Search Results (38)

Florpyrauxifen-benzyl (FPB) is an auxin-mimic herbicide that controls selected grasses, sedges, and broadleaves in rice cropping systems. Field experiments were conducted in 2023 and 2024 to characterize the effects of FPB on crop safety and weed control when applied alone or in combination with other herbicides, and to assess whether FPB can provide season-long, effective weed management. Base treatments of benzobicyclon (BBC)/halosulfuron-methyl (HSM), clomazone (CLM), or thiobencarb (TBC) were applied on the day of seeding (DOS) or within the 2-leaf stage (LS) rice and followed by foliar treatments of FPB alone or in a mixture with bispyribac-sodium (BPS), penoxsulam (PNX)/cyhalofop-butyl (CHB), or propanil (PPL). Additionally, FPB was applied alone with no prior base treatment, in combination with a mixture partner, and as a sequential treatment, 14 days apart, with the first application made to 4- to 5-LS rice; in contrast, the second application was made to mid-tillering rice. The FPB applied alone or in sequential application showed results for more than 98% of watergrasses and 100% of ricefield bulrush, smallflower umbrella sedge, ducksalad, redstems, and all other broadleaves control at 56 days after treatment (DAT). When applied after the base treatments, the weed control increased to 100% for all weed species at 14 DAT. The sequential application of FPB achieved the highest yields of 7683 kg ha⁻¹ in 2023 and 11,249 kg ha⁻¹ in 2024, resulting in 3.6- and 6.4-fold increases in rice yield over the nontreated control. Owing to its excellent sedge and broadleaf weed control and good activity on troublesome grasses, such as barnyardgrass, FPB could be an essential part of the weed management programs in rice production systems. Full article

Clomazone is a widely used herbicide in rice cultivation, known for its high toxicity to aquatic organisms and its potential to contaminate water bodies. This study investigates the medium-term effects (after four and five years) of rice management practices on the environmental fate of Clomazone under semi-arid Mediterranean conditions. The practices investigated are tillage systems, irrigation methods, and compost application. A field experiment was conducted to compare the following treatments: sprinkler irrigation combined with no tillage (S-NT), sprinkler irrigation combined with conventional tillage (S-T), flooding irrigation with conventional tillage (F-T), and each of the above with a single compost amendment (S-NTC, S-TC, and F-TC, respectively). Compost application consistently enhanced the soil’s capacity to adsorb Clomazone, regardless of the irrigation or tillage regime. However, the use of sprinkler irrigation was shown to increase Clomazone persistence, regardless of the tillage method (S-NT and S-T), which may in turn elevate the risk of groundwater contamination. Compost addition significantly reduced Clomazone leaching losses, particularly under sprinkler systems; leaching decreased from 47% to 27% in S-NT and from 48% to 36% in S-T after five years. These findings highlight that the application of compost, particularly when combined with sprinkler irrigation, could be a sustainable agricultural approach to significantly reducing the environmental risks associated with Clomazone in rice cultivation, at least in the medium term. Full article

The present study targets key limitation ‘separation after the process’ that is responsible for the loss of the photocatalyst in water treatment during heterogeneous photocatalysis. Therefore, eco-friendly nanostructured ZnO coatings were engineered by the doctor blade technique through the immobilization of green ZnO nanomaterials onto alumina substrate. ZnO/BPE 30 and ZnO/BPE 60 coatings were obtained from banana peel extract-based ZnO powder (ZnO/BPE). Likewise, ZnO/GTE 30 and ZnO/GTE 60 were prepared using green tea extract-based ZnO powder (ZnO/GTE). XRD characterization verified hexagonal wurtzite ZnO phase, while HRSEM analysis revealed that the flat surface of ZnO/BPE had rod-like nanostructures below 120 nm, and ZnO/GTE had spherical, porous nanoparticle networks with less than 70 nm. According to UV–vis spectrometry, all four coatings have bandgaps of ~5 eV. The highest efficiency for the solar-driven photocatalytic degradation of emerging organic pollutants was for ciprofloxacin (among pesticides clomazone and tembotrione; pharmaceuticals ciprofloxacin and 17α-ethinylestradiol; and mycotoxin zearalenone) in ultrapure water with the presence of all studied ZnO-based coatings, after 60 min of simulated solar irradiation. Its highest removal (89.1%) was achieved with ZnO/GTE 30, also having good reusability across three consecutive cycles in river water, thus supporting the application of eco-friendly, immobilized ZnO nanomaterials for wastewater treatment and environmental remediation. Full article

Ametryn (AMT) and clomazone (CLZ) are commonly used herbicides frequently detected in food and water, raising concerns about potential health risks. This study investigated whether AMT and CLZ impair mitochondrial bioenergetics, a key mechanism linked to hepatotoxicity. Mitochondria were isolated from rat liver and incubated with AMT or CLZ (50–200 µM) to assess respiration, membrane potential (Δψ), ATP production, and the activities of respiratory chain complexes and ATP synthase. Both herbicides significantly inhibited state 3 (ADP-stimulated) respiration with glutamate plus malate, without altering state 4 (basal) respiration. Concentrations above 100 µM reduced Δψ and ATP synthesis in glutamate plus malate or succinate-energized mitochondria. Enzymatic assays revealed inhibition of complex I by both herbicides, complex II by CLZ, and ATP synthase by both. These results highlight mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation disruption by AMT and CLZ; however, further in situ and in vivo studies are necessary to fully understand their hepatotoxic potential. Full article

A bioassay study was conducted to determine the differences in the sensitivity of selected crops to simulated clomazone residues (nine concentrations were used ranging from 5.625 to 1440 μg a.i./kg soil). White mustard was the most susceptible as measured by shoot fresh weight (SFW) and shoot dry weight (SDW) inhibition, with EC₅₀ values of 94.6 and 128.2 μg a.i./kg soil, respectively. Regarding the EC₅₀ values for the inhibition of pigment content (carotenoids, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b), sugar beet and white mustard showed a high sensitivity, as the EC₅₀ values for all three pigments were in the range of 45.8–47.4 and 57.5–63.3 μg a.i./kg soil, respectively. However, as the SFW and SDW of sugar beet were only reduced at the three highest clomazone concentrations applied, white mustard proved to be the most sensitive crop. Wheat was less sensitive (EC₅₀ = 214.4–243.8 μg a.i./kg soil, for all three pigments), while sunflower and maize were the least sensitive (EC₅₀ = 359.7–417.5 and 456.1–535.8 μg a.i./kg soil, respectively). Field trials were conducted for two years in the Srem region to study the dynamics of clomazone degradation in sandy loam soil. Clomazone was applied pre-plant incorporated (PPI) and post-emergence (POST-EM) in three doses: 480, 720 and 960 g a.i./ha. Soil samples were taken at regular intervals from the day of herbicide application until one year after application and residue concentrations were determined using the white mustard bioassay (based on the measurement of carotenoid content inhibition). The application rate had no consistent effect on the persistence of clomazone. Slower degradation was observed in the PPI treatment than in the POST-EM treatment (8.5 and 15 days longer average half-lives in the first and second year, respectively). Persistence was affected by lower rainfall, resulting in a longer half-life in the second year (12 days on average). Herbicide residues caused no visible injury to white mustard one year after application, while the reduction in carotenoid content ranged from 0.37 to 22.89%, indicating that no injury can occur to any of the tested crops one year after application of clomazone in sandy loam soil. Full article

Seed production of common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) and sweet white lupine (Lupinus albus L.) is risky due to weed infestation as few herbicides are permitted for use in crops. Our aim was to test herbicides in these crops in order to expand the list of available herbicides. Various pre- and post-emergence herbicides were tested for their phytotoxicity and weed-control activity in field cultures of the common vetch (cv. Emma) and sweet white lupine (cv. Nelly). After the application of herbicides, phytotoxicity was monitored visually. Data collection involved the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), the plant height, the number of weeds, yield, and its contamination. Additionally, 1000-seed-weight measurements were taken for lupine. Summarizing the phytotoxicity and efficacy results in common vetch, the agents S-metolachlor, flumioxazin, and clomazone can be recommended for further pre-emergence testing, while metazachlor + quinmerac, chlorotoluron, and flumioxazin can be recommended for further post-emergence testing. In sweet white lupine, pre-emergence applications of flumioxazin, pendimethalin, dimethenamid-P, pethoxamid, clomazone, metobromuron, and diflufenican were found to be effective without any significant phytotoxicity. Further post-emergence testing of flumioxazin, chlorotoluron, carfentrazone-ethyl, and diflufenican can also be recommended, as well as the application of halauxifen-methyl and sulfosulfuron at low doses (0.4 L ha⁻¹; 13.0 g ha⁻¹). Additional evaluations of these treatments are recommended, including in different soil and weather conditions. Full article

Weed management has been one of the major challenges in camelina [Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz] production owing to the limited options for selective herbicides. The aim of this study was to evaluate and screen camelina-safe herbicides and establish an effective weed management program combining pre- and post-emergence herbicide application in camelina. There were 22 herbicides (6 herbicides registered as pre- and 16 herbicides registered as post-emergence herbicides) with various modes of action tested in this study. Greenhouse evaluation showed that, of the 22 herbicides tested, post-application of s-metolachlor and prodiamine (registered as pre-emergence herbicide), and clethodim, fluazifop-p, clopyralid, and quinclorac (registered as post-emergence herbicide) possessed adequate safety (~×4 of recommended doses) when used on the two camelina genotypes (CamC1 and CamK3) by evaluation of plant visual efficacy, seed weight, and plant biomass yield per plant. Herbicides from the ALS (e.g., flumetsulam), HPPD (e.g., mesotrione), IPP (e.g., clomazone), PPO (e.g., oxyfluorfen), and PS II (e.g., bentazon) groups caused severe camelina growth suppression and mortality. Field evaluation with greenhouse-selected herbicides demonstrated the superior weed control efficacy of sequential application combining pre- (s-metolachlor) and post-emergence (clethodim, fluazifop-p, or clopyralid) herbicides (84–90% reduction in weed biomass in camelina plots relative to untreated control) than the single application of those herbicides (68–83%). Clethodim and fluazifop-p provided good post-emerged grass weed control (e.g., crabgrass), whereas clopyralid effectively controlled the broadleaf weeds, such as common vetch and shepherd’s purse. Camelina seed yields from s-metolachlor following clethodim, fluazifop-p, or clopyralid application were statistically comparable to the yield of the weed-free treatment (hand weeding) and were significantly greater than those of the untreated control, indicating the effective weed control efficacies provided by those herbicides. Sequential application of the above herbicides did not affect camelina seed oil content, the principal UFA concentrations (e.g., C18:1~3), UFA/SFA, and MUFA/PUFA. In summary, sequential application combining pre- (s-metolachlor) and post-emergence (clethodim, fluazifop-p, or clopyralid) herbicides shows effective weed control in camelina, thus providing a great opportunity to increase camelina production through herbicide-based weed management. Full article

The increasing presence of various organics poses significant threats to aquatic ecosystems and living organisms. Conventional water treatment methods are often insufficient, necessitating the development of powerful and sustainable alternatives. This study addresses this challenge by exploring the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using green tea leaves extract—an eco-friendly approach—for the sunlight-activated removal of organics in agri-food wastewater. The research examined different conditions for the removal of clomazone (CLO), tembotrione (TEM), ciprofloxacin (CIP), and zearalenone (ZEA). Nitrate-derived ZnO synthesized in a water medium (N-gZnO_w) exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity, removing 98.2, 95.8, 96.2, and 96.6% of CLO, TEM, CIP, and ZEA. Characterization techniques (XRD, Raman spectroscopy, SEM, zeta potential measurements, UV–visible spectroscopy) confirmed the synthesis of N-gZnO_w, with an average particle size of 14.9 nm, an isoelectric point of 9.9, and a band gap energy of 2.92 eV. Photocatalytic experiments identified 0.5 mg/cm³ as an optimal catalyst loading, while a higher initial pollutant concentration reduced degradation efficiency. LC-ESI-MS/MS measurements confirmed the efficient pollutant degradation and the formation of degradation intermediates. Hence, this study demonstrates that green tea extract-synthesized ZnO nanoparticles offer a promising, sustainable solution for removing herbicides, pharmaceuticals, and mycotoxins from wastewater, paving the way for eco-friendly water purification technologies. Full article

Pesticides used in agriculture can contaminate foods like fruits and vegetables, posing health risks to consumers and highlighting the need for effective residue monitoring. This study explores aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) comprising phosphonium or ammonium ionic liquids (ILs) combined with ammonium sulfate as an alternative pre-treatment method for extracting and concentrating the pesticides clomazone, pyraclostrobin, and deltamethrin from strawberry samples. Liquid–liquid equilibrium measurements for each ATPS were conducted, followed by extraction experiments to determine the most efficient systems for pesticide extraction. Results showed that all three pesticides migrated effectively to the IL-rich phase across the tested ATPSs. For the most promising system, tetrabutylphosphonium salicylate ([TBP][Sal]) with ammonium sulfate, extraction efficiencies for each pesticide exceeded 98% under optimized conditions for parameters such as pH, temperature, and ATPS composition. Application of this ATPS to strawberries resulted in significant pesticide preconcentration, reaching mg/L levels suitable for detection by liquid chromatography. The method’s sustainability was supported by green chemistry metrics, with AGREEprep and AGREE scores of 0.68 and 0.55, respectively, underscoring its alignment with eco-friendly practices. Full article

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) and their derived mixed oxides are emerging as a promising class of biocompatible inorganic lamellar nanomaterials. The detailed structure and textural characteristics of the synthesized LDH-based materials were examined using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherm. This study explored the removal efficiency of pharmaceutical tolperisone hydrochloride (TLP), as well as the herbicides quinmerac (QUI) and clomazone (CLO) from water, using dried and calcined LDH-based photocatalysts under simulated solar irradiation and UV irradiation. A higher removal efficiency was observed using UV irradiation, for all substrates. The most effective removal was achieved using ZnAl photocatalysts thermally treated at 100 °C (ZnAl 100) and 500 °C (ZnAl 500). The highest removal rates were observed in the TLP/ZnAl 100 and QUI/ZnAl 100 systems, achieving ~79% and ~86% removal after 75 min of treatment under UV. In contrast, the CLO/ZnAl 100 and CLO/ZnAl 500 systems achieved ~47% removal of CLO. Furthermore, this study investigated the role of reactive species to elucidate the mechanisms of photodegradation under UV. It was found that in the degradation of TLP and QUI in the presence of ZnAl 100 and ZnAl 500, the superoxide anion radical played the most important role. Full article

This study examines the environmental and economic impacts of chemical fertilizer and pesticide use in paddy fields in Edirne Province, Türkiye. Chemical fertilizers, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, are crucial for boosting paddy yield and ensuring food security. However, recent trends indicate significant potassium deficiency and excessive pesticide use, leading to environmental degradation and higher production costs. Incorrect fertilization techniques and pesticide usage can lower product quality and yield, adversely affecting farmers’ incomes and the national economy. Surveying 139 paddy farmers, the research found that farmers apply the herbicidal active ingredients Tefuryltrione, Clomazone, Tembotrione, and Quinclorac at rates of 129.35%, 34.27%, 18.06%, and 155.29% above the recommended levels, respectively. The excessive use of pesticides costs each farmer an additional USD 925.67, totaling USD 5.32 million for Edirne. The majority of farmers (69.2%) do not conduct soil analysis, indicating a potential gap in adopting the best practices for soil management and fertilization. Farmers use 84% less potassium than recommended while applying nitrogen and phosphorus 13% and 14% above the recommended levels, respectively. The extra cost of fertilizer use in Edirne is calculated as USD 833,135.49. This situation harms the economy and may have adverse effects on the environment and potential health effects on consumers. Full article

Pesticides in soils raise concerns about the biodiversity, food safety, and contamination of watercourses, contributing to unsustainable land management practices. Monitoring the residue levels in agricultural soils is essential, as this offers valuable insights into the current extent of soil contamination and potential environmental risks attributed to their application. This study aimed to address the occurrence of the currently used herbicides in soil under intensive crop production, comparing the results of monitoring at two depths (0–30 and 30–60 cm) in 2013 and 2023. The research concerned the main agricultural area in Vojvodina Province (Serbia) and evaluated the presence of 41 herbicides in 128 localities. Pesticides were found in all samples, finding even more than six different herbicides per sample. The significant concentrations of s-metolachlor, etofumesate, clomazone, diflufenican, pendimethalin, and terbuthylazine found can be attributed to application practices, as they are typically applied pre-emergence, either through direct soil treatment with or without incorporation. Moreover, the correlation between different depths, herbicide residues, and soil properties was not significant. The decrease in the herbicide residues found in 2023 compared to the residues found in 2013 can be attributed to the implementation of good agricultural practices, which promote sustainable agricultural strategies through controlled pesticide application. Full article

Pure water scarcity is the most significant emerging challenge of the modern society. Various organics such as pesticides (clomazone, quinmerac), pharmaceuticals (ciprofloxacin, 17α-ethynilestradiol), and mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol) can be found in the aquatic environment. The aim of this study was to fabricate ZnO nanomaterial on the basis of banana peel extract (ZnO/BPE) and investigate its efficiency in the photocatalytic degradation of selected organics under various experimental conditions. Newly synthesized ZnO/BPE nanomaterials were fully characterized by the XRD, FTIR, SEM-EPS, XPS, and BET techniques, which confirmed the successful formation of ZnO nanomaterials. The photocatalytic experiments showed that the optimal catalyst loading of ZnO/BPE was 0.5 mg/cm³, while the initial pH did not influence the degradation efficiency. The reusability of the ZnO/BPE nanomaterial was also tested, and minimal activity loss was found after three photocatalytic cycles. The photocatalytic efficiency of pure banana peel extract (BPE) was also studied, and the obtained data showed high removal of ciprofloxacin and 17α-ethynilestradiol. Finally, the influence of water from Danube River was also examined based on the degradation efficiency of selected pollutants. These results showed an enhanced removal of ciprofloxacin in water from the Danube River, while in the case of other pollutants, the treatment was less effective. Full article

In this research, the efficiency of degradation of different organic contaminant classes, including pesticides (tembotrione, clomazone), pharmaceuticals (ciprofloxacin, 17α-ethinyl estradiol) and mycotoxins (zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, fumonisin B1) with subcritical water treatment was studied in model systems. All experiments were conducted in a house-made batch-type pilot reactor. The research was focused on the optimization of the treatment parameters using moderate treatment conditions. Optimization of the remediation processes of water contaminated with 17α-ethinyl estradiol, tembotrione, clomazone, and ciprofloxacin, was conducted through testing with different homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts, as well as different gas atmospheres (nitrogen and carbon dioxide) for pressurization of the process system. Mycotoxins in water were degraded without catalysts and all experiments were conducted in nitrogen atmosphere. Optimization was conducted through defining the optimal combination of the treatment temperature and time, oriented towards energy saving and minimization of the technical requirements. The degradation efficiency in all tested samples was determined via HPLC analysis. Study showed the full degradation of tembotrione and all tested mycotoxins at 200 °C without a need for a catalyst. The efficiency of degradation of other tested pollutants at 200 °C was satisfying and within the range of 89.5% (clomazone) to 98.7% (17α-ethinyl estradiol). Full article

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of adsorption and photocatalysis techniques at removing the herbicide clomazone (CLO) and the antidepressant known as amitriptyline (AMI) from water. This study employed kinetic models to analyze the removal processes and assess the potential toxicity of the treated water. The structure and morphology of the prepared multi-walled carbon nanotubes were characterized as adsorbents by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared techniques, and Raman spectroscopy. The adsorption kinetics of CLO and AMI were studied on the pristine and functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Kinetic studies were performed by modeling the obtained experimental data using three kinetic models: pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and Elovich kinetic models. On the other hand, the efficiency of CLO and AMI photodegradation was examined as a function of the type of irradiation (UV and simulated solar irradiation) and type of TiO₂ photocatalyst (Aeroxide and Kronos). Under the experimental conditions employed, the reaction followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. Additionally, in order to assess the toxicity of water containing CLO, AMI, and their intermediates, toxicity assessments were conducted using human fetal lung fibroblast cells. The results obtained indicate the effectiveness of both methods and provide valuable insights into their removal mechanisms, contributing to the advancement of sustainable water treatment strategies. Full article