Use Of Atrazine Research Articles

Alternatives to Atrazine for Weed Management in Processing Sweet Corn

Atrazine has been the most widely used herbicide in North American processing sweet corn for decades; however, increased restrictions in recent years have reduced or eliminated atrazine use in certain production areas. The objective of this study was to identify the best stakeholder-derived weed management alternatives to atrazine in processing sweet corn. In field trials throughout the major production areas of processing sweet corn, including three states over 4 yr, 12 atrazine-free weed management treatments were compared to three standard atrazine-containing treatments and a weed-free check. Treatments varied with respect to herbicide mode of action, herbicide application timing, and interrow cultivation. All treatments included a PRE application of dimethenamid. No single weed species occurred across all sites; however, weeds observed in two or more sites included common lambsquarters, giant ragweed, morningglory species, velvetleaf, and wild-proso millet. Standard treatments containing both atrazine and mesotrione POST provided the most efficacious weed control among treatments and resulted in crop yields comparable to the weed-free check, thus demonstrating the value of atrazine in sweet corn production systems. Timely interrow cultivation in atrazine-free treatments did not consistently improve weed control. Only two atrazine-free treatments consistently resulted in weed control and crop yield comparable to standard treatments with atrazine POST: treatments with tembotrione POST either with or without interrow cultivation. Additional atrazine-free treatments with topramezone applied POST worked well in Oregon where small-seeded weed species were prevalent. This work demonstrates that certain atrazine-free weed management systems, based on input from the sweet corn growers and processors who would adopt this technology, are comparable in performance to standard atrazine-containing weed management systems.

Impact of atrazine prohibition on the sustainability of weed management in Wisconsin maize production.

Controversy has surrounded atrazine owing to its susceptibility to leaching and run-off, with regular calls for a ban or restrictions on its use. In the context of a decreasing trend in the percentage of US maize using no-till since 2008, coinciding with the trend of glyphosate-resistant weeds becoming problematic in the Midwestern United States, we empirically examine how atrazine use restrictions have impacted the diversity of weed management practices used by Wisconsin maize farmers. Using survey data from farms inside and outside atrazine prohibition areas, we found that prohibiting atrazine did not directly impact tillage practices, but rather it increased the adoption of herbicide-resistant seed, which then increased adoption of conservation tillage systems. We also found that prohibiting atrazine and using herbicide-resistant seed reduced the number of herbicide sites of action used. The results indicate that prohibiting atrazine reduced the diversity of weed management practices, which increased the risk of herbicide resistance. Our concern is that a regulatory policy to address one issue (atrazine in groundwater) has induced farmer responses that increase problems with another issue (herbicide-resistant weeds) that longer term will contribute to water quality problems from increased soil erosion and offset the initial benefits. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Atrazine Exposure and Reproductive Dysfunction through the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) Axis.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) are exogenous agents that alter endogenous hormone signaling pathways. These chemicals target the neuroendocrine system which is composed of organs throughout the body that work alongside the central nervous system to regulate biological processes. Of primary importance is the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis which is vital for maintaining proper reproductive function. Atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine) is a pre-emergent herbicide used to prevent the growth of weeds on various crops. This herbicide is reported to widely contaminate potable water supplies everywhere it is applied. As such, the European Union banned the use of atrazine in 2004. Currently the United States Environmental Protection Agency regulates atrazine at 3 parts per billion (ppb; μg/L) in drinking water, while the World Health Organization recently changed their drinking water guideline to 100 ppb. Atrazine is implicated to be an EDC that alters reproductive dysfunction by targeting the HPG axis. However, questions remain as to the human health risks associated with atrazine exposure with studies reporting mixed results on the ability of atrazine to alter the HPG axis. In this review, the current findings for atrazine’s effects on the HPG axis are examined in mammalian, anuran, and fish models and in epidemiological studies.

S-triazine degrading bacterial isolate Arthrobacter sp. AK-YN10, a candidate for bioaugmentation of atrazine contaminated soil.

The Arthrobacter sp. strain AK-YN10 is an s-triazine pesticide degrading bacterium isolated from a sugarcane field in Central India with history of repeated atrazine use. AK-YN10 was shown to degrade 99 % of atrazine in 30 h from media supplemented with 1000 mg L(-1) of the herbicide. Draft genome sequencing revealed similarity to pAO1, TC1, and TC2 catabolic plasmids of the Arthrobacter taxon. Plasmid profiling analyses revealed the presence of four catabolic plasmids. The trzN, atzB, and atzC atrazine-degrading genes were located on a plasmid of approximately 113 kb.The flagellar operon found in the AK-YN10 draft genome suggests motility, an interesting trait for a bioremediation agent, and was homologous to that of Arthrobacter chlorophenolicus. The multiple s-triazines degradation property of this isolate makes it a good candidate for bioremediation of soils contaminated by s-triazine pesticides.

Late-Season Weed Escape Survey Reveals Discontinued Atrazine Use Associated with Greater Abundance of Broadleaf Weeds

Atrazine has been used for control of many weeds, primarily broadleaf weeds, in U.S. corn fields since 1957. Recently, the adoption of glyphosate-resistant corn hybrids have led to glyphosate eclipsing atrazine as the most commonly used herbicide in corn production. However, the evolution and spread of glyphosate-resistant weeds is a major concern. Atrazine use in Wisconsin is prohibited in 102 areas encompassing 0.49 million ha where total chlorinated residues were found in drinking water wells at concentrations > 3 μg L−1. Atrazine has been prohibited in many of those areas for > 10 yr, providing an opportunity to evaluate weed community composition differences due to herbicide regulation. In question, has the abundance of broadleaf weeds increased, coupled with an increased reliance on glyphosate, where atrazine use has been discontinued? To answer this, an online questionnaire was distributed to Wisconsin growers in June and then weeds present in 343 fields in late July through mid-September in 2012 and 2013 were counted. Data were summarized for frequency, uniformity, density, and relative abundance to compare weed community composition in fields with discontinued vs. recent atrazine use. Growers used glyphosate in 70 vs. 54% of fields with discontinued vs. recent atrazine use, respectively (P = 0.021). Moreover, broadleaf weeds were found more frequently, (73 vs. 61%; P = 0.03), they had 50% greater in-field uniformity (P = 0.002), and density was 0.4 vs. 0.19 plants m−2(i.e., twofold greater; P < 0.0001) in discontinued vs. recent atrazine-use fields. Changes were most evident with troublesome glyphosate-resistant broadleaf weeds such asAmaranthusspecies and giant ragweed. In conclusion, weed community composition consisted of more broadleaf weeds in fields where atrazine has not been used in the recent decade coupled with greater glyphosate use. These results provide evidence of negative long-term implications for glyphosate resistance where growers increased reliance on glyphosate in place of atrazine.

Biodegradation of atrazine by three transgenic grasses and alfalfa expressing a modified bacterial atrazine chlorohydrolase gene.

The widespread use of atrazine and other s-triazine herbicides to control weeds in agricultural production fields has impacted surface and groundwater in the United States and elsewhere. We previously reported the cloning, sequencing, and expression of six genes involved in the atrazine biodegradation pathway of Pseudomonas sp. strain ADP, which is initiated by atzA, encoding atrazine chlorohydrolase. Here we explored the use of enhanced expression of a modified bacterial atrazine chlorohydrolase, p-AtzA, in transgenic grasses (tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, and switchgrass) and the legume alfalfa for the biodegradation of atrazine. Enhanced expression of p-AtzA was obtained by using combinations of the badnavirus promoter, the maize alcohol dehydrogenase first intron, and the maize ubiquitin promoter. For alfalfa, we used the first intron of the 5'-untranslated region tobacco alcohol dehydrogenase gene and the cassava vein mosaic virus promoter. Resistance of plants to atrazine in agar-based and hydroponic growth assays was correlated with in vivo levels of gene expression and atrazine degradation. The in planta expression of p-atzA enabled transgenic tall fescue to transform atrazine into hydroxyatrazine and other metabolites. Results of our studies highlight the potential use of transgenic plants for bioremediating atrazine in the environment.

Conservation Agriculture Based Practices Affect the Weed Dynamics in Spring Maize

In order to find out the alternative methods for the weed management in spring maize (Zea mays L.) in Terai Nepal, a study was carried out in conservation agriculture under maize-rice cropping system in Rampur, Nepal during 2013. The weeds number and dry weight were compared in tillage methods viz. conventional and no tillage; residue management viz. residue kept and removed; fertilizer doses viz. research recommended doses and farmer dose; and weed management viz. herbicide use and manual weeding. No tillage, residue kept and atrazine applied @ 1.5 kg a.i ha-1 as pre-emergence had significantly lower number and lower dry weight of grasses and broadleaf weeds as compared to conventional tillage, residue removed and manual weeding at an interval of one month. While the number and dry weight of sedges was not significantly influenced by tillage, residue and fertilizer management. Manual weeding had significantly less number and weight of sedges over atrazine use. The total number and dry weight of weeds were less in no tillage, residue retention and atrazine use over the conventional tillage, residue removed and manual weeding. It is concluded that no tillage, residue retention and atrazine use can be the alternative technologies for weed management.

Soil microbial community toxic response to atrazine and its residues under atrazine and lead contamination.

Intensive use of atrazine and extensive dispersal of lead (Pb) have occurred in farmland with chemical agriculture development. However, the toxicological effect of their presence on soil microorganism remains unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the impacts of atrazine or Pb on the soil microbiota, soil net nitrogen mineralization, and atrazine residues over a 28-day microcosm incubation. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index, typical microbe species, and a Neighbor-joining tree of typical species from sequencing denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) bands were determined across periodical sampling times. The results showed that the existence of atrazine or Pb (especially high concentration) in soils reduced microbial diversity (the lowest H value is 2.23) compared to the control (H = 2.59) after a 28-day incubation. The species richness reduced little (from 17~19 species to 16~17 species) over the research time. But soil microbial community was significantly affected by the incubation time after the exposure to atrazine or Pb. The combination of atrazine and Pb had a significant inhibition effect on soil net nitrogen nitrification. Atrazine and Pb significantly stimulated soil cumulative net nitrogen mineralization and nitrification. Pb (300 and 600 mg kg(-1)) accelerated the level of atrazine dissipation. The exposure might stimulate the significant growth of the autochthonous soil degraders which may use atrazine as C source and accelerate the dissipation of atrazine in soils.

Does the Use of Atrazine in Maize Grown Under Conservation Agriculture Adversely Affect Soybean Productivity in Maize-Soyabean Rotation in Zimbabwe?

Weed management challenges in the early years of conservation agriculture (CA) adoption may require the use of herbicides for farmers to realise the immediate benefits of CA practices. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of atrazine on soybean grown after maize in a maize-soybean rotation under conservation agriculture. Atrazine was applied at 1.8 kg ha-1 active ingredient (a.i), as a pre-emergence herbicide in the maize phase of the rotation. The study was conducted in Zimbabwe at Domboshawa Training Centre (DTC), Henderson Research Station (HRS) and University of Zimbabwe farm (UZ farm) over two seasons (2011/2012 and 2012/2013). Manual weeding was utilised to keep the study area weed free and eliminate interference from weeds. Weed density, weed biomass, soybean germination, soybean biomass and grain yield were measured. The lowest germination of soybean was recorded at 57% in 2011/2012 at DTC under atrazine + glyphosate + metolachlor in combination with manual weeding treatment. Previous atrazine treatment to maize showed no significant differences on soybean biomass accumulation and broadleaf weed density at all sites in both seasons. The highest soybean yields recorded were 3707 kg ha-1 at DTC in 2011/12 season in atrazine + glyphosate + metolachlor plus manual weeding treatment. Based on results obtained in this study it can be concluded that soybean can be grown in plots where atrazine was applied as a pre-emergent herbicide during the maize phase.

Soil mesocosm studies on atrazine bioremediation

Accumulation of pesticides in the environment causes serious issues of contamination and toxicity. Bioremediation is an ecologically sound method to manage soil pollution, but the bottleneck here, is the successful scale-up of lab-scale experiments to field applications. This study demonstrates pilot-scale bioremediation in tropical soil using atrazine as model pollutant. Mimicking field conditions, three different bioremediation strategies for atrazine degradation were explored. 100 kg soil mesocosms were set-up, with or without atrazine application history. Natural attenuation and enhanced bioremediation were tested, where augmentation with an atrazine degrading consortium demonstrated best pollutant removal. 90% atrazine degradation was observed in six days in soil previously exposed to atrazine, while soil without history of atrazine use, needed 15 days to remove the same amount of amended atrazine. The bacterial consortium comprised of 3 novel bacterial strains with different genetic atrazine degrading potential. The progress of bioremediation was monitored by measuring the levels of atrazine and its intermediate, cyanuric acid. Genes from the atrazine degradation pathway, namely, atzA, atzB, atzD, trzN and trzD were quantified in all mesocosms for 60 days. The highest abundance of all target genes was observed on the 6th day of treatment. trzD was observed in the bioaugmented mesocosms only. The bacterial community profile in all mesocosms was monitored by LH-PCR over a period of two months. Results indicate that the communities changed rapidly after inoculation, but there was no drastic change in microbial community profile after 1 month. Results indicated that efficient bioremediation of atrazine using a microbial consortium could be successfully up-scaled to pilot scale.

Atrazine degradation in boreal nonagricultural subsoil and tropical agricultural soil

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the natural atrazine degradation activity and the genetic potential in a soil profile spanning down to the groundwater zone, collected in Finland at a site where past use of atrazine has contaminated the groundwater, and in Indian agricultural topsoils having different histories of atrazine use.

Draft Genome Sequence of Atrazine-Utilizing Bacteria Isolated from Indian Agricultural Soil

We report the draft genome sequences of two tropical bacterial isolates capable of degrading the herbicide atrazine. Alcaligenes sp. strain EGD-AK7 and Arthrobacter sp. strain AK-YN10 were isolated from Indian agricultural soil in which sugarcane is grown, with a reported history of atrazine use. EGD-AK7 has the atzABCDEF genes and AK-YN10 has the trzN and atzBC genes for atrazine degradation.

Disposition of Atrazine Metabolites Following Uptake and Degradation of Atrazine in Switchgrass

Extensive use of the agricultural herbicide atrazine has led to contamination of numerous ground and surface water bodies. Research has shown that it can have a variety of negative impacts on numerous non-target organisms in the environment. Phytoremediation is one strategy that has been studied to remove atrazine contamination. This paper investigates the hypothesis that switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) can exude metabolites of atrazine after uptake and degradation, which has been suggested by prior research. Pots planted with switchgrass were treated with a 4 ppm solution of atrazine spiked with [14C]atrazine. After 4 days, switchgrass plants were transplanted to new pots with fresh sand. Four days later, the pots were sacrificed, and sand and plant samples were extracted. Plant and sand samples were analyzed for the presence of atrazine and its major metabolites. The percentage of radiotracer remaining as the parent atrazine was observed to decrease over the course of the study while the percentages of the metabolites were observed to increase. The presence of the metabolite cyanuric acid in a switchgrass phytoremediation system is reported for the first time.

Impact of Long-Term Atrazine Use on Groundwater Safety in Jilin Province, China

The long-lasting application of representative herbicide atrazine (ATR) has given rise to the accumulation of its residues in the groundwater. To investigate the impact of long-term ATR use on groundwater safety, the residues of ATR and its metabolites, desethylatrazine (DEA), deisopropylatrazine (DIA) and hydroxyatrazine (HA) were monitored in groundwater and top soil at the major corn growing region of Qian'an and Gongzhuling in Jilin Province, China. The residues of the target compounds were analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS. The limits of detection (LODs) of ATR, DEA, DIA, and HA were 0.5, 0.5, 5, and 0.5 ng L−1 in groundwater and 0.33, 0.33, 3.3, and 0.33 μg kg−1 in soil. The target compounds were found in 94% of groundwater samples and 100% of soil samples. The compounds detected most frequently in groundwater were ATR (89%), DEA (64%) and HA (17%), whereas in soil were ATR (97%), DEA (36%) and HA (97%). DIA was not detected in any determined groundwater and soil sample. Average residues were 106.8 ng L−1 for ATR, 0.9 ng L−1 for DEA and 0.3 ng L−1 for HA in groundwater, whereas 11.1 μg kg−1 for ATR, 0.4 μg kg−1 for DEA and 7.8 μg kg−1 for HA in soil. ATR residues detected in groundwater samples were below standards for drinking water quality (GB5749-2006, 2 μg L−1), while the total residues of ATR and its chloro-s-triazine metabolites (DEA and DIA) were below current WHO (World Health Organization) guideline value (GV, 0.1 mg L−1). In addition, concentrations of HA in groundwater were determined below current WHO GV (0.2 mg L−1). The results indicated that ATR is safe to be used in Jilin Province under the current application scheme. However, total residues of ATR and DEA were detected in nearly all wells, thus, it is necessary to pay attention on groundwater monitoring for ATR and its metabolites.

Ecological risk assessment of atrazine in North American surface waters

The triazine herbicide atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropyl-amino-s-triazine) is one of the most used pesticides in North America. Atrazine is principally used for control of certain annual broadleaf and grass weeds, primarily in corn but also in sorghum, sugarcane, and, to a lesser extent, other crops and landscaping. Atrazine is found in many surface and ground waters in North America, and aquatic ecological effects are a possible concern for the regulatory and regulated communities. To address these concerns an expert panel (the Panel) was convened to conduct a comprehensive aquatic ecological risk assessment. This assessment was based on several newly suggested procedures and included exposure and hazard subcomponents as well as the overall risk assessment. The Panel determined that use of probabilistic risk assessment techniques was appropriate. Here, the results of this assessment are presented as a case study for these techniques. The environmental exposure assessment concentrated on monitoring data from Midwestern watersheds, the area of greatest atrazine use in North America. This analysis revealed that atrazine concentrations rarely exceed 20 μg/L in rivers and streams that were the main focus of the aquatic ecological risk assessment. Following storm runoff, biota in lower-order streams may be exposed to pulses of atrazine greater than 20 μg/L, but these exposures are short-lived. The assessment also considered exposures in lakes and reservoirs. The principal data set was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey, which monitored residues in 76 Midwestern reservoirs in 11 states in 1992-1993. Residue concentrations in some reservoirs were similar to those in streams but persisted longer. Atrazine residues were widespread in reservoirs (92% occurrence), and the 90th percentile of this exposure distribution for early June to July was about 5 μg/L. Mathematical simulation models of chemical fate were used to generalize the exposure analysis to other sites and to assess the potential effects of reduction in the application rates. Models were evaluated, modified, and calibrated against available monitoring data to validate that these models could predict atrazine runoff. PRZM-2 overpredicted atrazine concentrations by about an order of magnitude, whereas GLEAMS underpredicted by a factor of 2 to 5. Thus, exposure models were not used to extrapolate to other regions of atrazine use in this assessment. The effects assessment considered both freshwater and saltwater toxicity test results. Phytoplankton were the most sensitive organisms, followed, in decreasing order of sensitivity, by macrophytes, benthic invertebrates, zooplankton, and fish. Atrazine inhibits photophosphorylation but typically does not result in lethality or permanent cell damage in the short term. This characteristic of atrazine required a different model than typically used for understanding the potential impact in aquatic systems, where lethality or nonreversible effects are usually assumed. In addition, recovery of phytoplankton from exposure to 5 to 20 μg/L atrazine was demonstrated. In some mesocosm field experiments, phytoplankton and macrophytes were reduced after atrazine exposures greater than 20 μg/L. However, populations were quickly reestablished, even while atrazine residues persisted in the water. Effects in field studies were judged to be ecologically important only at exposures of 50 μg/L or greater. Mesocosm experiments did not reveal disruption of either ecosystem structure or function at atrazine concentrations typically encountered in the environment (generally 5 μg/L or less). Based on an integration of laboratory bioassay data, field effects studies, and environmental monitoring data from watersheds in high-use areas in the Midwestern United States, the Panel concluded that atrazine does not pose a significant risk to the aquatic environment. Although some inhibitory effects on algae, phytoplankton, or macrophyte production may occur in small streams vulnerable to agricultural runoff, these effects are likely to be transient, and quick recovery of the ecological system is expected. A subset of surface waters, principally small reservoirs in areas with intensive use of atrazine, may be at greater risk of exposure to atrazine. Therefore, it is recommended that site-specific risk assessments be conducted at these sites to assess possible ecological effects in the context of the uses to which these ecosystems are put and the effectiveness and cost-benefit aspect of any risk mitigation measures that may be applied.

Alterations in activity and mRNA expression of acetylcholinesterase in the liver, kidney and gill of common carp exposed to atrazine and chlorpyrifos

Insecticides and herbicides are widely used in modern agricultural production. The intensive use of insecticide chlorpyrifos (CPF) and herbicide atrazine (ATR) has resulted in serious environmental problems. Herein, we investigated alteration in activity and mRNA levels of AChE in the liver, kidney and gill from common carp after 40d exposure to CPF and ATR alone or in combination and 20d recovery treatment. Results indicated that activity and mRNA levels of AChE at all high-dose groups have been significantly decreased after CPF and ATR alone or ATR/CPF mixture exposure, and the changes were improved in the end of recovery tests in varying degrees, the activity and gene expression of AChE in the joint toxicity of ATR and CPF groups were significantly lower than that in the single toxicant group. Our study suggests that the decrease of AChE activity observed at all high-dose groups (CPF and ATR alone or in combination) may be directly related to a lower AChE expression, and the joint toxicity of ATR and CPF is higher than ATR and CPF alone.

English

Affluent use of herbicide such as Atrazine especially in corn farms must be supplemented with water and soil resources. This research was conducted in a pilot farm of Chamran University, Faculty of Water Science Engineering, Ahvaz, Iran. This research investigated transmission of the dynamic use of atrazine in various depths of soil in growth period and after growth period. Also, atrazine transmission potentiality and existence from root zone and leaching estimation and chemistry model-pesticide (LEACHP) model of simulating atrazine concentration was evaluated. This research was performed in the form of full stochastically factorial form with three repetitions. So, in the time periods of 30, 60 and 175 days, the remaining atrazine was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method  using soil samples (from depths of 0 to 125 cm in 25 cm layers in four times). Results showed that atrazine concentration in soil decreased with time lapse. For comparison of the observed and predicted data by LEACHP model, ME, MEF, EMSE and CRM statistical index were used. All the data obtained at the end of season for the different statistical index were 2.8, 0.96, 1.4 and 0.66 respectively, and a different depth of soil was obtained for level 2 irrigation. The simulation results show relatively good fitness with the observed data, as such, the LEACHP model could be used for simulation of atrazine movement and its dynamic transmission in soil for farm management.   Key words: Atrazine, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), leaching estimation and chemistry model-pesticide (LEACHP) model, herbicide.

Terbuthylazine and other triazines in Italian water resources

The concern on the presence of pesticides in Italian water resources historically broke out around 1980 after severe episodes of ambient, raw water and drinking water contamination due to some herbicides, atrazine (ATR), its metabolites desethylatrazine (DEA) and deisopropylatrazine (DIA), simazine, cyanazine, bentazone, molinate, which affected mainly the maize, grain and rice producing floodplains and karst areas of the northern Regions. Due to the risks of human exposure, in the early 1990 the use of atrazine was banned in Italy and was replaced by terbuthylazine (TERB). In a few years, TERB became a chemical of concern, together with its main metabolite desethylterbuthylazine (DET), because of alerting detections in surface and groundwater resources. Up to now, the risk of contamination of water resources by TERB, DET, DEA and, in some extent ATR, is of relevance in Italy due to their present and past wide employment in agriculture, the discharges or seepages in particularly vulnerable areas, their unfavorable intrinsic properties, e.g. poor sorption and high persistence, their mobility by drift, leaching and runoff in vadose zones, aquifers and surface water. So, unsurprisingly, results from national monitoring of ambient water and raw water indicate that TERB, DET, DEA and residual ATR, despite its withdrawal, are detected at remarkable frequencies and, sometimes, at levels higher than pesticide quality standards under the Italian Decrees for the protection of surface water (specifically, raw waters doomed at the drinking water abstraction), groundwater and drinking water (tap water), that is 0.1–0.5μg/l for individual pesticides and for total pesticides, respectively, including relevant metabolites. On the other hand, in these last years, the control measures in drinking water production adopted by the waterworks Companies and the regional and central health Authorities, also in the view of the recent WHO approaches under the Water Safety Plans, ensure that levels of any pesticide residue (also involving TERB, DET, DEA, ATR) in finished tap water meet parametric values for pesticides. Therefore, in these last years, no derogation to the parametric values for drinking water has been required. The aim of this paper is to contribute to widen the knowledge on the water impact of these important water pollutants giving sound details on present usages, levels and frequencies of detection in water bodies in Italy, on their key chemiodynamic properties, e.g. soil half-lives (DT50) and soil to organic carbon partition (Koc) available in the open literature, particularly for TERB metabolites, and some details on legal provision adopted at the national level. In fact, a more effective protection of water supplies, particularly against TERB and DET, has been pursued in the late 2000s by the Italian Health Ministry through the adoption of consistent provisions aimed at mitigating emissions of TERB in routine agricultural activities, and by the Italian Ministry of the Environment through the adoption of specific Environmental Quality Standards for TERB and its metabolite DET, ATR, SIM for the protection of surface waters.

Regression Models for Estimating Concentrations of Atrazine plus Deethylatrazine in Shallow Groundwater in Agricultural Areas of the United States

Tobit regression models were developed to predict the summed concentration of atrazine [6-chloro--ethyl--(1-methylethyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine] and its degradate deethylatrazine [6-chloro--(1-methylethyl)-1,3,5,-triazine-2,4-diamine] (DEA) in shallow groundwater underlying agricultural settings across the conterminous United States. The models were developed from atrazine and DEA concentrations in samples from 1298 wells and explanatory variables that represent the source of atrazine and various aspects of the transport and fate of atrazine and DEA in the subsurface. One advantage of these newly developed models over previous national regression models is that they predict concentrations (rather than detection frequency), which can be compared with water quality benchmarks. Model results indicate that variability in the concentration of atrazine residues (atrazine plus DEA) in groundwater underlying agricultural areas is more strongly controlled by the history of atrazine use in relation to the timing of recharge (groundwater age) than by processes that control the dispersion, adsorption, or degradation of these compounds in the saturated zone. Current (1990s) atrazine use was found to be a weak explanatory variable, perhaps because it does not represent the use of atrazine at the time of recharge of the sampled groundwater and because the likelihood that these compounds will reach the water table is affected by other factors operating within the unsaturated zone, such as soil characteristics, artificial drainage, and water movement. Results show that only about 5% of agricultural areas have greater than a 10% probability of exceeding the USEPA maximum contaminant level of 3.0 μg L. These models are not developed for regulatory purposes but rather can be used to (i) identify areas of potential concern, (ii) provide conservative estimates of the concentrations of atrazine residues in deeper potential drinking water supplies, and (iii) set priorities among areas for future groundwater monitoring.

Evaluation of Thiencarbazone-methyl– and Isoxaflutole-Based Herbicide Programs in Corn

Field studies were conducted in Louisiana and Mississippi in 2009 and 2010 to evaluate PRE herbicide treatments containing isoxaflutole or a prepackaged mixture of thiencarbazone-methyl : isoxaflutole (TCM : isoxaflutole) for weed control in corn. PRE treatments included the premix of TCM : isoxaflutole alone (30 : 80 g ai ha−1) and with atrazine (1,120 g ai ha−1), isoxaflutole alone (90 g ai ha−1) and with atrazine (1,120 g ai ha−1), and the premix of atrazine plus S-metolachlor (1,820 plus 1,410 g ai ha−1). POST treatments included glufosinate (450 g ai ha−1) or glyphosate (870 g ae ha−1) applied to 30-cm corn along with a no POST treatment. All PRE treatments controlled barnyardgrass, entireleaf morningglory, rhizomatous johnsongrass, Palmer amaranth, and velvetleaf 87 to 95% 4 wk after planting (WAP) and browntop millet and hophornbeam copperleaf were controlled 86 to 95% 8 WAP. Weed control was improved 8 and 20 WAP when either POST treatment was applied. TCM : isoxaflutole plus atrazine controlled barnyardgrass, entireleaf morningglory, Palmer amaranth, and velvetleaf at least 90% 20 WAP regardless of POST treatment. TCM : isoxaflutole plus atrazine provided greater control of browntop millet (90%) than isoxaflutole alone or with atrazine and atrazine plus S-metolachlor where control was 86% 20 WAP. Pooled across POST treatments, all PRE treatments containing isoxaflutole or TCM : isoxaflutole controlled rhizomatous johnsongrass better (74 to 76%) than atrazine plus S-metolachlor (67%). Corn yield following herbicide treatments ranged from 9,280 to 11,040 kg ha−1 compared with 9,110 kg ha−1 for the nontreated. Results indicate that TCM : isoxaflutole or isoxaflutole PRE is an option for use in a corn weed management program and may prolong the use of atrazine where weed resistance may be an issue. Where rhizomatous johnsongrass is a problem, TCM : isoxaflutole or isoxaflutole PRE can provide better control than atrazine plus S-metolachlor PRE. Without PRE treatments, glufosinate or glyphosate was needed for season-long weed control.