Search Results (320)

Herbicides are critical for ensuring food production and improving agricultural yields; however, their residues may alter soil ecology and pose risks to animals, plants, and humans via bioaccumulation. Florpyrauxifen-benzyl is a novel herbicide, and existing studies have mainly focused on its weed control efficacy, crop safety, and general environmental impacts. However, the effects of its application on soil fungal diversity remain poorly understood. To elucidate the degradation pathways of florpyrauxifen-benzyl and its impacts on soil microorganisms, this study employed liquid chromatography and high-throughput sequencing to analyze florpyrauxifen-benzyl residues, shifts in soil physicochemical properties, and alterations in soil fungal communities following herbicide application, thereby revealing the interactions between florpyrauxifen-benzyl and soil fungi. Our results showed that, compared with the untreated control, the 10-fold recommended dose significantly increased the relative abundances of Pseudeurotium bakeri and Phialophora cyclaminis. Furthermore, the fungal diversity indices in the 5-fold and 10-fold recommended dose groups were significantly higher at later sampling stages than those in both the untreated control and the recommended-dose groups. After florpyrauxifen-benzyl application, the core fungal communities in the treatment groups were markedly distinct from those in the untreated control. These findings provide guidance for the safe and rational use of florpyrauxifen-benzyl, and offer a theoretical framework and scientific basis for the ecological monitoring of soil contamination and the elucidation of herbicide degradation mechanisms. Full article

Imidazoles have been proven to be very effective pesticides, especially against phytopathogenic fungi and insects. Due to their negative effects on the environment, only a few imidazoles have been approved for use by the European Commission (EC). There is an urgent need to develop new imidazole derivatives with high efficiency and a wide spectrum of action against numerous pests that are, at the same time, safe for the environment and beneficial for organisms and humans. In order to reduce expensive and time-consuming experiments, an in silico approach based on quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) models is valuable for predicting the toxicity of new or untested chemicals. In this study, we used the Vega and ChemFREE web platforms to evaluate the pesticide similarity, environmental risk properties, and ecotoxicological effects of imidazole derivatives designed for potential synthesis. Adamantane-, alkyl-, and triazole-amide, ester, carbamate, and ketone derivatives were filtered for the evaluated properties, and four alkyl-amides were highlighted as potentially effective and environmentally safe antifungal, herbicidal, and insecticidal agents. Molecular docking studies indicated the possible mechanism of action of the antifungal, herbicidal, insecticidal, and antibacterial activities of the observed compounds and revealed structural features important for binding to specific receptors. Full article

The Texas High Plains (THP) is a major cotton-producing region facing challenges from continuous cotton monoculture, which has increased weed pressure and reduced system sustainability. Over 90% of cotton acreage relies on herbicides, accelerating the evolution of herbicide-resistant weed development. Declining Ogallala Aquifer water levels and erratic rainfall further stress the system, highlighting the need for diversified, drought-resilient cropping systems. Sorghum, known for its drought tolerance and allelopathic properties, offers an effective rotational crop to suppress weeds and improve water-use efficiency. This study evaluated the effects of sorghum–cotton rotation on weed dynamics, crop growth, and yield. A two-year field experiment (2024–2025) was conducted at the Quaker Research Farm, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, using a split-plot design with crop rotations [sorghum–cotton (S–C), sorghum–sorghum (S–S), and cotton–cotton (C–C)] as main plots and weed management treatments (weeded and unweeded) as subplots, with four replications. Results showed that the C–C system had 41% higher weed density and 57% greater early-season biomass than S–C; cotton growth improved in S–C with 17–22% taller plants and 36–90% more biomass compared to cotton monoculture. Under weeded conditions, lint yield increased by 53% and seed yield by 30% compared with cotton monoculture. Under unweeded conditions, yields were 21% to 41% greater in the S–C system due to lower weed density, biomass and reduced competition. Overall, integrating sorghum into cotton-based systems reduced weed pressure, increased cotton plant height and biomass, improved lint and seed yield, and minimized yield losses under limited weed control, supporting more sustainable production in the THP. Full article

The plant Artemisia scoparia, of the Artemisia genus in the Asteraceae family, is known for its broad range of medicinal applications. Recent research on the traditional applications, phytochemistry, and potential biological activity of the plant is summarized in this review. Anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective properties of this plant are well known. The complex bioactive profile of the plant has been revealed by analysis of key chemical elements such as coumarins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, chromones, and essential oils. Research gaps show the necessity of toxicity analyses, clinical trials, and further bioactivity assays, to confirm the therapeutic potential of A. scoparia. The review also covers the morphology, distribution, traditional uses, and how this plant has adapted to desert ecosystems. This plant has the potential to be used in land restoration, herbicide, and associated plants in commercial agriculture. The present review provides an in-depth understanding of the chemical composition and promising biological activities of A. scoparia. These bioactivities draw attention to develop novel drugs. However, further research is needed to examine the toxicity and clinical effectiveness of this plant. Although not yet studied in poultry nutrition, A. scoparia shows potential as a natural feed additive based on evidence from other Artemisia species. Finally, the future research directions to deepen our understanding of this plant to confirm its clinical applications and use in poultry feed are also provided. Full article

Wood vinegar (WV), also known as pyroligneous acid, is the aqueous condensate produced during lignocellulosic biomass pyrolysis, generated alongside biochar and non-condensable gases. In forest biorefineries, it represents a promising value-added coproduct capable of transforming forestry and agroforestry residues into a multifunctional bioproduct. Its composition, dominated by water, organic acids, phenolic compounds, aldehydes, and ketones, confers antimicrobial, antioxidant, biostimulant, herbicidal, and preservative properties. This review critically examines WV production, chemical composition, purification strategies, mechanisms of action, and applications, explicitly distinguishing evidence-based uses from prospective ones. Current evidence supports applications in agriculture, wood preservation, environmental management, and forestry, including forest nursery production and clonal propagation of Eucalyptus and Pinus. However, the literature remains fragmented by compositional variability, non-standardized terminology, limited mechanistic understanding, and scarce long-term toxicological and techno-economic assessments. WV holds significant potential for sustainable biomass valorization and circular bioeconomy strategies. Realizing this potential requires harmonized analytical protocols, standardized formulations, rigorous mechanistic studies, life-cycle assessments, and regulatory frameworks that support the transition of this heterogeneous pyrolysis byproduct into a reliable commodity within integrated forest biorefineries. Full article

Pesticides are widely recognized as hazardous chemicals with potential adverse effects on human health and the environment. Directive 2009/128/EC establishes a framework for the European Union to promote the sustainable use of pesticides and the adoption of alternative agricultural techniques. Specifically, aqueous extracts are complex mixtures of various chemical compounds, such as terpenes, alcohols, aldehydes, and phenols, that have potential herbicidal, insecticidal, and fungicidal properties. Therefore, they can be used as an alternative to pesticides. This study examined the cytocompatibility of 100, 10, 1 and 0.1% Allium sativum L. aqueous extract (ASE) on human cell lines. The aim was to evaluate its effects on viability and cell metabolic activity through in vitro testing to verify the absence of adverse effects for operators who, when using garlic extract in agriculture, may be exposed via dermal contact or inhalation. The results showed that 1 to 0.1% do not significantly affect cell proliferation or viability in all examined cell models, while higher concentrations (≥10%) induced cell line-dependent reductions in viability. In summary, the results suggest the potential use of garlic aqueous extract as a potential low-risk alternative to synthetic pesticides and support its safety for occupational exposure of agricultural workers. Full article

Ionic liquids (ILs) have attracted considerable scientific interest over nearly three decades, with thousands of studies highlighting their low volatility, thermal stability, and potential for property modification through cation and anion selection. However, their behavior under environmental conditions remains less clear, particularly when water, soil constituents, and competing ions are present. This article examines whether concepts developed for neat ILs can be directly transferred to aqueous and soil systems. Particular attention is given to ion pairing, dissociation, surfactant-like behavior, sorption, toxicity, and biodegradation. Evidence from studies on herbicidal ILs, conventional precursor salts, and their mixtures indicates that, under environmentally relevant conditions, cations and anions frequently behave as largely independent chemical species. Hydrophobic cations are often responsible for sorption and microbial toxicity, whereas herbicidal anions typically retain mobility and biodegradation patterns comparable to their conventional salt forms. These observations question the environmental significance of ion pairing and suggest that the extent to which IL properties can be controlled through cation and anion selection may be more limited than commonly assumed. Greater emphasis should therefore be placed on precise terminology, appropriate experimental controls, and validation under realistic environmental conditions when interpreting the behavior and environmental relevance of ILs. Full article

Agribusiness is the main economic activity in northeastern Yucatán, México. The production of forage grasses for livestock feed requires weed control, achieved through chemical methods, with the herbicide 2,4-D being the most widely used in the region. This research quantified the presence of 2,4-D in groundwater in Sucilá, Yucatán, during 2023. Twenty ranches with different stocking rates (organisms/hectare) were evaluated. Groundwater samples and soil cores were collected in two climatic seasons (dry and rainy) to relate soil properties and herbicide concentration to the weather. The results showed that the concentration of 2,4-D was higher during the rainy season (September 2023), with values between 1.6 and 3.6 mg 2,4-D/L, but no differences were observed among stocking rates. Soil organic matter was different between seasons, and cation exchange capacity changed among stocking rates. Continuous irrigation, coupled with the application of agrochemicals, is likely impairing the water quality of groundwater in this area of the Yucatan. Full article

Chiral pesticides, comprising enantiomers with identical physical and chemical properties but different biological effects, call for extra efforts in comprehensively evaluating their risk assessment. However, the defect regarding sensitive analysis of chiral pesticides limits the progress of research. Therefore, an efficient and highly sensitive analytical method for the trace-level analysis of chiral pesticides is imperative. Herein, normal micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC), sweeping-MEKC, and anion-selective exhaustive injection-sweeping-MEKC (ASEI-sweeping-MEKC) were optimized to separate and enrich three chiral phenoxy acid herbicides (cloprop, dichlorprop, and fenoprop). Normal MEKC with 30 mM γ-cyclodextrin, 50 mM SDS, pH 2.5, and 50 mM phosphate buffer background electrolyte (BGE) achieved ideal chiral separation of target herbicides. Then, sweeping-MEKC was modified to enhance the detection sensitivity by 4690 to 10,630-folds with the conditions of pH 2.5, 100 mM phosphate buffer high-conductivity buffer (HCB), 60 s injection time + 30 mM γ-CD, 50 mM SDS, pH 2.5, 50 mM phosphate buffer BGE + 120 s sample injection time. ASEI-sweeping-MEKC achieved further improvement of detection sensitivity by 241,000- to 673,000-fold. And the optimal ASEI-sweeping-MEKC conditions for the target chiral phenoxy acid herbicides were 20% ACN water plug, 30 s injection time + pH 2.5, 100 mM phosphate buffer HCB, 60 s injection time + 30 mM γ-CD, 50 mM SDS, pH 2.5, 50 mM phosphate buffer BGE + 12 min sample injection time. All in all, these findings have validated ASEI-sweeping-MEKC as an efficient and powerful analytical method for the trace-level analysis of the enantiomers of three chiral phenoxy acid herbicides. This approach enables a comprehensive risk assessment and provides guidance for the sustainable application of chiral pesticides. Full article

Glyphosate, the most extensively used herbicide worldwide, is frequently detected in aquatic environments due to its high solubility, persistence, and intensive agricultural application. Its occurrence, together with that of its principal metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), raises substantial environmental and public health concerns. Conventional water treatment technologies generally exhibit limited efficiency in achieving complete removal and mineralization of this compound. In recent years, advanced electrochemical oxidation processes, and particularly anodic oxidation, have emerged as promising alternatives owing to their ability to generate highly reactive hydroxyl radicals in situ. This review provides the first contaminant-specific and mechanistic assessment dedicated exclusively to the anodic electro-oxidation of glyphosate. In contrast to previous reviews offering broad surveys of electrode materials or generalized evaluations of glyphosate treatment technologies, this work synthesizes all mechanistic, kinetic, and material-dependent insights reported between 2016 and 2025. A comparative analysis of major anode families (including boron-doped diamond (BDD), ${\mathrm{P}\mathrm{b}\mathrm{O}}_2$, mixed-metal oxides, and Magnéli-phase Ti₄O₇) is presented, highlighting glyphosate-specific degradation pathways, intermediate formation, and the operational parameters controlling mineralization efficiency and energy demand. By establishing a structured framework that links electrode properties, radical-generation mechanisms, and pollutant-specific degradation chemistry, this review addresses a critical gap in the literature and provides a scientific basis for designing next-generation electrochemical processes for the efficient and sustainable removal of glyphosate and related organophosphorus contaminants. Full article

Reducing herbicide input in paddy fields is essential for sustainable rice production and long-term soil health. Florpyrauxifen-benzyl effectively controls the dominant paddy weed barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli), yet excessive application poses environmental risks. Here, we investigated whether the compound adjuvant Sijiling, containing nonionic and anionic surfactants, could enable significant dose reduction in florpyrauxifen-benzyl while maintaining weed control efficacy and improving soil–plant system functions. Greenhouse dose–response assays and two-year field trials conducted in 2021 and 2022 demonstrated that the adjuvant permitted a 50% reduction in herbicide application without compromising control of barnyardgrass or other paddy weeds. Mechanistically, Sijiling disrupted the leaf cuticular wax barrier and amplified ethylene and ABA biosynthesis over two-fold. The reduced herbicide rate lowered residues in rice and soil, increased soil organic carbon and available potassium, and enhanced microbial diversity, particularly enriching beneficial Acidobacteria. Grain yield increased significantly under the reduced-input strategy, with Mantel analysis linking yield gains to improved soil available potassium and organic carbon. Our findings demonstrate that adjuvant-enabled herbicide dose reduction is an effective and sustainable weed management strategy for paddy rice, maintaining robust weed suppression while delivering measurable co-benefits for soil health and crop productivity, thereby supporting the sustainable intensification of rice-based cropping systems. Full article

Aspergillus fungi are a source of low-molecular compounds of various structures possessing biological activities. We investigated the secondary metabolite profile of the soil fungus A. calidoustus VKM F-4916. The strain was found to synthesize new metabolites attributed to furoisocoumarins, which we named asperisocoumarin J and K, and a known siderophore desferritriacetylfusigen. The structure of asperisocoumarin J and K were determined by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. Asperisocoumarins J, K and desferritriacetylfusigen possessed a phytotoxicity, inhibiting the lettuce root growth. Sow thistle leaf and wheat leaf cuttings were sensitive to the action of asperisocoumarin J and K at a concentration of 5 mg/mL. Analysis of the structures of furoisocoumarins (asperisocoumarins J and K) using the online resource Pesti-DGI-Net showed that compounds had the physico-chemical properties favorable for pesticide development, in particular, fungicides and herbicides. An in-depth study of the phytotoxic properties of furoisocoumarins and their natural analogs is of interest in the context of the search for new herbicide compounds. Full article

The widespread use of herbicides in agriculture results in their accumulation in the environment, which has a negative impact on non-target biota. One way to reduce environmental risks while maintaining the effectiveness of plant protection products is to apply supramolecular chemistry principles to agricultural practices. Although pillar[n]arenes are used in the production of sensors and antidotes for pesticides, their influence on the herbicidal properties and ecotoxicity of herbicides toward aquatic organisms and higher plants has hardly been studied. The effect of pillar[5]arenes on the herbicidal activity of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and glyphosate (Glyp), as well as the ecotoxicity of the resulting binary systems toward Ceriodaphnia affinis and Paramecium caudatum, was assessed for the first time. The association constants of pillar[5]arenes with Glyp (logK_a = 3.92–4.06) were an order of magnitude higher than the corresponding values for 2,4-D (logK_a = 2.66–3.06) with the stoichiometry of 1:1. The formation of stable associates (143–177 nm) with negative zeta potential values (from −20.9 to −7.8 mV) was demonstrated for the pillar[5]arene/herbicide systems. Low phytotoxicity of pillar[5]arenes against Chlorella vulgaris was shown. The addition of pillar[5]arenes to 2,4-D reduced the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germination index by 4.5-fold compared to the pure herbicide. Forming associates between decamethoxypillar[5]arene and Glyp increased the LC₁₀ by more than twofold compared to the individual herbicide against Paramecium caudatum and Ceriodaphnia affinis. It was demonstrated that combining pillar[5]arenes with Glyp can reduce ecotoxicity while partially preserving or selectively modifying phytotoxicity. The results obtained in this study are encouraging for the development of materials and supramolecular systems that could boost agricultural efficiency while reducing its environmental impact. Full article

Simazine (SIM), a triazine herbicide and potential environmental risk factor, has been associated with neurotoxicity; however, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly characterized. Salidroside (SAL), a natural antioxidant with mitochondrial protective properties, has been reported to alleviate SIM-induced neuronal injury. Using an integrated strategy combining network toxicology and network pharmacology with experimental validation, this study systematically investigated the neurotoxic mechanisms of SIM and the neuroprotective effects of SAL. Bioinformatics analyses revealed that SIM- and SAL-related targets were significantly enriched in apoptosis- and autophagy-associated pathways. In vitro experiments demonstrated that SIM induced mitochondrial structural damage, metabolic dysfunction, and dopaminergic neuron-like SH-SY5Y cells apoptosis by inhibiting PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy. Conversely, SAL effectively protected SH-SY5Y cells against SIM-induced neurotoxicity by restoring PINK1/Parkin signaling, thereby enhancing mitophagy and suppressing apoptosis. The present study elucidates the central mechanism of SIM-induced PD-like neurotoxicity in vitro and, for the first time, confirms the potential protective effect of SAL. These findings provide a novel theoretical basis for investigating nerve injury induced by SIM exposure and underscore the potential of plant-derived compounds in preventing nerve injuries related to environmental toxicants. Full article

This review analyzes the advances over a five-year period in the development of polymeric sorbents for the purification of aqueous media from key classes of pollutants: hydrocarbons (crude oil, diesel fuel), organic dyes, pharmaceuticals (antibiotics), pesticides, herbicides, volatile organic compounds, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Attention is paid to the analysis of structure-property-performance relationships, with an emphasis on comparing materials derived from renewable natural feedstocks (such as cellulose, chitosan, terpenes, vegetable oils, and aloe vera) with synthetic polymers. The analysis reveals that biopolymer-based sorbents exhibit comparable or superior sorption capacities combined with environmental safety, biodegradability, and low cost. The key sorption mechanisms include physical adsorption, hydrophobic interactions, and electrostatic interactions. Despite persisting challenges related to scalability, stability in real-world environments, and the need for efficient regeneration protocols, a convergent approach that combines the advantages of modified natural polymers and functional synthetic components appears to be the most promising strategy for developing cost-effective and sustainable technologies for the restoration of water quality. Full article