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16 pages, 3239 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cover Crop Straw Interferes in the Retention and Availability of Diclosulam and Diuron in the Environment

by Gustavo Vinícios Munhoz-Garcia, Vanessa Takeshita, Rodrigo Floriano Pimpinato, Nicoli Gomes de Moraes, Daniel Nalin and Valdemar Luiz Tornisielo

Agronomy 2023, 13(7), 1725; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13071725 - 27 Jun 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1025

Abstract

Pre-emergent herbicides are applied directly in the soil or over the straw in no-till systems and can be retained, reducing the product’s availability. The current study characterizes the retention of diclosulam and diuron in forage turnip (FT), buckwheat (BW), and black oat (BO) [...] Read more.

Pre-emergent herbicides are applied directly in the soil or over the straw in no-till systems and can be retained, reducing the product’s availability. The current study characterizes the retention of diclosulam and diuron in forage turnip (FT), buckwheat (BW), and black oat (BO) straws. Radiometric techniques evaluated the sorption–desorption and leaching processes. Spectroscopic and microscopic methods characterized chemical and morphological alterations in the straw. Sorption rates (Kf) of diclosulam and diuron followed the order BO > BW > FT. Irreversible sorption (hysteresis < 0.7) occurs to diclosulam applied to BO straw. The BO straw showed porous structures, indicating physical entrapment of the herbicides. Straw fragments (<1 mm) increased the sorption of herbicides. The increase in straw amount (2.5 to 5 t ha⁻¹) reduced herbicide leaching to 18.8%. Interactions between chemical groups (C-Cl, C-F, and C-N) from herbicides with straw characterize a chemical barrier. The present research suggests that entrapment and chemical interaction are involved in the sorption–desorption process of herbicides, such as diclosulam and diuron, in the straw matrix, directly interfering with their availability in the environment. This process can reduce the herbicide environmental risk but can decrease weed control efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Agrochemicals on Soil)

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17 pages, 2363 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Applying an Organic Amendment on the Persistence of Tebuconazole and Fluopyram in Vineyard Soils

by Eliseo Herrero-Hernández, María Soledad Andrades, María J. Sánchez-Martín, Jesús M. Marín-Benito and María Sonia Rodríguez-Cruz

Agronomy 2023, 13(5), 1270; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13051270 - 28 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1055

Abstract

The persistence of fluopyram and tebuconazole has been studied in different crops and agricultural soils. However, the behaviour of these fungicides may be altered when they are applied as a combined formulation in organically amended vineyard soils under field conditions. The purpose of [...] Read more.

The persistence of fluopyram and tebuconazole has been studied in different crops and agricultural soils. However, the behaviour of these fungicides may be altered when they are applied as a combined formulation in organically amended vineyard soils under field conditions. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of applying spent mushroom substrate (SMS) or this residue re-composted with ophite (SMS + OF) on the adsorption, dissipation, and mobility of the fungicides fluopyram and tebuconazole in vineyard soils. Triplicate 10 m² plots per treatment were set up in two different vineyard soils in the eastern La Rioja region: silt loam (ARN1) and sandy loam (ARN2), respectively, with low organic carbon (OC) content. The organic residues SMS and SMS + OF were applied at doses of 25 and 100 Mg ha⁻¹. The adsorption distribution coefficients (K_d) increased when SMS and SMS + OF were applied, especially at the higher dose (100 Mg ha⁻¹). The dissipation curve of both compounds fitted a two-phase kinetic model, with a very fast initial dissipation rate, followed by slower prolonged dissipation during the second phase. The dissipation half-lives (DT₅₀) ranged between 4.7 and 26.3 days for fluopyram and between 2.3 and 6.3 days for tebuconazole in the different soils, increasing for fluopyram in the ARN1 amended with SMS and SMS + OF. The fungicide residues at 15–30 cm depth were lower in the unamended and amended sandy loam soil (ARN2), indicating that fungicides are dissipated mainly in the topsoil. The results indicate different dissipation mechanisms for both fungicides, as the adsorption by soil OC prevented the dissipation of fluopyram but facilitated the dissipation of tebuconazole, probably due to the formation of non-extractable residues. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Agrochemicals on Soil)

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20 pages, 3610 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Developing a Safety Management Method for Endosulfan Using Biochar in Ginseng Fields

by Gun-Hee Jung, Hyo-Sub Lee, Geun-Hyoung Choi, Sang-Won Park, Jin-Hyo Kim, Jae-Young Cho and Hoon Choi

Agronomy 2023, 13(3), 756; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13030756 - 05 Mar 2023

Viewed by 1294

Abstract

Endosulfan is an endocrine disruptor that negatively affects the human central nervous system. Although perennial root vegetable crops have high risks of endosulfan absorption and transfer in soil, safety management studies addressing this problem are lacking. We evaluated endosulfan absorption and transition, as [...] Read more.

Endosulfan is an endocrine disruptor that negatively affects the human central nervous system. Although perennial root vegetable crops have high risks of endosulfan absorption and transfer in soil, safety management studies addressing this problem are lacking. We evaluated endosulfan absorption and transition, as well as plant growth in ginseng cultivation soil, and developed a safety management method for field application. Total endosulfan residual concentrations in the soil and biochar 0.1–1.0% treatment groups were 52–73% after 532 d of spraying, and there was no reduction effect owing to biochar treatment. However, the endosulfan sulfate conversion rate decreased by 21.6–47.1% as the biochar amount increased. Further, there was a 47–95% reduction in the absorption and migration of endosulfan into ginseng in the biochar treatment compared to the control, demonstrating a reduction effect (p < 0.05). Ginseng grown in soil treated with 0.1% biochar showed no growth parameter differences compared to the control (p > 0.05); however, germination rates decreased to <59% when the soil was treated with ≥0.3% biochar. Soil treatment with 0.1% biochar can reduce endosulfan absorption and migration without adversely affecting crop growth. This treatment can be used at the cultivation site, depending on soil conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Agrochemicals on Soil)

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15 pages, 2280 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Pesticides and Mineral Fertilizers on the Bacterial Community of Arable Soils under Pea and Chickpea Crops

by Ludmila Khmelevtsova, Elizaveta Konstantinova, Shorena Karchava, Maria Klimova, Tatiana Azhogina, Elena Polienko, Margarita Khammami, Ivan Sazykin and Marina Sazykina

Agronomy 2023, 13(3), 750; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13030750 - 04 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1684

Abstract

Fertile Chernozems of Southern Russia are of great value, so it is important to study the impact of agricultural activities on the soil quality. Changes in taxonomic composition and α-diversity of microbial communities of agricultural soils occupied by pea (Pisum sativum L.) [...] Read more.

Fertile Chernozems of Southern Russia are of great value, so it is important to study the impact of agricultural activities on the soil quality. Changes in taxonomic composition and α-diversity of microbial communities of agricultural soils occupied by pea (Pisum sativum L.) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in response of cropland management were studied. A field experiment was conducted under four different conditions: (1) control, (2) mineral fertilizers (NPK) application alone, (3) pesticides application alone, and (4) fertilization combined with pesticides. The taxonomic composition of the soil bacterial community was studied by amplification and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The predominance of Actinobacteria (17.7–32.3%), Proteobacteria (17.7–28.2%), Planctomycetes (10.1–21.3%), Acidobacteria (5.3–11.1%), Chloroflexi (1.0–7.1%), Gemmatimonadetes (2.5–8.0%), Bacteroidetes (3.6–11.3%), and Verrucomicrobia (3.9–9.2%) was noted. Introduction of pesticides led to an increase in the relative abundance of Chlorobi and Gemmatimonadetes. The time of sampling was the main significant factor determining the differences in the structure of soil microbial communities. All treatments did not have a significant effect on the α-diversity of the studied soils. Thus, treatment with mineral fertilizers and pesticides does not have a significant negative effect on the bacterial community of cultivated soils. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Agrochemicals on Soil)

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12 pages, 578 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Response of Biochemical Properties in Agricultural Soils Polluted with 4-Chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic Acid (MCPA) under Severe Drought Conditions

by Manuel Tejada, Marina del Toro, Patricia Paneque, Isidoro Gómez, Juan Parrado and Concepción Benítez

Agronomy 2023, 13(2), 478; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020478 - 06 Feb 2023

Viewed by 862

Abstract

The soil moisture content can vary the behavior of biochemical activity and its incidence on herbicides. The objective of this manuscript was to assess, under controlled laboratory conditions, whether a prolonged 75-day drought can affect the behavior of 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) herbicide and [...] Read more.

The soil moisture content can vary the behavior of biochemical activity and its incidence on herbicides. The objective of this manuscript was to assess, under controlled laboratory conditions, whether a prolonged 75-day drought can affect the behavior of 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) herbicide and biochemical properties in three agricultural soils (Typic Xerofluvent, SA, Typic Haploxeralf, SB, and Vertic Chromoxert, SC). During the 75 experimental days, two irrigation levels were maintained: (1) watered soils during this experimental period, and (2) non-watered soils, where no water was supplied during the experimental period. The evolution of the herbicide and the biochemical properties were different depending on the soil moisture status. In the SA, the biochemical properties decreased until day 35 after initiating the experiment, whereas in the SB and SC, the biochemical parameters decreased until days 25 and 45, respectively. The application of herbicide to the non-watered soil increased the inhibition of biochemical properties. In non-watered SA, MCPA degradation occurred at day 45 after initiating the experiment, whereas in SB and SC, MCPA degradation occurred at days 35 and 60 after starting the incubation process, respectively. These results suggest that the soil persistence of MCPA under drought conditions increases, and consequently increases soil contamination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Agrochemicals on Soil)

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13 pages, 1528 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Impact of 2,4-D and Glyphosate on Soil Enzyme Activities in a Resistant Maize Cropping System

by Heather L. Tyler

Agronomy 2022, 12(11), 2747; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12112747 - 05 Nov 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1960

Abstract

Crop varieties resistant to multiple herbicides have been developed to provide better control of weed populations in row-crop fields where glyphosate resistance has become common. These new varieties include lines of maize (Zea mays) resistant to both glyphosate and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid [...] Read more.

Crop varieties resistant to multiple herbicides have been developed to provide better control of weed populations in row-crop fields where glyphosate resistance has become common. These new varieties include lines of maize (Zea mays) resistant to both glyphosate and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). As these herbicides have the potential to impact microbial communities in soil, there is concern that their co-application may have a greater effect on activities linked to soil nutrient cycling than if they were applied individually. To investigate this possibility, a field study was conducted on 2,4-D+glyphosate-resistant maize to determine the impact of 2,4-D alone and 2,4-D+glyphosate on extracellular enzyme activity in both bulk and rhizosphere soil. Maize was treated at the V2 and V8 developmental stages. Changes in soil activities were small in magnitude and inconsistent between timepoints. 2,4-D+glyphosate-treated plots had higher beta-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase, and phosphatase activities, but only after the V2 application in bulk soil in the first year of the study, while no significant effects were observed in the rhizosphere. Enzyme activities were more impacted by soil organic matter than herbicide treatments. These results suggest that, when applied at label rates, 2,4-D+glyphosate application will not adversely affect soil microbial enzyme activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Agrochemicals on Soil)

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18 pages, 1920 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chlorpyrifos Removal in an Artificially Contaminated Soil Using Novel Bacterial Strains and Cyclodextrin. Evaluation of Its Effectiveness by Ecotoxicity Studies

by Alba Lara-Moreno, Esmeralda Morillo, Francisco Merchán, Fernando Madrid and Jaime Villaverde

Agronomy 2022, 12(8), 1971; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12081971 - 20 Aug 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1707

Abstract

The removal of chlorpyrifos (CLP) from the environment is a matter of general interest, because it is one of the most widely used insecticides in the world but presents a high toxicity and persistence in the environment. Biological strategies are considered as a [...] Read more.

The removal of chlorpyrifos (CLP) from the environment is a matter of general interest, because it is one of the most widely used insecticides in the world but presents a high toxicity and persistence in the environment. Biological strategies are considered as a good option to remediate different environmental compartments. Assisted natural attenuation was used to find the ability of different kinds of soils to mineralise CLP. In this way, two soils showed the capacity to degrade CLP (R and LL up to 47.3% and 61.4% after 100 d, respectively). Thus, two CLP-degrading strains, Bacillus megaterium CCLP1 and Bacillus safensis CCLP2 were isolated from them, showing the capacity to degrade up to 99.1 and 98.9% of CLP in a solution with an initial concentration of 10 mg L⁻¹ after 60 d. Different strategies were considered for increasing the effectiveness of soil bioremediation: (i) biostimulation, using a nutrients solution (NS); (ii) bioaugmentation, using B. megaterium CCLP1 or B. safensis CCLP2; (iii) bioavailability enhancement, using randomly methylated β-cyclodextrin (RAMEB), a biodegradable compound. When bioaugmentation and RAMEB were jointly inoculated and applied, the best biodegradation results were achieved (around 70%). At the end of the biodegradation assay, a toxicity test was used to check the final state of the bioremediated soil, observing that when the degrading strains studied were individually inoculated into the soil, the toxicity was reduced to undetectable levels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Agrochemicals on Soil)

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Review

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33 pages, 955 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Interactions of Microplastics with Pesticides in Soils and Their Ecotoxicological Implications

by Aránzazu Peña, José Antonio Rodríguez-Liébana and Laura Delgado-Moreno

Agronomy 2023, 13(3), 701; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13030701 - 27 Feb 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3822

Abstract

In the middle of the 20th century, the production of plastics exploded worldwide because of their low cost and the versatility of their applications. However, since plastic debris is highly resistant to environmental degradation, a growing presence of plastics in all the ecosystems [...] Read more.

In the middle of the 20th century, the production of plastics exploded worldwide because of their low cost and the versatility of their applications. However, since plastic debris is highly resistant to environmental degradation, a growing presence of plastics in all the ecosystems has been confirmed. Among them, plastic particles < 5 mm, also known as microplastics (MPs), are of special concern because they are dispersed in aerial, terrestrial and aquatic environments, being the soil the main environmental sink of these contaminants. Due to their large specific surface area and hydrophobicity, MPs are considered good adsorbents for other environmental organic pollutants also present in terrestrial ecosystems, such as pharmaceuticals, personal-care products or pesticides with which they can interact and thus modify their environmental fate. In this review article, we examine the recent literature (from 2017 to 2022) to get a better understanding of the environmental fate of pesticides in soil (adsorption, mobility and/or degradation) when they are simultaneously present with MPs and the ecological risks on living organisms of the interactions between MPs and pesticides in soil. More studies are needed to fully understand the toxicological impact of the copresence in soil of pesticides and MPs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Agrochemicals on Soil)

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