Fipronil residual content in the soil for the control of Oryzophagus oryzae in subsequent flooded rice crops

Abstract

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of fipronil (a.i.) residual content in the soil of flooded rice fields, for the control of Oryzophagus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in subsequent rice cultivations. In 2010/2011, plots (25x55 m) were installed with three treatments: 30 g fipronil (a.i.) 100 kg-1 seed; mixture of 1/3 treated seed (30 g fipronil 100 kg-1 seed) with 2/3 untreated seed equivalent to 10 g fipronil (a.i.) 100 kg-1 seed; and a control without insecticide application. The plots were regrown in 2011/2012, 2012/2013, and 2013/2014 without any insecticide application. The following variables were evaluated: number of larvae and adults from standard samples of soil and roots, and grain yield. In 2011/2012 and 2012/2013, the concentrations of fipronil and of its residues in the soil of plots were evaluated by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, and the metabolite fipronil-sulfide (≤ 1.1 μg kg-1) was detected. In the three seasons, after the use of seeds treated with 10 and 30 g fipronil, the average larval infestation of O. oryzae was 65.2 and 96.1% lower, and the average of rice grain yield was 16.9 and 25.5% higher than in the control plot, respectively. The residual fipronil content in the soil, mainly of the highest dose, effectively controls the insect.