Influence of biotic and abiotic factors on dissipating metalaxyl in soil.

Under laboratory condition, dissipation of metalaxyl in sterile and non-sterile soils, its sorption behaviour and fate in presence of light have been studied. The half-life value of metalaxyl was found in the range of 36-73 d in non-sterile soil. 5.3-14.7% dissipation was observed due to abiotic factors other than light. Metalaxyl was found photostable in soil showing half-life of 188- 502 h under simulated sunlight. In adsorption study, a non-linear relationship between concentration of metalaxyl and its adsorption into soils was observed. Estimated koc value increased as organic carbon content decreased. Adsorption and desorption kD values ranged between 53.5 and 151.1.

Persistence, fate, and metabolism of [(14)C]metalaxyl in typical Indian soils.

The biodegradation of ring-labeled [(14)C]metalaxyl in six Indian soils was examined. The total recovery of radioactivity from soil was 100 +/- 6% of the applied radioactivity. Volatile organics and (14)CO(2) were detected at lower levels. This suggests that neither mineralization nor volatilization is a major route of metalaxyl dissipation. The most rapid degradation of metalaxyl was observed in Bannimantap soil, in which the half-life of metalaxyl was 36 days. An inverse relationship was found when half-lives were plotted against microbial biomass and soil clay content. However, soil total organic carbon did not correlate with metalaxyl persistence. Five metabolites detected by thin-layer chromatography were more polar than metalaxyl.

Metalaxyl: persistence, degradation, metabolism, and analytical methods.

Metalaxyl is a systemic fungicide used to control plant diseases caused by Oomycete fungi. Its formulations include granules, wettable powders, dusts, and emulsifiable concentrates. Application may be by foliar or soil incorporation, surface spraying (broadcast or band), drenching, and seed treatment. Metalaxyl registered products either contain metalaxyl as the sole active ingredient or are combined with other active ingredients (e.g., captan, mancozeb, copper compounds, carboxin). Due to its broad-spectrum activity, metalaxyl is used world-wide on a variety of fruit and vegetable crops. Its effectiveness results from inhibition of uridine incorporation into RNA and specific inhibition of RNA polymerase-1. Metalaxyl has both curative and systemic properties. Its mammalian toxicity is classified as EPA toxicity class III and it is also relatively non-toxic to most nontarget arthropod and vertebrate species. Adequate analytical methods of TLC, GLC, HPLC, MS, and other techniques are available for identification and determination of metalaxyl residues and its metabolites. Available laboratory and field studies indicate that metalaxyl is stable to hydrolysis under normal environmental pH values, It is also photolytically stable in water and soil when exposed to natural sunlight. Its tolerance to a wide range of pH, light, and temperature leads to its continued use in agriculture. Metalaxyl is photodecomposed in UV light, and photoproducts are formed by rearrangement of the N-acyl group to the aromatic ring, demethoxylation, N-deacylation, and elimination of the methoxycarbonyl group from the molecule. Photosensitizers such as humic acid, TiO2, H2O2, acetone, and riboflavin accelerate its photodecomposition. Information is provided on the fate of metalaxyl in plant, soil, water, and animals. Major metabolic routes include hydrolysis of the methyl ester and methyl ether oxidation of the ring-methyl groups. The latter are precursors of conjugates in plants and animals. In soils the most relevant metabolite is the metalaxyl acid, which is formed predominantly by soil microorganisms. Plant uptake, microbial degradation, photodecomposition, and leaching are the major route of metalaxyl dissipation. It has a tendency to migrate to deeper soil horizons with a potential to contaminate groundwater, particularly in soils with low organic matter and clay content. Therefore, precautions should be taken for the continuous application of metalaxyl to crops. If use of metalaxyl is greately increased, the risk of occurrence in groundwater must be reassessed, as by monitoring studies in the most vulnerable areas in main use regions. The R-isomer of metalaxyl (mefenoxam) has recently been registered as the only active compound. Therefore, quantitative studies on the fate of this specific isomer are needed, including appropriate analytical methods. As the use rates of mefenoxam are approximately one-half those recommended for metalaxyl and mefenoxam dissipates more rapidly, concerns for mefenoxam reaching groundwater are even less justified.

Insecticides: their effect on microorganisms and persistence in rice soil.

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of four insecticides, HCH, phorate, carbofuran and fenvalerate, at recommended doses on the preponderance of bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi. We also measured the persistence of the insecticides in the rhizosphere soil of rice. HCH and fenvalerate stimulated the proliferation of all of the microorganisms significantly. Phorate increased the population of bacteria and actinomycetes. Carbofuran accentuated the preponderance of actinomycetes in soil. Insecticides, in general, did not have marked influence on the proliferation of Bacillus, Streptomyces, Aspergillus and Fusarium in soil. However, we observed a stimulation of growth of Staphylococcus, Proteus and Sarcina with HCH, Pseudomonas, Corynebacterium, Erysipelothrix and Rhizopus with phorate, Serratia, Corynebacterium, Klebsiella, Escherichia, Rhizopus and Humicola with carbofuran, and Staphylococcus, Sarcina, Klebsiella and Nocardia with fenvalerate. On the other hand, there was an inhibition in growth of Pseudomonas, Micrococcus, Nocardia and Penicillium with HCH, of Pseudomonas, Micrococcus and Penicillium with carbofuran, and of Pseudomonas, Micrococcus and Micromonospora with fenvalerate. Different types of insecticides exhibited differential patterns of dissipation in soil. HCH had the highest persistence followed by phorate, carbofuran and fenvalerate, respectively.