Search Results (80)

Glyphosate (N-phosphonomethylglycine) is a widely used organophosphorus herbicide that inhibits the shikimate pathway, a crucial metabolic route responsible for the synthesis of aromatic amino acids in plants and certain microorganisms. Due to its broad-spectrum activity, glyphosate serves as the main active ingredient in various commercial herbicide formulations, including Roundup and Kalach 360 SL (KL). It poses a health hazard to animals and humans due to its persistence in soil, water erosion, and crops. The aim of our study was to continue the previous research to explore the impact of KL on bone using physico-chemical parameters and in silico studies after exposing female wistar rats for 60 days. The in silico study concerned the assessment of binding affinity and molecular interactions using computational modeling approach. The rats were allocated into three experimental groups: group 1 (n = 6) served as controls, while groups 2 and 3 received low and high doses (Dose 1: 126 mg/Kg and Dose 2: 315 mg/Kg) of KL dissolved in water, respectively. All rats were sacrificed after 60 days of exposure. XRD and FTIR spectrum analysis of bone tissues in female rats showed significant histoarchitectural changes associated with bone mineralization disruption. Our results have demonstrated that sub-chronic exposure of adult female rats to KL causes bone rarefaction, as confirmed by a previous histological study. This physico-chemical study has further confirmed the harmful impact of KL on the crystalline fraction of bone tissue, composed of hydroxyapatite crystals. In addition, the computational analyses showed that glyphosate binds to 3 Glu form of osteocalcin (3 Glu-OCN) (4MZZ) and decarboxylated osteocalcin (8I75) with good affinities and strong molecular interactions, which justified and supported the in vivo findings. In conclusion, KL may interfere with hydroxyapatite and osteocalcin and, therefore, impair bone remodeling and metabolism. Full article

Chenopodium album is a troublesome weed in soybean fields in China. Many C. album populations have evolved resistance to herbicides and pose a growing challenge to weed management. This study characterizes the molecular and physiological resistance mechanisms in C. album populations against ALS- and PSII-inhibiting herbicides, focusing on thifensulfuron-methyl and bentazone. Dose-response assays confirmed significant resistance in two populations (R1 and R2), with resistance index values of 5.28 and 6.51 for thifensulfuron-methyl, and 4.83 and 5.10 for bentazone. Herbicide target gene amplification and sequence analysis showed an Ala-122-Thr substitution in the ALS but no psbA mutation in R1, while no ALS or psbA mutation was identified in R2. ALS enzyme assays further supported the resistance in R1. Cross-resistance tests indicated that R1 and R2 populations exhibited low-level resistance to oxyfluorfen and acifluorfen, but no detectable resistance to cloransulam-methyl, flumetsulam, or fomesafen. These findings highlight the need for integrated weed management strategies, including herbicide diversification and metabolic resistance monitoring, to mitigate the further evolution of resistance. Full article

Flusulfinam is a 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD)-inhibiting herbicide applied post-emergence (POST) to control Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P.Beauv., Leptochloa chinensis (L.) Nees, Digitaria sanguinalis (Linn.) Scop. and other annual weeds in directly seeded and transplanted paddy fields in China, registered in September 2024. Notably, compared with other HPPD inhibitors in rice, flusulfinam exhibits consistently high safety in both japonica and indica rice varieties. Meanwhile, flusulfinam has no target-site cross-resistance with traditional acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase)-inhibiting, and auxin herbicides. Moreover, as the only heterocyclic-amide-structured herbicide in the HPPD inhibitors, it poses a low risk of metabolic cross-resistance with the other HPPD inhibitors, making it a promising candidate for managing herbicide-resistant weeds in rice fields. In this study, the baseline sensitivity to flusulfinam of E. crus-galli and L. chinensis in paddy fields in China was established using dose–response assays between June and October 2023. Thirty-nine populations of E. crus-galli and forty-three populations of L. chinensis, collected from rice fields across various major rice-producing regions in China, exhibited susceptibility to flusulfinam. The GR₅₀ values ranged from 0.15 to 19.39 g active ingredient (a.i.) ha⁻¹ for E. crus-galli and from 7.82 to 49.92 g a.i. ha⁻¹ for L. chinensis, respectively, far below the field recommended rate of flusulfinam. Meanwhile, the GR₅₀ values of E. crus-galli and L. chinensis to flusulfinam were both distributed as a unimodal curve, with baseline sensitivity (GR₅₀b) of 6.48 g a.i. ha⁻¹ and 22.38 g a.i. ha⁻¹, respectively. The SI₅₀ value showed 129.27-fold and 6.38-fold variability in flusulfinam sensitivity among the 39 E. crus-galli field populations and 43 L. chinensis filed populations, while the variability declined to 2.99-fold and 2.23-fold when the SI₅₀b value was used. This study substantiated the efficacy of flusulfinam against E. crus-galli and L. chinensis in Chinese paddy fields and furnished a benchmark for monitoring temporal variations in the susceptibility of field populations of E. crus-galli and L. chinensis to flusulfinam. 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

The experiment aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of using high doses of nitrogen (N) and delaying the sowing of living mulch in the apple tree (Malus domestica Borkh.) orchard as factors stimulating tree growth and influencing fruit quality. Blue fescue (Festuca ovina L.), as a cover crop, was sown in the tree rows in the second and fourth year after tree planting. It was compared to herbicide fallow control treatment. In each floor management, four N doses (50, 80, 110, and 140 kg ha⁻¹) were used every year. The study indicated the dominance of living mulch, especially sowing in the second year after tree planting as a factor influencing the reduction in growth and yield but improving the red blush surface on the fruit skin. The growth of trees was also strongly influenced by biotic and abiotic stress factors, which did not allow for a clear assessment of N fertilization. With objectively low cropping levels and poor growth of all trees tested in the experiment, their N needs were satisfied by a dose of 50 kg ha⁻¹. The application of the highest dose of 140 kg N ha⁻¹ had a significant and negative impact on the red color of the fruit skin. Full article

The residues of the herbicides aminopyralid and iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium are phytotoxic to rotational crops. Their behaviour therefore needs to be studied under different agronomic practises and climatic conditions. The objective of this work was to use controlled laboratory conditions to study the effect of the following: (i) the application of green compost (GC) to agricultural soil, (ii) herbicide dose, (iii) soil moisture, and (iv) soil microbial activity on the degradation rate of aminopyralid and iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium. Moreover, the formation of two iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium metabolites (metsulfuron-methyl and 2-amino-4-methyl-4-methoxy methyl-triazine) and the dissipation mechanism of labelled ¹⁴C-iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium under the same conditions were also studied. Aminopyralid and iodosulfuron-methyl showed slower degradation and half-life values (DT₅₀) that were up to 4.6 and 1.4 times higher, respectively, in soil amended with GC, as the higher organic carbon (OC) content of this soil increased herbicide adsorption. The DT₅₀ values were up to 2.6 and 1.9 times higher for aminopyralid and iodosulfuron-methyl sodium, respectively, in soils treated with the double herbicide dose compared to soils treated with the agronomic dose. The DT₅₀ values for aminopyralid were up to 2.3 times higher in soils with moisture equal to 25% (H25%) of their water-holding capacity (WHC) than in soils with H50%. However, the DT₅₀ values for iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium were slightly lower in soils with H25% than in soils with H50%, due to the formation of bound residues. A biodegradation process significantly contributes to the dissipation of both herbicides. Higher amounts of metabolite metsulfuron-methyl were formed in the GC-amended soil in all cases. The percentages of ¹⁴C extractable in soils treated with both doses of herbicide under H25% were slightly higher than in soils under higher soil moisture (H50%) over time, due to the slower degradation of ¹⁴C-(iodosulfuron-methyl+metabolites). The higher persistence of the herbicides and their metabolites when the doses were applied at a high rate in soil amended with GC and under low moisture content may have negative consequences for the rotational crop. In the case of adverse conditions leading to the persistence of herbicides in the soil during the primary crop, the intervals for crop rotation should be increased. Full article

The cover crop Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br. (pearl millet) reduces the emergence of weed species in the field through a mechanism that is not fully known. The identification of the allelopathic activity of pearl millet can contribute to the development of no-tillage techniques to produce crops without or with low doses of herbicides. This issue was investigated by testing the effects of extracts from the aerial parts of pearl millet on the germination and growth of the weeds Bidens pilosa L., Euphorbia heterophylla L., and Ipomoea grandifolia (Dammer) O’Donell under laboratory conditions. The ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) at a concentration of 2000 µg mL⁻¹ was inactive on Bidens pilosa; it inhibited root length (−72%) and seedling fresh weight (−41%) of E. heterophylla, and in I. grandifolia the length of primary root and aerial parts and the fresh and dry weight of seedlings were reduced by 63%, 32%, 25%, and 12%, respectively. In roots of I. grandifolia seedlings, at the initial development stage, EAF induced oxidative stress and increased electrolyte leakage. At the juvenile vegetative stage, a lower concentration of EAF (250 µg mL⁻¹) induced a stimulus in seedling growth (+60% in root length and +23% in aerial parts length) that was associated with increased photosynthetic efficiency. However, at higher concentrations (1000 µg mL⁻¹), it induced the opposite effects, inhibiting the growth of root (−41%) and aerial parts (−25%), with reduced superoxide dismutase activity and photosynthetic efficiency. The stilbenoid pallidol was identified as the main compound in EAF. The allelopathic activity of pearl millet may be attributed, at least in part, to the impairment of energy metabolism and the induction of oxidative stress in weed seedlings, with pallidol possibly involved in this action. Such findings demonstrated that the application of the EAF extract from pearl millet can be a natural and renewable alternative tool for weed control. Full article

Agricultural pollutants co-interact and affect the vital functions, stress tolerance, resistance, immunity, and survival of insect pests. These metal–herbicide interactions have inevitable but remarkable effects on insects, which remain poorly understood. Here, we examined the effects of the interactions among zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and paraquat (PQ) at a sublethal dose on the physiological response of the Egyptian cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis. Co-exposure to Zn and Fe improved leafworm survival (100% at 10–20 mg, 85% at 40 mg) compared to separate exposures. Low Zn/Fe/PQ toxicity likely stemmed from metal complexes having efficient chelating activity, enhancing resilience. Low exposure to Zn, Fe, and Zn/Fe increased food intake and larval weight and affected frass production. Interestingly, the combined application of Zn/Fe/PQ increased larval and pupal weight in surviving individuals. Zn/Fe was found to be crucial in the ecdysis of larvae into pupae, resulting in reduced larval mortality and a prolonged pupal ecdysis duration (% days). Providing important information regarding physiological responses and pest management, this study demonstrated the realistic conditions caused by the interactions of biological trace elements, such as Zn and Fe, with PQ. A disc diffusion susceptibility test in hemolymph bacteria revealed differences among Zn, Zn/Fe, and Zn/Fe/PQ, suggesting that their interaction might play an immunomodulatory role in S. littoralis. Full article

Setaria viridis (green foxtail) is an invasive weed species in various agricultural systems, prompting the search for effective compounds to control its germination. The species has primary and secondary dormancy depending on the time elapsed since post-harvesting, making management strategies more difficult. Several weed plants, such as Lantana camara L., can be a source of allelochemicals with herbicidal effects, being a potential candidate for the control of S. viridis. We investigated the effects of L. camara extracts on the germination and initial growth of S. viridis seeds with different degrees of dormancy and revealed a dose-dependent bioherbicide effect. Aqueous extracts of L. camara were analyzed by HPLC-DAD and applied (0.1 to 5.0 mg/mL) to 12- and 110-day post-harvest S. viridis seeds. Seeds were evaluated daily and germination percentage (GP), speed germination index (SGI), and radicle length (RL) were calculated. Phenolic acids and flavonoids were major components of the extract. Lower concentrations (0.1 and 0.5 mg/mL) stimulated and accelerated the germination of S. viridis, breaking its dormancy. Both 1.0 and 5.0 mg/mL concentrations hindered germination, especially in 12 dph seeds. The 1.0 mg/mL concentration resulted in longer roots, whereas 5.0 mg/mL inhibited root development. Lantana camara extracts potentially stimulate germination and radicle growth of S. viridis at low concentrations while inhibiting these parameters at higher doses. These results may open new possibilities for using L. camara in weed-control strategies. Full article

Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is inevitable, and growing scientific evidence indicates that even very low doses can negatively impact human health, particularly during pregnancy and the neonatal period. As part of the European project LIFE18 ENV/IT/00460, this study aims to identify the presence of EDCs in 20 infant formulas (both powdered and liquid) and the release from baby bottles and teats. Particularly, sensitization of young people and future parents towards the potential harmful effects of EDCs could significantly help to reduce exposure. Seven different UPLC-MS/MS methodologies and one ICP-AES were set up to quantify already assessed and suspected EDCs among 85 different chemicals (bisphenols, parabens, PAHs, phthalates, pesticides, herbicides and their main metabolites, PFAS, and metals). Results showed that in 2 out of 14 baby bottles, only anthracene and phenanthrene of the group of PAHs were released (10.68–10.81 ng/mL). Phthalates such as mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP) were found in 9 of 14 samples (0.054–0.140 ng/mL), while mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MeOHP) appeared in 2 samples (0.870–0.930 ng/mL). In accordance with current EU regulations, other chemicals were not detected in baby bottles and teats. However, bisphenols, parabens, PAHs, phthalates, PFAS, and metals were detected in infant formula, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring and public health interventions. Full article

Low doses of glyphosate from application drift can be phytotoxic or stimulate growth of glyphosate-susceptible crops. The application of Si can prevent herbicide-caused plant stress. The effects of Si application (3 mM Si) on low doses (0, 36, 72, and 180 g a.e. ha⁻¹) of glyphosate were determined on Sorghum bicolor in a greenhouse study. Growth parameters, mineral content, metabolite content, and glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) content were measured. Increasing glyphosate content, but no AMPA, was found with increasing glyphosate application rates. Shoot dry weight was increased by 72 g ha⁻¹ of glyphosate when pretreated with Si, and plant height increased in Si-treated plants treated with 72 g ha⁻¹ of glyphosate. Si alone had no effects on growth. Shikimate content was increased by the highest glyphosate rate. Phenylalanine content was generally increased by all glyphosate treatments with or without Si, except for 72 g ha⁻¹ glyphosate without Si. Tyrosine content was increased by 36 and 180 g ha⁻¹ glyphosate without Si. Caffeate content was decreased by Si in the control, and ferulate content was increased with 180 g ha⁻¹ glyphosate in Si-treated plants. Ca levels were reduced by Si at 180 g ha⁻¹ glyphosate. Mn levels were lower than those of the control without Si for all other treatments with Si. The increases in shikimate with the highest glyphosate dose indicated that the herbicide reached its herbicide target and should be causing stress, but the only growth effect was the stimulation of some growth parameters at 72 g ha⁻¹ of glyphosate with Si pretreatment. Similarly, there were increases in some metabolites at some glyphosate concentrations with or without Si. Our results indicate that the rates that we used cause little stress and that Si pretreatment could potentiate glyphosate hormesis for some parameters. Full article

The behavioral (filtration activity) and biochemical (oxidative stress) effects of Roundup 360 Plus (active substance glyphosate) herbicide on two species of unionid mussels, Unio tumidus (Philipsson, 1788) and Anodonta anatina (L.), were evaluated at concentrations ranging from 15 to 1500 μg L⁻¹ of glyphosate for five days. During all experiments, we did not record the mortality of the studied mussel species. Exposure to Roundup herbicide induced dose-dependent filtration disruptions in both U. tumidus and A. anatina. Exposure of the mussels to a low and environmentally relevant concentration 15 µg glyphosate L⁻¹ resulted in a slight (<20%) and temporary decrease in mean valve dilation. Exposure of the mussels to Roundup at relatively high concentrations caused drastic and prolonged shell closure and a reduction in the mussel shell opening rate. Exposure of both mussel species to herbicide resulted in oxidative stress; an increase in superoxide dismutase enzymatic activity was detected. The most significant increase in SOD activity was observed after the exposure to the highest Roundup concentration. However, no correlation between the Roundup concentration and enzymatic activity was found. The use of unionid mussels to detect environmentally relevant concentrations of Roundup, as a part of biological early warning system for pollution, is limited, but they can serve to detect the incidental pollution of aquatic ecosystems with high concentrations of this herbicide. Full article

To establish meaningful policy directives for sustainable agrochemical use, we require baseline knowledge of the impacts of agrochemicals on non-target organisms. The widespread use of the herbicide glyphosate has resulted in the global presence of its metabolite, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA). AMPA is commonly found in water bodies, including freshwater systems. We investigated the effects of AMPA exposure on the survivorship, regenerative abilities, and locomotion of the brown planarian (Girardia tigrina), a water-dwelling flatworm commonly found in freshwater ecosystems. In a series of experiments, we bisected and then exposed planarians to realistic field doses of AMPA for seven days and then fourteen days. For the 14-day experiment, we exposed planarians to two concentrations consistent with the high and low ranges of concentrations observed in water systems. Compared to the control group, we found that planarians exposed to AMPA for fourteen days (un-bisected for the first seven days and recovering from bisection for the subsequent seven) exhibited slower regeneration from the tail segment. Our findings highlight the potential ecological impacts of AMPA contamination on planarian populations. Quantifying the effects of AMPA exposure on planarians contributes to our understanding of the ecological consequences of our current and common agricultural practices on our freshwater ecosystems. Full article

This study examines the impact of weeds on sweet corn, where weeds compete for essential elements, such as nutrients, water, sunlight, and space for growth. In general, the use of herbicides is meant to suppress weed growth. Soil organic matter is important for plant growth and affects herbicide persistence. This study aimed to explore the interaction between ametryn herbicide and soil organic matter content and its impacts on weed growth, herbicide persistence, and sweet corn yield. The experiment was initiated in 2022 at the Experimental Station of the Faculty of Agriculture, Padjadjaran University, Indonesia, using a Split-Plot Design in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), with three replicates. The experiments consisted of three levels of organic matter, i.e., low, medium, and high, and six levels of ametryn herbicide at 0.0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 kg a.i./ha. The results indicated that the apparent interaction between ametryn herbicide doses of 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 kg a.i./ha and the three levels of the organic matter content totally suppressed weed growth. However, the effects of the interaction between ametryn herbicide and organic matter content on the herbicide persistence and the sweet corn yield were not obvious. Ametryn yielded excellent positive results on sweet corn yield. Bioassay analysis showed that the lowest persistence of ametryn herbicide was in line with the highest content of organic matter. Full article

The number of effective herbicides available to farmers is steadily decreasing due to increasing herbicide resistance. It seems very important to address and effectively deal with the main weed management challenges (low crop yield and environmental pollution) by investigating the potential of newly introduced materials, such as biocompatible polymer-based nanoparticles. The current review aims to encourage agricultural or environmental researchers to conduct new research on the synthesis and application of modified herbicides, such as nanoherbicides, for application in weed management and to provide a comprehensive foundation on the topic. Such nanosystems could help with the promotion of the controlled release of active ingredients and extend their action time, resulting in a reduction in dose and application number; improve the physical and chemical characteristics of the herbicide to increase foliar adhesion; prevent degradation that results from environmental factors (such as sunlight, temperature, microorganisms, or pH); and decrease herbicide leaching and contamination of the environment. Furthermore, it has been indicated that some polymeric nanocarriers can penetrate biological barriers, including membranes and plant cell walls, and translocate across vascular tissues, resulting in a more efficient delivery of active ingredients. Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) is a biocompatible material that is easily decomposable by enzymes and fungi. PCL nanoparticles could be applied as nanocarriers of herbicides in agriculture due to their low toxicity, their potential for large-scale synthesis from inexpensive materials, their ability to dissolve herbicides, their high loading capacity, and their ability to help minimize the chemical decomposition of herbicides. Full article