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Role of temperature on isoproturon bioaccumulation and effects on two freshwater rooted macrophytes: Elodea densa and Ludwigia natans.

The effects of temperature on the bioaccumulation of the phenylurea herbicide isoproturon (IPU) and on the growth inhibition induced on two freshwater rooted macrophytes--Elodea densa and Ludwigia natans--were investigated using indoor microcosms. The experimental protocol was based on five temperatures (12, 16, 20, 24, and 28 degrees C) and two contamination levels of the water column (30 and 60 micrograms IPU.liter-1), plus a control condition. Variations in temperature had little effect on the decrease in [IPU] in the water column during the 21-day experiment. The IPU concentration in the two macrophyte species was not significantly modified by the large range of temperatures when results were expressed using the concentration criterion. IPU burdens in the E. densa cuttings, on the other hand, increased significantly when the temperature rose from 12 to 28 degrees C; small differences were observed between the two exposure conditions, in relation to the antagonistic effects of IPU and temperature on the growth of the cuttings. Bioconcentration factors in the plants (stems + leaves) were close to 10 and 13 after exposure to 30 and 60 micrograms IPU.liter-1, respectively.

Anaerobiosis↗

Isolation from agricultural soil and characterization of a Sphingomonas sp. able to mineralize the phenylurea herbicide isoproturon.

A soil bacterium (designated strain SRS2) able to metabolize the phenylurea herbicide isoproturon, 3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (IPU), was isolated from a previously IPU-treated agricultural soil. Based on a partial analysis of the 16S rRNA gene and the cellular fatty acids, the strain was identified as a Sphingomonas sp. within the alpha-subdivision of the proteobacteria. Strain SRS2 was able to mineralize IPU when provided as a source of carbon, nitrogen, and energy. Supplementing the medium with a mixture of amino acids considerably enhanced IPU mineralization. Mineralization of IPU was accompanied by transient accumulation of the metabolites 3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-1-methylurea, 3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-urea, and 4-isopropyl-aniline identified by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis, thus indicating a metabolic pathway initiated by two successive N-demethylations, followed by cleavage of the urea side chain and finally by mineralization of the phenyl structure. Strain SRS2 also transformed the dimethylurea-substituted herbicides diuron and chlorotoluron, giving rise to as-yet-unidentified products. In addition, no degradation of the methoxy-methylurea-substituted herbicide linuron was observed. This report is the first characterization of a pure bacterial culture able to mineralize IPU.

Agriculture↗

Biodegradation of the phenylurea herbicide isoproturon and its metabolites in agricultural soils.

Degradation of the phenylurea herbicide isoproturon (3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea) and several phenylurea and aniline metabolites was studied in agricultural soils previously exposed to isoproturon. The potential for degradation of the demethylated metabolite 3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-1-methylurea in the soils was much higher compared to isoproturon. In the most active soil only 6% of added 14C-labelled isoproturon was mineralised to 14CO2 within 20 days while in the same period 45% of added 14C-labelled 3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-1-methylurea was mineralized. This indicates that the initial N-demethylation may be a limiting step in the complete mineralization of isoproturon. Repeated addition of 3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-1-methylurea to the soil and further subculturing in mineral medium led to a highly enriched mixed bacterial culture with the ability to mineralize 3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-1-methylurea. The culture did not degrade either isoproturon or the didemethylated metabolite 3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-urea when provided as sole source of carbon and energy. The metabolite 4-isopropyl-aniline was also degraded and utilised for growth, thus indicating that 3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-1-methylurea is degraded by an initial cleavage of the methylurea-group followed by mineralization of the phenyl-moiety. Several attempts were made to isolate pure bacterial cultures degrading 3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-1-methylurea or 4-isopropyl-aniline, but they were not successful.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

Effect of isoproturon pretreatment on the biochemical toxicodynamics of anilofos in male rats.

Anilofos and isoproturon are important herbicides of organophosphorus and substituted phenylurea groups, respectively. Isoproturon is an inducer of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes. Animals and humans have the potential to be exposed to the mixture of these intentionally introduced environmental xenobiotics, but toxicological interactions between these herbicides are not known. Effects of isoproturon pretreatment (675 mg/kg/day for 3 consecutive days) on the toxic actions of anilofos administered orally as a single dose (850 mg/kg) were evaluated by determining some biochemical attributes in blood (erythrocyte/plasma), brain and liver of rats. Anilofos or isoproturon alone or in combination failed to produce any noticeable signs of cholinergic hyperactivity and behavioural alterations. Isoproturon did not potentiate the anticholinesterase action of anilofos in blood and liver. Inhibition of brain acetylcholinesterase was significantly protected. No significant alteration in anilofos-mediated production of lipid peroxidation was observed in erythrocyte and brain of isoproturon-pretreated rats, but it was significantly increased in liver. Anilofos did not affect GSH and GST. The isoproturon-mediated increase in GSH levels of brain (threefold) and liver (3.6-fold) was also not affected following combined administration. GST activity was increased in liver of rats given isoproturon alone (fourfold) or in combination with anilofos (2.8-fold). Activities of total ATPase, Mg2+-ATPase and Na+-K+-ATPase were not affected in rats given either anilofos alone or herbicides in sequence. With these treatments, there were no alterations in the protein content of plasma, brain and liver. Overall findings of the study indicate that isoproturon pretreatment does not alter the toxicity of anilofos, the GSH-GST metabolic pathway may not have a significant implication in the detoxification of anilofos and the production of a reactive oxygen species may be a factor in mediating anilofos toxicity.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Effect of cropping cycles and repeated herbicide applications on the degradation of diclofop-methyl, bentazone, diuron, isoproturon and pendimethalin in soil.

A greenhouse study was conducted to investigate the ability of four crops (wheat, corn, oilseed rape and soybean) to influence the degradation of bentazone, diclofop-methyl, diuron, isoproturon and pendimethalin in soil. The present study showed that microbial biomass-carbon was significantly higher in planted soils than in bulk soil, especially with wheat and corn, after several cropping cycles. The biomass in corn and soybean planted soils was adversely affected by bentazone but recovered after three cropping cycles. In wheat-planted soils, diclofop-methyl application resulted in persistent increase of the amount of microbial biomass. Bentazone did not show accelerated degradation even after five successive treatments, differing from diclofop-methyl, for which two applications were sufficient to enhance significantly its rate of degradation. Enhanced degradation of diclofop-methyl was even more pronounced in wheat-planted soil. The rates of mineralisation of diuron, isoproturon and pendimethalin were not affected after the first cropping cycle, but were significantly increased in planted soils after five cropping cycles. The results confirm that plants may promote pesticide degradation in soil by stimulating biodegradation processes. In the case of diclofop-methyl, stimulation of accelerated degradation was observed.

Agriculture↗

Iron(III) photo-induced degradation of isoproturon: correlation between degradation and toxicity.

The degradation of isoproturon photoinduced by Fe(III) was investigated under both artificial and solar light. The monomeric species Fe(OH)2+ present under the experimental conditions ([Fe(III)] = 3 x 10(-4) M) is the main Fe(III) species responsible for the degradation of isoproturon. The process involves the attack on the pollutant by OH radicals generated by irradiation of Fe(OH)2+. The major primary photoproducts were identified; they accumulate in the solution medium before being degraded. The toxicity of the solution to marine bacterium Vibrio fisheri (Beijerinck) Lehmann & Neumann was monitored during the degradation process. It increased in the early stages of the reaction and, among the photoproducts, the N-formyl derivative appeared to be the major product responsible for the increase in toxicity.

Ferric Compounds↗

Persistence and residual activity of an organophosphate, pirimiphos-methyl, and three IGRs, hexaflumuron, teflubenzuron and pyriproxyfen, against the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae).

Three insect growth regulators (IGR), the chitin synthesis inhibitors (CSI) teflubenzuron and hexaflumuron and the juvenile hormone mimic (JHM) pyriproxyfen, as well as the organophosphate (OP) pirimiphos-methyl, were evaluated for their activity against the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (F), in cowpea seeds stored for up to 8 months post-treatment. The initial activity data showed that, based on LC50 level, teflubenzuron had strong ovicidal activity (LC50 = 0.056 mg kg(-1)) followed by pirimiphos-methyl (1.82 mg kg(-1)) and pyriproxyfen (91.9 mg kg(-1)). The residual activity data showed that none of the IGRs tested had strong activity when applied at 200 mg kg(-1) in reducing the oviposition rates of C maculatus at various storage intervals up to 8 months post-treatment. However, teflubenzuron reduced adult emergence (F1 progeny), achieving control ranging from 96.2% at 1 month to 94.3% at 8 months. Hexaflumuron showed a similar trend in its residual activity, ranging between 93.8% control at 1 month to 88.2% control at 8 months post-treatment. However, pyriproxyfen was more active than the CSIs tested and caused complete suppression (100% control) of adult emergence at all storage intervals. Unlike the IGRs tested, pirimiphos-methyl applied at 25 mg kg(-1) was more effective in reducing oviposition rates of C maculatus up to 8 months post-treatment. A strong reduction of adult emergence was also observed at various bimonthly intervals (98.6% control at 1 month to 91.6% control at 8 months post-treatment). The persistence of hexaflumuron and pirimiphos-methyl in cowpea seeds was also studied over a period of 8 months. The loss of hexaflumuron residue in treated cowpeas (200 mg kg(-1)) was very slow during the first month post-treatment (4.43%). At the end of 8 months, the residue level had declined significantly to 46.4% of the initial applied rate. The loss of pirimiphos-methyl residue in treated cowpeas (25 mg kg(-1)) was relatively high during the first month post-treatment (36.7%) and increased to 81.6% after 8 months.

Animals↗

Micropropagation of mature wych elm (Ulmus glabra Huds.).

Explants of mature vigorous donor trees of wych elm ( Ulmus glabra Huds.) that had not been previously exposed to Dutch elm disease were investigated for the influence of phytohormones and media on shoot multiplication rates and organogenic capacity. The regenerates were micropropagated from cultures that originated from 15-year-old progeny of plus trees. Two plus trees aged over 70 years showed recalcitrant responses. Thidiazuron in combination with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) induced a significantly higher number of shoots per explant than the most optimal BAP treatment (5.88 vs. 3.05 shoots). Woody plant medium and Dubovský minimal medium had no significant effects on shoot formation and multiplication rates. All plantlets raised in vitro were phenotypically normal and successfully hardened to ex vitro conditions. Two experimental field plots with 3-year-old in vitro-propagated trees were established.

Adenine↗

Peroxidase and catalase activities are involved in direct adventitious shoot formation induced by thidiazuron in eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) zygotic embryos.

We reported establishment of an efficient plant regeneration procedure through direct adventitious shoot (DAS) formation from cotyledons and hypocotyls of eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) mature embryos in this investigation. Multiple DASs were initiated from cotyledons of embryos on PS medium containing N6-benzyladenine (BA), thidiazuron (TDZ), or kinetin (KIN). Among different concentrations of casein enzymatic hydrosylate (CH) and glutamine used in this study, 500 mg l(-1) CH or 600 mg l(-1) glutamine induced the highest frequency of DAS formation. Rooting of regenerated shoots was obtained on PS medium supplemented with 0.01-0.1 microM indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) with the highest frequency on medium containing 0.01 muM IAA. No DASs were obtained on medium without TDZ. Measurement of peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activity during direct shoot induction and differentiation demonstrated that the lowest POD activity appeared in the 5-6th week of culture and lowest CAT activity occurred in the 7-8th week of culture on medium with TDZ. No such a change in POD and CAT activities was observed on medium without TDZ. These results demonstrated that POD and CAT activities were involved in DAS formation induced by TDZ in eastern white pine.

Benzyl Compounds↗

Interactions between nematophagous fungi and consequences for their potential as biological agents for the control of potato cyst nematodes.

The efficacies of three nematophagous fungi, Paecilomyces lilacinus, Plectosphaerella cucumerina and Pochonia chlamydosporia, for controlling potato cyst nematodes (PCN) as part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) regime were studied. The compatibility of the nematophagous fungi with commonly used chemical pesticides and their ability to compete with the soil fungi Rhizoctonia solani, Chaetomium globosum, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium bilaii and Trichoderma harzianum were tested in vitro. Paecilomyces lilacinus was the most successful competitor when the ability to grow and inhibit growth of an opposing colony at both 10 and 20 degrees C was considered. P. lilacinus also showed potential for control of the soil-borne fungal pathogen R. solani, releasing a diffusable substance in vitro which inhibited its growth and caused morphological abnormalities in its hyphae. Pochonia chlamydosporia was least susceptible to growth inhibition by other fungi at 20 degrees in vitro, but the isolate tested did not grow at 10 degrees. Plectosphaerella cucumerina was a poor saprophytic competitor. Radial growth of Paecilomyces lilacinus and Plectosphaerella cucumerina was slowed, but not prevented, when grown on potato dextrose agar incorporating the fungicides fenpiclonil and tolclofos-methyl, and was not inhibited by the addition of pencycuron or the nematicide oxamyl. Radial growth of Pochonia chlamydosporia was partially inhibited by all the chemical pesticides tested. The efficacy of Paecilomyces lilacinus as a control agent for R. solani was further investigated in situ. Treatment with P. lilacinus significantly reduced the symptoms of Rhizoctonia disease on potato stems in a pot trial. The effectiveness of P. lilacinus and P. cucumerina against PCN was also tested in situ. Three application methods were compared; incorporating the fungi into alginate pellets, Terra-Green inoculated with the fungi and applying conidia directly to the tubers. Both formulations containing P. lilacinus and formulation mixtures alone, particularly alginate pellets, significantly reduced multiplication of PCN in soil. We conclude that P. lilacinus showed the greatest potential for use in combination with selected fungicides and nematicides as part of an IPM programme for the control of PCN, but further work is required to confirm whether it is effective against PCN in soil.

Animals↗

In-field spatial variability in the degradation of the phenyl-urea herbicide isoproturon is the result of interactions between degradative Sphingomonas spp. and soil pH.

Substantial spatial variability in the degradation rate of the phenyl-urea herbicide isoproturon (IPU) [3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea] has been shown to occur within agricultural fields, with implications for the longevity of the compound in the soil, and its movement to ground- and surface water. The microbial mechanisms underlying such spatial variability in degradation rate were investigated at Deep Slade field in Warwickshire, United Kingdom. Most-probable-number analysis showed that rapid degradation of IPU was associated with proliferation of IPU-degrading organisms. Slow degradation of IPU was linked to either a delay in the proliferation of IPU-degrading organisms or apparent cometabolic degradation. Using enrichment techniques, an IPU-degrading bacterial culture (designated strain F35) was isolated from fast-degrading soil, and partial 16S rRNA sequencing placed it within the Sphingomonas group. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of PCR-amplified bacterial community 16S rRNA revealed two bands that increased in intensity in soil during growth-linked metabolism of IPU, and sequencing of the excised bands showed high sequence homology to the Sphingomonas group. However, while F35 was not closely related to either DGGE band, one of the DGGE bands showed 100% partial 16S rRNA sequence homology to an IPU-degrading Sphingomonas sp. (strain SRS2) isolated from Deep Slade field in an earlier study. Experiments with strains SRS2 and F35 in soil and liquid culture showed that the isolates had a narrow pH optimum (7 to 7.5) for metabolism of IPU. The pH requirements of IPU-degrading strains of Sphingomonas spp. could largely account for the spatial variation of IPU degradation rates across the field.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

Soil surface structure effect on isoproturon and diflufenican loss in runoff.

Because soil surface structure has a considerable influence on infiltration rate, the sealing process is postulated to have a significant effect on herbicide loss through runoff. We evaluated the effect of degraded soil surface structures on herbicide loss in runoff, and used the experimental data to test the uniform mixing zone concept and two-site sorption kinetics for modeling herbicide transfer to runoff. The experiments were done with simulated rainfall on 10-m2 plots in the field and 0.25-m2 plots in the laboratory after a surface application of 1.5 kg ha(-1) of isoproturon [3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea] and 0.187 kg ha(-1) of diflufenican [2',4'-difluoro-2-(alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluoro-m-tolyloxy) nicotinanilide]. Isoproturon (IPU) and diflufenican (DFF) concentrations were very high in the first runoff (up to 60 mg L(-1) for IPU and 2 mg L(-1) for DFF) when simulated rainfall was applied 24 h after the treatment. The concentrations decreased very rapidly with total rainfall depth. Degradation of the structural state of the soil surface increased the ratio of pesticide loss to application rate from 0.3 to 10% for IPU and from 0.7 to 7.8% for DFF for a runoff depth of less than 1 mm. The structural state of the soil surface influences the rapidity at which runoff begins after the onset of rain, and the runoff coefficient at steady state. Furthermore, the development of a surface seal seems to limit the depth of soil-runoff interaction and thus influences the dynamics of herbicide mobilization. Concentrations of IPU in the runoff were satisfactorily described with a model incorporating a uniform mixing zone and two-site sorption-desorption.

Forecasting↗

Evaluation of cytogenetic effects of isoproturon on the root meristem cells of Allium sativum.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the use of Allium sativum as a reliable test model for genotoxicity, isoproturon, a substituted phenylalkylurea herbicide, was evaluated on the root meristem cells by this plant system. METHOD: Test concentrations were selected by determining EC50 and root tips were exposed to various concentrations for 6 or 24 hr. EC50 concentration was calculated to be 70. 8 ppm for the root growth. In addition to root growth retardation exposure to isoproturon induced morphological changes like discolouration and stiffness of roots. RESULTS: Exposure to various experimental concentrations of isoproturon (35-280 ppm), including EC50, significantly and dose-dependently inhibited the mitotic index and induced chromosome breaks/mitotic aberrations at 6 or 24 hr. CONCLUSION: The frequency of aberrations was found to be decreased in a dose dependent manner at 24 or 48 hr post exposure, however in comparison of control cells the frequency of aberrations was considerably high which indicates genotoxicity potentials of isoproturon. Further, present study also suggests that Allium sativum is a sensitive, efficient, and reliable test system for measuring the genotoxicity potential of environmental chemicals.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

Fate and sublethal effects of isoproturon on mature earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris L.).

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of isoproturon in mature earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris L.) under laboratory condition. Earthworms were exposed to soils contaminated with different concentrations for various duration. Residues were monitored in soil and earthworms after 7, 15, 30, 45, and 60 days of exposure to different isoproturon concentrations. Acute toxicity of isoproturon was determined together with growth rate and total soluble protein content of worms. These parameters were related to isoproturon concentration in soil and earthworms. No lethal effect of isoproturon was observed even at the highest concentration tested (1.4 g/kg soil) after 60 days after treatment. Residues of isoproturon have caused a significant reduction of the growth rate. Additionally a reduction of total soluble protein was observed in all treated worms. Decrease of isoproturon concentration in soil was slow and depended on herbicide initial concentration. In the worms, it increased during the first 15 days and decreased thereafter. This study is suggesting the use of the growth rate of earthworms as biomarker of exposure to isoproturon.

Animals↗

Resistance to ACCase-inhibiting herbicides and isoproturon in UK populations of Lolium multiflorum: mechanisms of resistance and implications for control.

Herbicide-resistant Lolium multiflorum (Italian rye-grass) was first reported in the UK in 1993 and had been confirmed on 25 farms by 1999. In this study, resistance to five herbicides belonging to the aryloxyphenoxypropionate, cyclohexanedione and phenyl-urea classes was determined in six populations of L multiflorum from the UK under glasshouse and simulated field conditions. Glasshouse conditions tended to exaggerate the degree of resistance, but experiments performed in both environments detected resistance in four populations of L multiflorum. Four populations (Essex A1, Lincs A1, Wilts B1, Yorks A2) were resistant to diclofop-methyl, fluazifop-P-butyl, tralkoxydim and partially resistant to isoproturon, but only the population from Yorkshire (Yorks A2) showed resistance to cycloxydim. Biochemical analyses of acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase) activity, oxygen consumption by thylakoids, diclofop metabolism and glutathione S-transferase activity showed that, in three of the resistant populations, an enhanced rate of herbicide metabolism conferred resistance. This is the first report world-wide of an enhanced metabolism mechanism of diclofop resistance in L multiflorum. In the Yorks A2 population, an insensitive ACCase was detected (target-site resistance) which also conferred cross-resistance to all of the other ACCase inhibitors investigated.

Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase↗