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Modifications of Soil Microbial Activity and Triticonazole Biodegradation by Pesticide Formulation Additives
Author(s) -
Charnay MariePaule,
Tarabelli Laetitia,
Beigel Claude,
Barriuso Enrique
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq2000.00472425002900050032x
Subject(s) - chemistry , biodegradation , defoamer , microbial biodegradation , degradation (telecommunications) , environmental chemistry , pesticide , mineralization (soil science) , soil water , solvent , pesticide degradation , organic chemistry , microorganism , agronomy , dispersant , environmental science , biology , telecommunications , physics , bacteria , computer science , nitrogen , soil science , optics , genetics , dispersion (optics)
Pesticide seed coating represents an example where formulating agents can modify pesticide fate because they are jointly applied in the coating. The influence of additives used to formniate commercial pesticides on degradation in soil of triticonazole [5‐((4‐chlorophenyl) methylene)‐2,2‐dimethyl‐1‐(1H‐1,2,4‐1riazole‐1‐ylmethyl)cyclopentanol] was considered. The studied additives were three different surfactants, one antifoam, one polymer adhesive, and one solvent. Two doses of some formulating additives commonly included in the commercial formulations were used. The individual effects on overall microbial activity and on triticonazole degradation were monitored during laboratory incubations. Total microbial activity was monitored by respirometric measurements and total soil microbial biomass was determined by fumigation‐extraction. The 14 C‐triticonazole behavior was characterized by extraction and monitoring of mineralization kinetics. Only the solvent (propylene glycol) and the nonionic micellar surfactant significantly increased the quantities of organic C mineralized. Triticonazole degradation was modified only after the incorporation of formulation additives at high doses (equivalent to 1 g C additive kg −1 soil). The triticonazole degradation increased with the level of available organic C in the case of the solvent, arguing for degradation by a cometabolic pathway. Degradation decreased with the incorporation of the antifoam and the nonionic and anionic (sodiumalkylnaphthalensulfate) surfactants. High concentrations of formulation additives can modify triticonazole behavior in soils, but at the low levels (equivalent to 0.5 g C additive kg −1 soil), degradation data of triticonazole as an active ingredient alone can be used to describe formulated triticonazole behavior.