Nicosulfuron Treatment Research Articles

GO promotes detoxification of nicosulfuron in sweet corn by enhancing photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and antioxidant enzyme activity

Although graphene oxide (GO) has extensive recognized application prospects in slow-release fertilizer, plant pest control, and plant growth regulation, the incorporation of GO into nano herbicides is still in its early stages of development. This study selected a pair of sweet corn sister lines, nicosulfuron (NIF)-resistant HK301 and NIF-sensitive HK320, and sprayed them both with 80 mg kg–1 of GO-NIF, with clean water as a control, to study the effect of GO-NIF on sweet corn seedling growth, photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, and antioxidant system enzyme activity. Compared to spraying water and GO alone, spraying GO-NIF was able to effectively reduce the toxic effect of NIF on sweet corn seedlings. Compared with NIF treatment, 10 days after of spraying GO-NIF, the net photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (E), photosystem II photochemical maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm), photochemical quenching coefficient (qP), and photosynthetic electron transfer rate (ETR) of GO-NIF treatment were significantly increased by 328.31%, 132.44%, 574.39%, 73.53%, 152.41%, and 140.72%, respectively, compared to HK320. Compared to the imbalance of redox reactions continuously induced by NIF in HK320, GO-NIF effectively alleviated the observed oxidative pressure. Furthermore, compared to NIF treatment alone, GO-NIF treatment effectively increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in both lines, indicating GO induced resistance to the damage caused by NIF to sweet corn seedlings. This study will provides an empirical basis for understanding the detoxification promoting effect of GO in NIF and analyzing the mechanism of GO induced allogeneic detoxification in cells.

Early detection of nicosulfuron toxicity and physiological prediction in maize using multi-branch deep learning models and hyperspectral imaging

The misuse of herbicides in fields can cause severe toxicity in maize, resulting in significant reductions in both yield and quality. Therefore, it is crucial to develop early and efficient methods for assessing herbicide toxicity, protecting maize production, and maintaining the field environment. In this study, we utilized maize crops treated with the widely used nicosulfuron herbicide and their hyperspectral images to develop the HerbiNet model. After 4 d of nicosulfuron treatment, the model achieved an accuracy of 91.37 % in predicting toxicity levels, with correlation coefficient R² values of 0.82 and 0.73 for soil plant analysis development (SPAD) and water content, respectively. Additionally, the model exhibited higher generalizability across datasets from different years and seasons, which significantly surpassed support vector machines, AlexNet, and partial least squares regression models. A lightweight model, HerbiNet-Lite, exhibited significantly low complexity using 18 spectral wavelengths. After 4 d of nicosulfuron treatment, the HerbiNet-Lite model achieved an accuracy of 87.93 % for toxicity prediction and R² values of 0.80 and 0.71 for SPAD and water content, respectively, while significantly reducing overfitting. Overall, this study provides an innovative approach for the early and accurate detection of nicosulfuron toxicity within maize fields.

Impact of microplastics on nicosulfuron accumulation and bacteria community in soil-earthworms system

Microplastics (MPs) widely co-occur with various pollutants in soils. However, the data related to the impacts of MPs on terrestrial animal and microbial properties in pesticide-contaminated soils are few. In this study, the influence of MPs (0.01%, 0.1%, and 1%) on nicosulfuron concentrations in soil (10 µg/g) and earthworms were investigated, moreover, microbial community structure and diversity in soil and earthworm gut were also measured. After 30 days, the concentration of nicosulfuron in soil decreased to 1.27 µg/g, moreover, the residual concentration of nicosulfuron in soil (1%MPs and nicosulfuron) was only 44.8% of that in the single nicosulfuron treatment group. The accumulation of nicosulfuron in earthworms (1%MPs and nicosulfuron) was 7.37 µg/g, which was 1.82 times of that in the single nicosulfuron treatment group. In addition, 1% MPs decreased the richness and diversity of the soil and gut bacterial community in earthworms as well as altered microbial community composition, leading to the enrichment of specific microbial community. Our findings imply that MPs may change the migration of pesticides to terrestrial animal and as well as microbial diversity in earthworms and soil.

Asp376Glu Mutation and Enhanced Metabolism Controlling the Resistance to ALS-Inhibiting Herbicides in Ixophorus unisetus (J. Presl) Schltdl from the Bajio, Mexico

A study was carried out to determine the ALS (acetolactate synthase)-inhibitor herbicide resistance in the Mexican grass Ixophorus unisetus, a troublesome weed in corn crops in Mexico. First, the resistance was confirmed in field screening assays. Eight populations that survived nicosulfuron treatment at a field rate of 40 g ai ha−1 were labeled as putative-resistant. Dose–response trials demonstrated a high resistance in the eight populations (GR50 from 140.33 to 245.46 g ai ha−1). The synergism of malathion plus nicosulfuron demonstrated that the non-target-site resistance (NTSR) mechanism based on cytochrome P450 (Cyt-P450) was involved in five populations of I. unisetus. Molecular studies revealed that a single-nucleotide change occurs in the amino acid at position 376 (from GAT to GAG), which codifies from Asp-376 to Glu-376. This is the first time that Asp-376-Glu has been reported in this species. Assays in vitro and in vivo demonstrated I. unisetus cross-resistance to flucarbazone, penoxsulam, bispyribac-Na, and imazamox. No multiple resistance was found in two resistant populations exposed to different herbicides. Our results indicate that the lack of good control over Mexican grass in corn with ALS inhibitors is due to target-site mutation and NTSR mechanisms (Cyt-P450-mediated metabolism). A strategy should be established in Mexican fields to continue controlling this weed, including mechanical control practices and a good combination of the available pre- and post-emergence herbicides.

Target-site mutation and enhanced metabolism endow resistance to nicosulfuron in a Digitaria sanguinalis population

Digitaria sanguinalis is a competitive and annual grass weed that commonly infests crops across the world. In recent years, the control of D. sanguinalis by nicosulfuron has declined in Hebei Province, China. To determine the resistance mechanisms of D. sanguinalis to nicosulfuron, a population of D. sanguinalis where nicosulfuron had failed was collected from a maize field of Hebei Province, China. Whole-plant dose–response experiments demonstrated that the resistant population (HBMT-15) displayed 6.9-fold resistance to nicosulfuron compared with the susceptible population (HBMT-5). Addition of the glutathione S-transferase (GSTs) inhibitor 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD-Cl) significantly reduced the resistance level of the HBMT-15 population to nicosulfuron, and the GSTs activity of the HBMT-15 population was higher than the HBMT-5 population after nicosulfuron treatment. In vitro acetolactate synthase (ALS) enzyme experiments revealed that the nicosulfuron I50 value for the HBMT-15 population was 41 times higher than that of the HBMT-5 population. An Asp376 to Glu substitution in the ALS gene was identified in the HBMT-15 population. The HBMT-15 population had a moderate (2- to 4-fold) level of cross-resistance to three other ALS inhibitors (imazethapyr, pyroxsulam, and flucarbazone‑sodium), but was susceptible to pyrithiobac‑sodium. This study demonstrated that both an Asp376 to Glu substitution in the ALS gene and GSTs-involved metabolic resistance to ALS inhibitors coexisted in a D. sanguinalis population.

Effects of nicosulfuron on plant growth and sugar metabolism in sweet maize (Zea mays L.).

The sulfonylurea herbicide nicosulfuron is efficient, harmless and selective at low doses and has been widely used in maize cultivation. In this study, a pair of corn sister lines, HK301 (nicosulfuron-tolerence, NT) and HK320 (nicosulfuron-sensitive, NS), was chosen to study the effect of nicosulfuron on plant growth and sugar metabolism in sweet maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings. All the experimental samples were subjected to treatment with water or 80 mg kg–1 of nicosulfuron when the sweet maize seedlings grew to the four-leaf stage. Nicosulfuron significantly inhibited the growth of NS line. The content of sucrose and the activities of sucrose phosphate synthase and sucrose synthase in the two inbred lines increased differentially under nicosulfuron stress compared with the respective control treatment. After nicosulfuron treatment, the activities of hexokinase and 6-phosphofructokinase and the contents of pyruvic acid and citric acid in NS line decreased significantly compared with those of NT line, while the content of sucrose and activities of sucrose phosphate synthase and sucrose synthase increased significantly. The disruption of sugar metabolism in NS line led to a lower supply of energy for growth. This study showed that the glycolysis pathway and the tricarboxylic acid cycle were enhanced in nicosulfuron-tolerant line under nicosulfuron stress in enhancing the adaptability of sweet maize.

Responses of photosynthesis, antioxidant enzymes, and related gene expression to nicosulfuron stress in sweet maize (Zea mays L.).

Weed control in maize (Zea mays L.) crops is usually undertaken using the postemergence herbicide nicosulfuron. The toxicity of nicosulfuron on maize, especially sweet maize, has been widely reported. In order to examine the effect of nicosulfuron on seedling photosynthetic characteristics, chlorophyll fluorescence, reactive oxygen species production, antioxidant enzyme activities, and gene expressions on sweet maize, nicosulfuron-tolerant "HK310" and nicosulfuron-sensitive "HK320" were studied. All experiment samples were subjected to a water or 80mgkg-1 of nicosulfuron treatment when sweet maize seedlings grow to the stage of four leaves. After treatment with nicosulfuron, results for HK301 were significantly higher than those for HK320 for net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, leaf maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII, photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence, and the electron transport rate. These results were contrary to nonphotochemical quenching and intercellular CO2 concentration. As exposure time increased, associated effects also increased. Both O2·- and H2O2 detoxification is modulated by antioxidant enzymes. Compared to HK301, SOD, POD, and CAT activities of HK320 were significantly reduced as exposure time increase. Compared to HK320, the gene expression for the majority of SOD genes, except for SOD2, increased due to inducement by nicosulfuron, and it significantly upregulated the gene expression of CAT in HK301. Results from this study indicate that plants can improve photosynthesis, scavenging capabilities of ROS, and protective mechanisms to alleviate phytotoxic effect of nicosulfuron. Future research is needed to further elucidate the important role antioxidant systems and gene regulation play in herbicide detoxification in sweet maize.

Adaptation responses in C4 photosynthesis of sweet maize (Zea mays L.) exposed to nicosulfuron

Nicosulfuron is an ingredient in photosynthesis-inhibiting herbicides and has been widely used in corn post-emergence weed control. In the current study, a pair of sister lines, HK301 (nicosulfuron-tolerence, NT) and HK320 (nicosulfuron-sensitive, NS), was used to study the effect of nicosulfuron in sweet maize seedlings on C4 photosynthetic enzymes and non-enzymatic substances, expression levels of key enzymes, and chloroplast structure. Nicosulfuron was sprayed at the four-leaf stage, and water was sprayed as a control. After nicosulfuron treatment, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), NADP-malic dehydrogenase (NADP-MDH), NADP-malic enzyme (NADP-ME), pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK), and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activities of NT were significantly higher than those of NS. Compared to NT, malate, oxaloacetic acid, and pyruvic acid significantly decreased as exposure time increased in NS. Compared to NS, nicosulfuron treatment significantly increased the expression levels of PEPC, NADP-MDH, NADP-ME, PPDK, and Rubisco genes in NT. Under nicosulfuron treatment, chloroplast ultrastructure of NS, compared to that of NT, nicosulfuron induced swelling of the chloroplast volume and reduced starch granules in NS. In general, our results indicate that in different resistant sweet maize, C4 photosynthetic enzymes activity and key genes expression play a critical role in enhancing the adaptability of plants to nicosulfuron stress at a photosynthetic physiological level.

Responses of Detoxification Enzymes and Genes to Nicosulfuron Stress in Two Genotypes of Sweet Corn Differing in Nicosulfuron Tolerance

Nicosulfuron, a sulfonylurea herbicide is registered for use on field, controns many annual and perennial grass weeds. The accumulation of nicosulfuron will increase toxicity and induce unfavorable oxidative stress in plants. Acetolactate synthase (ALS, EC 2.2.1.6) and glutathione transferases (GSTs, E. C.2.5.1.18), which participate in detoxification of xenobiotics and limit oxidative damages of cellular macromolecules, are important groups of cytoprotective enzymes. This study aims to investigate the toxic effect of nicosulfuron on the detoxification enzyme activities and gene expressions in maize seedling. Specifically, Nicosulfuron-tolerant sweet inbred line ‘JP233’ and nicosulfuron-sensitive sweet inbred line ‘Z2H4’ are subjected to 80mg kg–1 nicosulfuron treatment when the fourth leaves are fully developed, and the resulting effects are compared to those processed by water. After nicosulfuron treatment, it is found that ALS and GST enzymes activities of Z2H4 are significantly lower than those of JP233. Compared to Z2H4, nicosulfuron treatment increases the expression levels of GST1, ALS1 and ALS2 genes in JP233. These results suggest that the increased transcription level of these detoxifying enzymes might play a vital role in reducing the toxicity of nicosulfuron and the oxidative stress induced by nicosulfuron in maize seedlings. The research will improve our understanding of the function of maize detoxification enzymes and genes in herbicide metabolism.

Reactive oxygen species, antioxidant enzyme activity, and gene expression patterns in a pair of nearly isogenic lines of nicosulfuron-exposed waxy maize (Zea mays L.).

Nicosulfuron is a post-emergence herbicide used for weed control in maize fields (Zea mays L.). Here, the pair of nearly isogenic inbred lines SN509-R (nicosulfuron resistant) and SN509-S (nicosulfuron sensitive) was used to study the effect of nicosulfuron on growth, oxidative stress, and the activity and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes in waxy maize seedlings. Nicosulfuron treatment was applied at the five-leaf stage and water treatment was used as control. After nicosulfuron treatment, the death of SN509-S might be associated with increased oxidative stress. Compared with SN509-R, higher O2·- and H2O2 accumulations were observed in SN509-S, which can severely damage lipids and proteins, thus reducing membrane stability. The effects were exacerbated with extended exposure time. Both O2·- and H2O2 detoxification is regulated by enzymes. After nicosulfuron treatment, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, ascorbate peroxidase (APX), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) of SN509-S were significantly lower than those of SN509-R. Compared to SN509-R, ascorbate content (AA), glutathione (GSH) content, GSH to glutathione disulfide ratios, and AA to dehydroascorbate ratios significantly declined with increasing exposure time in SN509-S. Compared to SN509-S, nicosulfuron treatment increased the transcript levels of most of the APX genes except for APX1, and in contrast to Gst1, upregulated the transcription of sod9, MDHAR, DHAR, and GR genes in SN509-R. These results suggest that on a transcription level and in accordance with their responses, detoxifying enzymes play a vital role in the O2·- and H2O2 detoxification of maize seedlings under nicosulfuron exposure.

Photosynthesis and physiology responses of paired near-isogenic lines in waxy maize (Zea mays L.) to nicosulfuron

Nicosulfuron is a post-emergence herbicide used for weed control in fields of maize (Zea mays L.). We used a pair of nearly isogenic inbred lines, SN509-R (nicosulfuron-resistant) and SN509-S (nicosulfuron-sensitive), to study the effect of nicosulfuron on waxy maize seedling. After the nicosulfuron treatment, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, leaf maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII, photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence, and the actual photochemical efficiency of PSII were significantly lower in SN509-S than those of SN509-R, contrary to intercellular CO2 concentration, stomatal limitation, and nonphotochemical quenching. Compared to SN509-R, antioxidant enzyme activities in SN509-S decreased significantly in response to the nicosulfuron treatment, while SN509-S exhibited an increased malondialdehyde content, which was associated with lower antioxidant enzyme activities. These results collectively suggest that the nicosulfuron-resistance mechanism was associated with photosynthetic rate, reactive oxygen species metabolism, and protective mechanisms.

Effects of nicosulfuron on growth, oxidative damage, and the ascorbate-glutathione pathway in paired nearly isogenic lines of waxy maize (Zea mays L.)

Nicosulfuron is a postemergence herbicide used for weed control in maize fields (Zea mays L.). We used the pair of nearly isogenic inbred lines, SN509-R (nicosulfuron resistant) and SN509-S (nicosulfuron sensitive), to study the effect of nicosulfuron on growth, oxidative stress, and the ascorbate-glutathione (AA-GSH) cycle in waxy maize seedlings. Nicosulfuron treatment was applied when the fourth leaves were fully developed and the obtained effects were compared to water treatment as control. After nicosulfuron treatment, compared to SN509-R, the death of SN509-S might be associated with increased oxidative stress, since higher O2− and H2O2 accumulations were observed in SN509-S. This in turn might have caused severe damage to lipids and proteins, thus reducing membrane stability. These effects were exacerbated with increasing exposure time. After nicosulfuron treatment, ascorbate peroxidase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, dehydroascorbate reductase, glutathione reductase, and guaiacol peroxidase of SN509-S were significantly lower than those of SN509-R. Compared to SN509-R, dehydroascorbate content, glutathione (GSH) content, and GSH to glutathione disulphide ratios significantly declined with increasing exposure time in SN509-S. Our results suggest that the rapid degradation of nicosulfuron in SN509-R results in only a small and transient increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS). In contrast, in SN509-S, reduced nicosulfuron degradation leads to increase ROS, while at the same time, the AA-GSH pathway is not activated.

Degradation of nicosulfuron using fenton and fenton-like reactions

Nicosulfuron, a sulfonylurea herbicide, was subjected to different Fenton reactions at pH of a nicosulfuron aqueous solution (pH 5). Usually, the optimal pH for the Fenton reaction is between 3 and 4, but the addition of acids is not environmentally acceptable. This is the reason why the reactions were performed at a higher pH value than usual. So, classical Fenton and Fenton-like reactions were applied as well as photo-Fenton and photo-Fenton-like reactions. In addition, microwave Fenton and Fenton-like reactions were used in nicosulfuron degradation. Influences of Fe2+ and Fe3+ concentrations, as well as hydrogen peroxide concentrations, were studied. The Fenton reaction was much faster and more efficient than the Fenton-like reaction, while the photo- Fenton reaction proceeded much faster and more efficiently than the Fenton reaction. The microwave-Fenton and microwave-Fenton-like reactions proceeded with increased efficiency in comparison to the Fenton and Fenton-like reactions. The phytotoxicity and acute toxicity of the reaction products of nicosulfuron oxidation by the photo-Fenton reaction were analyzed. The toxicity testing of nicosulfuron treatment by photo-Fenton process showed a decrease in phytotoxicity, while the acute toxicity tests showed that the samples after treatment had lower toxicity.

Photosynthetic physiological response of Radix Isatidis (Isatis indigotica Fort.) seedlings to nicosulfuron.

Radix Isatidis (Isatis indigotica Fort.) is one of the most important traditional Chinese medicine plants. However, there is no suitable herbicide used for weed control in Radix Isatidis field during postemergence stage. To explore the safety of sulfonylurea herbicide nicosulfuron on Radix Isatidis (Isatis indigotica Fort.) seedlings and the photosynthetic physiological response of the plant to the herbicide, biological mass, leaf area, photosynthetic pigment content, photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics, and P700 parameters of Radix Isatidis seedlings were analyzed 10 d after nicosulfuron treatment at 5th leaf stage in this greenhouse research. The results showed that biological mass, total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, and carotenoids content, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, PS II maximum quantum yield, PS II effective quantum yield, PS II electron transport rate, photochemical quenching, maximal P700 change, photochemical quantum yield of PS I, and PS I electron transport rate decreased with increasing herbicide concentrations, whereas initial fluorescence, quantum yield of non-regulated energy dissipation in PS II and quantum yield of non-photochemical energy dissipation due to acceptor side limitation in PS I increased. It suggests that nicosulfuron ≥1 mg L−1 causes the damage of chloroplast, PS II and PS I structure. Electron transport limitations in PS I receptor side, and blocked dark reaction process may be the main cause of the significantly inhibited growth and decreased photosynthetic rate of Radix Isatidis seedlings.

Study of the susceptibility of maize lines to some sulfonylurea herbicides

Maize lines are susceptible to different herbicides, what makes seed production more complicate. The susceptibility is depending in high extent on meteorological conditions. The objective of the study was to investigate genetic variability and correlation between phytotoxicity (EWRC evaluation), alterations in dry matter (DM), phenolics and soluble proteins (SP) in sets of 19 ZP lines, to nicosulfuron and foramsulfuron, with the aim to determine sensitivity of individual lines and the potential tolerance patterns during period 2006-2009. The negative impact of both herbicides reflects through DM increase, but in higher degree in nicosulfuron treatment. They also induced in average SP increase and decrease of phenolic?s content. According to different meteorological conditions present during examined four years, SP increase was followed by increased EWRC values at same lines, opposite to lines in which decrease of SP and increase of phenolic?s level could be tied to potential tolerance, what gives importance to testing of each individual maize line. Special attention must be given to application time (according to meteorological conditions and level of weed infestation). The decrease in SP level and increase of phenolics, together with lower EWRC values observed at some lines could be associated to tolerance patterns what was emphasized particularly during 2009, when visible injuries were absent.

고랭지에서 제초제 조합에 의한 사일리지용 옥수수의 생육특성, 건물수량, 사료가치 및 잡초방제에 미치는 영향

본 시험은 사일리지용 옥수수 재배시 일년생 잡초 제거를 위한 최적의 제초제조합을 선발하기 위하여 대조구(알라유제＋씨마네수화제(T1)), 메토라크롤유제(T2), 치오벤카브＋리누론유제(T3), 펜디유제(T4), 펜디＋리누론유제(T5), 프로피소크로르유제(T6), 니코설푸론액상수화제(T7), 프로피소크로르유제＋니코설푸론액상수화제(T8), 무처리(T9)의 총 9처리를 난괴법 3반복으로 축산기술연구소 대관령지소(표고 800m)에서 2년간(2001∼2002) 수행하였다. 사일리지용 옥수수의 생육특성을 보면 옥수수의 초장과 착수고는 처리에 따라 뚜렷한 차이를 나타내지 않았으며, 건물 함량과 암이삭 비율은 니코설푸론 액상수화제(T7) 처리구에서 각각 31.4%와 52.7%로 가장 높게 나타났다. 사일리지용 옥수수의 건물수량을 보면 프로피소크로르유제＋니코설푸론액상수화제(T8) 처리구에서 16,503kg/ha으로 가장 높게 나타났다. 각 제초제 조합에 의한 일년생 잡초의 방제율은 프로피소크로르유제＋니코설푸론액상수화제(T8) 처리구에서 96.4%로 가장 높게 나타났다. 이상의 결과로 건물수량, 잡초방제 및 사료가치 등을 고려하여 볼 때 프로피소크로르유제＋니코설푸론액상수화제 처리구가 고랭지에서 사일리지용 옥수수 재배시 최적의 제초제 조합으로 생각된다. This study was conducted to select the optimum herbicide combination on agronomic characteristics, dry matter yield, nutritive values and weed control of the silage corn at Daekwanryong branch(altitude 800m a.s.1.) of National Livestock Research Institute from 2001 to 2002. The treatments consisted of control, metolachlor, thiobencarb＋linuron, pendimethalin, pendimethalin＋linuron, propisochlor, nicosulfuron, propisochlor＋nicosulfuron, and non treatment. The plant height and ear height of corn were no significant different among herbicide combination. However, the highest dry matter(DM) and ear rate of silage corn were observed with nicosulfuron treatment; 31.4% and 52.7%, respectively. Also, Dry matter yield of silage corn was the highest of 16,503kg/ha with propisochlor＋nicosulfuron(P<0.05). The control of annual weeds was the greatest of 96.4% in the plots of propisochlor＋nicosulfuron application. These results indicate that propisochlor＋nicosulfuron treatment would be the optimum combination for dry matter yield, weed control and nutritive value of silage corn in alpine area.

Nicosulfuron Tolerance in Sweet Corn (Zea mays) as Affected by Hybrid, Rootworm Insecticide, and Nicosulfuron Treatment

Sweet corn tolerance to nicosulfuron as affected by interactions between nicosulfuron applied postemergence (POST), sweet corn hybrid, and rootworm insecticide applied at planting was determined in 1992 and 1993 field experiments. Sweet corn vigor was reduced as nicosulfuron rate increased from 35 to 140 g ai/ha. Sweet corn vigor was reduced 4% more by nicosulfuron with oil emulsifier mixture than nicosulfuron with non-ionic surfactant one week after treatment (WAT). Adjuvant selection did not influence nicosulfuron injury to sweet corn 2 WAT. Nicosulfuron applied postemergence directed (PDIR) caused less sweet corn injury than nicosulfuron applied broadcast POST. ‘Jubilee’ sweet corn was more sensitive to nicosulfuron and insecticide treatments than ‘Excellency’ or ‘Green Giant 40.’ Nicosulfuron reduced sweet corn vigor twice as much when terbufos was applied at planting compared to no insecticide at planting. Neither chlorpyrifos or chlorethoxyfos at planting increased sweet corn injury due to nicosulfuron compared to no insecticide. Excellency and Green Giant 40 yields were not reduced by any treatment. Yields were reduced only when nicosulfuron was applied to Jubilee treated with terbufos. Jubilee yield reduction from nicosulfuron and terbufos was prevented by applying nicosulfuron PDIR.

Reducing Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) Interference in Corn (Zea mays) with Herbicides and Cultivation

Field studies were conducted in 1990 and 1991 to evaluate johnsongrass control and interference in corn using combinations of nicosulfuron, EPTC + dichlormid, and cultivation. Nicosulfuron applied to 30-cm-tall rhizome johnsongrass provided greater control and corn yield than a later application to 60-cm-tall johnsongrass. Johnsongrass control and corn yield within the later nicosulfuron treatment were improved by a preplant application of EPTC. EPTC and/or cultivation alone provided less johnsongrass control and lower corn yield than nicosulfuron or handweeding.

2,4-D Safening of Nicosulfuron and Terbufos Interaction in Corn (Zea mays)

Normal field applications of both terbufos and nicosulfuron can cause decreased corn tolerance to nicosulfuron because terbufos inhibits nicosulfuron metabolism. In greenhouse studies, applications of 2,4-D at 0.07, 0.14, and 0.28 kg/ha with nicosulfuron reduced terbufos induced foliar injury by more than 50%. Plants treated with nicosulfuron, terbufos, and 2,4-D had significantly higher shoot dry weights than those treated with nicosulfuron and terbufos. When 2,4-D was applied sooner than 24 h before nicosulfuron application or later than 24 h after nicosulfuron application, it did not prevent the interaction. Uptake of 14C-nicosulfuron was increased by the presence of terbufos but was unaffected by 2,4-D. Translocation of 14C-nicosulfuron was low with the highest amounts occurring in the nicosulfuron plus terbufos treatment. Terbufos reduced metabolism of nicosulfuron at 4 and 24 h after treatment compared to plants without terbufos. Metabolism of nicosulfuron in plants treated with terbufos was increased by 2,4-D to a rate equivalent to that in plants not treated with terbufos.