Physiological quality of bean seeds after application of desiccant herbicides / Qualidade fisiológica de sementes de feijão após aplicação de herbicidas dessecantes

ABSTRACT: The application of desiccant herbicides in the bean crop is fundamental in the production of quality seeds, since it anticipates the harvesting season, which makes it possible to obtain seeds in the period of physiological maturation, when they are reported with maximum accumulation of dry matter, high vigor levels and germination percentage. However, there is little information about the ideal application time of these products to obtain beans of high physiological quality. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological quality of bean seeds after application of desiccant herbicides at different times in preharvest. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design in a 2x3+1 factorial scheme, with four replications. Desiccant herbicides paraquat (400g ha-1) and paraquat + diuron (200 + 400g ha-1) were applied in three phenological stages (R8, R8/R9 and R9), plus one control (without herbicide application). Yield (Kg ha-1), mass of one thousand seeds (g), germination (%) and seed vigor were evaluated through tests of accelerated aging, electrical conductivity and primary root length. Application of paraquat molecule at the R8 stage and the paraquat + diuron mixture at the R8/R9 stage reduced the viability and vigor of the bean seeds, and compromised yield. Applications of the paraquat herbicide at the R8/R9 and R9 stages or of the mixture (paraquat + diuron) at the R9 stage preserved the physiological quality of the seeds without;however, affecting yield.

RESUMO: A aplicação de herbicidas dessecantes na cultura do feijoeiro é fundamental na produção de sementes de qualidade porque antecipa a época de colheita, o que possibilita a obtenção de sementes no período de maturação fisiológica, quando se encontram com máximo acúmulo de matéria seca, elevados níveis de vigor e alta porcentagem de germinação. Todavia, são escassas as informações acerca da época ideal de aplicação desses produtos na obtenção de sementes de feijão de alta qualidade fisiológica. Por essa razão, objetivou-se avaliar a qualidade fisiológica de sementes de feijão após aplicações de herbicidas dessecantes em diferentes épocas na pré-colheita. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados dispostos em esquema fatorial 2x3+1, com quatro repetições. A aplicação dos herbicidas dessecantes paraquat (400g ha-1) e paraquat + diuron (200+400g ha-1) foi realizada em três estádios fenológicos (R8, R8/R9 e R9), mais uma testemunha (sem aplicação do herbicida). Avaliou-se a produtividade (Kg ha-1), a massa de mil sementes (g), a germinação (%) e o vigor das sementes por meio dos testes de envelhecimento acelerado, condutividade elétrica e comprimento da raiz primária. A aplicação da molécula de paraquat no estádio R8 e da mistura paraquat + diuron no estágio R8/R9 reduziu a viabilidade e o vigor das sementes de feijão, além disso comprometeu a produtividade. Aplicações dos herbicidas paraquat nos estádios R8/R9 e R9 ou da mistura (paraquat + diuron) no estádio R9 preservaram a qualidade fisiológica das sementes, sem, entretanto, afetar a produtividade.

Sorption and desorption behavior of herbicide clomazone in soils from Brazil / Comportamento de sorção e dessorção do clomazone em solos do Brasil

The knowledge of the processes that affect soil herbicide behavior allows to developing practices that improve efficiency in chemical weed control and reduce the negative impacts of cropping-systems. In this research, we used HPLC to determine sorption and desorption of clomazone in Brazilian soil samples (Red-Yellow Latosol with liming and without liming, Red latosol with and without liming, and Organosol). To study clomazone sorption, we used the batch equilibrium method. Clomazone concentrations in soil samples were determined by HPLC. Desorption was quantitated using the samples contained in tubes after sorption testing, repeating the steps followed to quantify sorption. The Freundlich isotherm adequately describe clomazone sorption in all soils. Variation in pH in Red-Yellow Latosol and Red Latosol did not change clomazone sorption. The values of the Freundlich constant (Kf) indicate that clomazone sorption is higher in Organosol, followed by Red latosol (with liming) = Red latosol (without liming) > Red-Yellow Latosol (with liming) = Red-Yellow Latosol (without liming). We conclude that among the attributes evaluated, soil organic matter has the highest impact on clomazone sorption. There was a direct relationship between Kf values and organic matter content of the substrates. Desorption of clomazone was very low in the evaluated soils, with the exception of Organosol, where quantification of the herbicide was possible.

O conhecimento dos processos que afetam o comportamento de herbicidas no solo permite desenvolver práticas que melhorem a eficiência no controle químico de plantas daninhas e reduzam os impactos negativos do seu uso em sistemas agrícolas. Nesta pesquisa, utilizando a cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência, foram determinadas a sorção e dessorção do clomazone em amostras de solos do Brasil (Latossolo VermelhoAmarelo com e sem calagem, Latossolo Vermelho com e sem calagem, e Organossolo). Para o estudo da sorção do clomazone foi utilizado o método Batch Equilibrium. As concentrações do clomazone nas soluções das amostras dos solos foram determinadas por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência após centrifugação e filtração das soluções. A dessorção foi quantificada utilizandoas amostras contidas nos tubos, após os ensaios de sorção repetindo-se os passos seguidos para quantificar a sorção. A isoterma de Freundlich ajustou-se adequadamente para descrever a sorção do clomazone em todos os solos estudados. As variações de pH nos Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo e Latossolo Vermelho não alteraram a sorção do clomazone. Os valores de Kf indicam que oclomazone é mais sorvido no Organossolo seguindo a sorção em ordem decrescente para Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo, Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo (com calagem), Latossolo Vermelho e Latossolo Vermelho (com calagem). Concluiu-se que dentre os atributos dos solos avaliados a matéria orgânica foi o que mais influenciou a sorção do clomazone. Observou-se relação direta entre valores de Kf e teores de matéria orgânica nos substratos. A dessorção do clomazone foi muito baixa nos solos avaliados, com excessão do Organossolo, onde foi possível a quantificação do herbicida.

Persistence of picloram in soil with different vegetation managements.

Herbicides with long residual period may increase the risk of environmental contamination. Adequate management of forage can reduce the half-life of the picloram, one of the most herbicides used in weed control. This study aims to determine the half-life of picloram, using high-performance liquid chromatography in a cultivated soil with Brachiaria brizantha trimmed or not. Brachiaria brizantha was cultivated in 60 pots filled with samples of oxisol, and 30 others were kept uncultivated with this forage. This plant was cut off close to the ground, after 60 days of emergency on 30 vessels. Picloram was applied in all of the plots. Soil samples were collected at 2, 16, 30, 44, 58, 72, 86, 120, 150, and 180 days after the application of this herbicide. These samples were air-dried and stored at - 20 °C. Picloram was extracted by HPLC/UV-Vis detector. Half-life of this herbicide was calculated using kinetics models. The mere presence of roots in treatment with signalgrass cutoff did not reduce the concentrations of this herbicide, except when the emergence of new leaves occurred. The absence of B. brizantha cultivation in areas with application of picloram increases the risk of environmental contamination and successive crops due to the half-life of this herbicide. Brachiaria brizantha reduced half-life picloram and environmental risk in pastures. The validation method is suitable for determining picloram in low concentrations in soil.

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.

Produtividade e teor de nutrientes do milho em consórcio com braquiária / Nutritional efficiency of maize in intercropping with signalgrass

Nos cultivos consorciados, a competição entre as espécies pelos recursos do meio pode inviabilizar o sistema. A intensidade da interferência de uma espécie sobre a outra, resultante dessa competição, depende da densidade populacional das espécies componentes do sistema. Na busca de melhor entendimento desses efeitos, avaliaram-se os efeitos de densidades de U. brizantha sobre o crescimento da forrageira e a eficiência nutricional e produtividade do milho em sistema consorciado. Os tratamentos foram casualizados em blocos com quatro repetições. O milho DHB 390 RR foi semeado no espaçamento de 0,50m e na população de 60000 plantas ha-1, sendo o plantio da braquiária realizado manualmente na linha de plantio. As avaliações nutricionais foram realizadas aos 60 dias após o plantio das espécies (DAP) e a produtividade de grãos do milho e a matéria seca da braquiária foi mensurada aos 160 DAP. A matéria seca da braquiária apresentou comportamento quadrático com o aumento da densidade de plantio. O aumento da densidade da U. brizantha resultou em redução linear dos teores de nitrogênio, fósforo, cálcio e magnésio em plantas de milho, no entanto, sem alterar os teores de potássio e enxofre. A produtividade de grãos foi afetada negativamente em densidade de braquiária superior a 15 plantas m-2. Conclui-se que a interferência da U. brizantha sobre o milho, em plantio simultâneo, reduz os teores de fósforo, cálcio e magnésio, independente da densidade de plantas. A produtividade de grãos e o teor de nitrogênio foram reduzidos em densidades de braquiária superiores a 15 plantas m-2 .

In intercropping competition among species for environmental resources can cripple the system. The amount of interference of one species over another as a result of this competition depends on the species population density which composed the system. In the search for better understanding these effects it was evaluated the effects of U. brizantha densities on forage growth and nutritional efficiency and productivity of maize in intercropping system. The treatments were randomized in blocks with four replications. The DHB 390 RR corn was sown at a spacing of 0.50m in the population of 60.000 plants ha-1, with the planting of brachiaria performed manually in rows. Nutritional assessments were performed at 60 after planting the species (DAP) and grain yield of maize and dry weight was measured for brachiaria 160 DAP. The dry matter brachiaria presented quadractricaly behaviour with the increasing planting density. The increased density of U. brizantha resulted in a linear reduction of the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium in maize plants, however, without changing the levels of potassium and sulfur. Grain yield was negatively affected in density of more than 15 plants m-2 brachiaria. It is concluded that the interference of U. brizantha on corn planting simultaneously, reduces the levels of phosphorus, calcium and magnesium independent of density. Grain yield and total nitrogen were reduced by brachiaria densities higher than 15 plants m-2 .

Efeito da competição de plantas daninhas na cultura do feijoeiro / Effect of weed competition in bean

Foram realizados dois ensaios com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da interferência de Brachiaria plantaginea (Link) Hitchc. , Amaranthus hybridus L. e Bidens pilosa L., bem como, a interferência do feijoeiro sobre o crescimento dessas plantas daninhas, além do efeito da mistura herbicida, fomesafen+fluazifop-p-butyl, sobre o desenvolvimento do feijoeiro. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em casa de vegetação, em vasos de 15 dm³, utilizandose o delineamento em blocos casualizados. No primeiro experimento avaliou-se a interferência das plantas daninhas e o efeito da mistura herbicida sobre a cultura, já no segundo avaliou o efeito da interferência do feijoeiro no desenvolvimento das três espécies de plantas daninhas. A competição do feijoeiro com as plantas daninhas ocasionou efeitos negativos no crescimento da cultura, assim como, reduziu o crescimento das plantas infestantes. B. plantaginea e B. pilosa foram às espécies daninhas que mais acarretaram efeito negativo no crescimento da cultura. Todas as plantas infestantes tiveram o seu crescimento afetado negativamente quando em convivência com a cultura. A mistura herbicida ocasionou redução no crescimento radicular da cultura, podendo se refletir em futuras perdas de rendimento em condição de déficit hídrico ou escassez de nutrientes.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of interference Brachiaria plantaginea, Bidens pilosa and Amaranthus hybridus in the growth of bean plants, as well as the interference of bean on the growth of these weeds, plus the effect of the herbicide mixture, fomesafen + fluazifop-p-butyl, on the development of bean. The experiments were conducted in a greenhouse in pots of 15 dm ³, using a randomized block design. The first experiment evaluated the effect of weed and the effect of the herbicide mixture on the culture, in the second evaluated the effect of interference of bean in the development of three weed species. The bean competition with weeds caused negative effects on crop growth as well as reduced the growth of weeds. B. plantaginea and B. pilosa were the weeds that have resulted in more negative effect on crop growth. All weeds had negative affected growth of the culture. The herbicide mixture caused reduction in root growth of culture; this fact may be reflected in future income losses in water stress conditions or lack of nutrients.

Características fisiológicas de feijoeiro em competição com plantas daninhas / Physiological characteristics of beans in competition with weed

A competição das plantas daninhas com as culturas reduz o fornecimento de alguns recursos para as espécies, ocasionando deficiências que culminam em alterações nas características fisiológicas relacionadas à fotossíntese, como a deficiência hídrica e nutricional e a baixa qualidade ou quantidade de luminosidade. Assim, objetivou-se com o presente trabalho avaliar o efeito da competição e do manejo de plantas daninhas nas características fisiológicas de plantas de feijoeiro. Utilizou-se delineamento em blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram: plantas de feijoeiro submetidas à aplicação da mistura de herbicidas fomesafen+fluazifop-p-butyl (Robust®), cultivadas isoladamente e em competição com capim-marmelada (Brachiaria plantaginea), caruru (Amaranthus hybridus) e picão-preto (Bidens pilosa). As plantas de picão-preto foram as que mais afetam as características fisiológicas do feijoeiro, influenciando negativamente o consumo de CO2, a transpiração, a condutância estomática e principalmente a taxa fotossintética. Estes resultados podem estar relacionados ao fato dessa espécie daninha ser altamente eficiente no uso da água. A mistura de herbicidas fomesafen+fluazifop-p-butyl reduziu a taxa fotossintética do feijoeiro.

The weed competition with crops leads to lower supply of some resources for the species, causing deficiencies that culminate in changes in physiological characteristics related to photosynthesis, such as water deficiency and low nutritional quality or quantity of light. So aim with this study was to evaluate the effect of weed competition and management on physiological characteristics of bean plants. The experimental design comprised randomized blocks with four replications. The treatments were: bean plants subjected to the application of the herbicide mixture fomesafen + fluazifop-p-butyl (Robust ®), grown in isolation, in competition with alexandergrass (Brachiaria plantaginea), pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus) and beggar-ticks (Bidens pilosa). The plants are beggartick that most affect the physiological characteristics of bean, negatively influencing the consumption of CO2, transpiration, stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rate mainly for these results may be related to this photo weed be highly efficient water use. The herbicides mixture fomesafen + fluazifop-p-butyl reduced the photosynthetic rate of the bean plants.

Época de emergência de azevém e nabo sobre a habilidade competitiva da cultura da cevada / Time of emergency of ryegrass and wild radish on the competitive ability of barley crop

Objetivou-se com o trabalho avaliar os efeitos de épocas de emergência das plantas daninhas, azevém e nabo, sobre a cultura da cevada. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento de blocos casualizados, arranjado em esquema fatorial 2x5, com três repetições. No fator A, foram alocadas as plantas competidoras (azevém e nabo) e no B as épocas de emergência (14 e 07 dias antes, no mesmo dia, 07 e 14 dias depois da emergência da cultura). No início da floração da cevada, foram mensuradas as variáveis: estatura das plantas, número de colmos ou caules, área foliar e matéria seca da parte aérea da cultura e das plantas daninhas. Todas as variáveis avaliadas da cevada apresentaram aumento de valor com o atraso da emergência das plantas daninhas. As espécies, cultivada ou daninhas, que emergiram antes, apresentaram maior habilidade competitiva, dominando o ambiente quando emergiram 14 dias antes uma da outra. Quanto mais tarde ocorrer a emergência das plantas daninhas com relação à cultura, menor é a interferência e, desse modo, maior é a habilidade da cevada em competir com a espécie daninha pelos recursos disponíveis no meio.

The objective was to evaluate the effects of times of emergence of the weed ryegrass species and wild radish on barley. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, arranged in a 2x5 factorial design, with three replicates. In factor A were allocated the competing species (ryegrass and wild radish) and in factor B the emergence periods (14 and 7 days before, on the same day, 7 and 14 days after crop emergence). At the beginning of barley flowering, the following variables were quantified: plant height, number of stalks or stems, leaf area, and shoot dry mass of crop and weeds. All barley variables had increased in value with the delay in weed emergence. The species, cultivated or weeds, that emerged earlier showed greater competitive ability, dominating the environment when emerging 14 days before each other. The later the emergence of weeds with respect to the crop, the less the interference they cause, and, thereby, the crop presents a greater ability to compete with the weeds for available resources in the environment.

Efeitos de herbicidas na atividade da microbiota rizosférica e no crescimento da cana-de-açùcar / Herbicide effects on the atividadade rhizospheric microbial and growth of sugar cane

Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar os efeitos de herbicidas na atividade da microbiota rizosférica e no crescimento da cana-de-açúcar. Para isso, sete herbicidas (tembotrione, MSMA, diuron+hexazinone, sulfentrazone, trifloxysulfuron-sodiun, tebuthiuron e clomazone) foram aplicados em pós-emergência da cana-de-açúcar cultivada em vaso contendo 12 dm3 de substrato (solo + fertilizantes). Foram avaliados os efeitos desses produtos na evolução do CO2 do solo (C-CO2), no carbono da biomassa microbiana (CBM), no quociente metabólico (qCO2), na atividade da enzima fosfomonoesterase ácida do solo rizosférico em amostras de solo coletadas aos 44 dias após aplicação dos herbicidas (DAT) e os efeitos no crescimento aos 77 DAT. Inicialmente os herbicidas MSMA, clomazone, sulfentrazone e trifloxysulfuron-sodium causaram intoxicação à cultura. Todavia, apenas nas plantas tratadas com o trifloxysulfuron-sodium esses sintomas permaneceram visíveis no momento da colheita do experimento. Quanto aos efeitos dos herbicidas sobre a atividade da microbiota rizoférica da cana-de-açúcar, o sulfentrazone e tebuthiuron reduziram a C-CO2 e o MSMA, tebuthiuron e clomazone reduziram o CBM do solo. O clomazone foi o herbicida que causou o maior impacto na atividade da microbiota, pois aumentou o valor do qCO2. Por outro lado, o sulfentrazone reduziu os valores dessa variável, contribuindo para o equilíbrio da microbiota no solo. Não houve influência dos herbicidas na atividade da fosfomonoesterase ácida do solo rizosférica da cana-de-açúcar.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of herbicides used in their recommended doses, on the activity of the microbiota and sugar cane growth. For this, seven herbicides (tembotrione, MSMA, hexazinone + diuron, sulfentrazone, trifloxysulfuron-sodiun, and tebuthiuron cloamzone) were applied in pots containing 12 dm3 substrate (soil + fertilizer) at 50 days after sugarcane planting. The effects of these products on the evolution of soil CO2 (CO2-C), in the microbial biomass carbon (MBC), metabolic quotient (qCO2), enzyme activity in the rhizosphere acid phosphomonoesterase in rhizosphere soil samples collected at 44 days after herbicide application (DAT) and the growth effects at 77 DAT. Initially herbicides MSMA, clomazone, sulfentrazone and trifloxysulfuron-sodium caused poisoning in culture. However, only plants treated with trifloxysulfuron-sodium, these symptoms remained visible at harvest of the experiment. The effects of herbicides on microbial activity rizoferica of sugar cane, sulfentrazone and tebuthiuron reduced CO2-C and MSMA herbicide clomazone and reduced the CBM soil. The herbicide clomazone was that caused the greatest impact on microbial activity because of the increased value qCO2. Moreover, the sulfentrazone reduced values of that variable, contributing to the balance of microflora in the soil. No influence of herbicides on the activity of acid phosphomonoesterase rhizospheric on the sugarcane soil.

Meia-vida do diuron em solos com diferentes atributos físicos e químicos / Half - life of diuron in soils with different physical and chemical attributes

A distribuição e a dissipação dos herbicidas nos solos são processos dinâmicos e únicos para cada relação solo-herbicida. Neste trabalho, a meia-vida do diuron foi determinada em cinco solos (Latossolo Vermelho Amarelo, Latossolo Vermelho e Latossolo Amarelo), com diferentes valores de pH. As concentrações do diuron foram determinadas em amostras dos referidos solos coletadas em oito épocas (1, 8, 15, 22, 36, 66, 96 e 156 dias após a aplicação do herbicida na dose 3,0kg ha-1). Em uma parte dessas amostras, foi feita a quantificação do diuron por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência e, na outra parte, os testes biológicos, visando à confirmação dos resultados das análises cromatográficas. Constatou-se que a persistência do diuron é dependente dos atributos físicos e químicos dos solos. Todavia, a correção do pH do solo favoreceu apenas a degradação do herbicida em solos arenosos com baixo teor de matéria orgânica. A meia-vida do diuron nos solos estudados variou de 40 a 91 após a sua aplicação, sendo maior no solo com maior teor de matéria orgânica. Esses resultados foram confirmados pelos testes biológicos que se mostraram eficientes e complementares às análises cromatográficas.

The distribution and dissipation of herbicides on soils are dynamic and unique processes for each soil-herbicide relation. In this research, the half-life of diuron was determined in five soils (Red-Yellow Latosol, Red Latosol, and Yellow Latosol), with different pH values. Diuron concentrations were determined in samples of each soil collected at eight different times (1, 8, 15, 22, 36, 66, 96 and 156 days after herbicide application at 3.0kg ha-1). Part of each soil sample was used to quantify diuron by high performance liquid chromatography. The other part of soil sample was used to do biological tests in order to confirm the results of chromatographic analysis. It was found that the persistence of diuron is dependent on the physical and chemical soil attributes. However, the correction of soil pH favored only herbicide degradation in sandy soils with low organic matter content. The half-life of diuron in soils ranged from 40 to 91 after its application and it was higher in soil with higher organic matter content. The biological tests confirmed these results and they were efficient and complementary to the chromatographic analysis.