Search Results (23)

Abutilon theophrasti Medikus, a pervasive weed infesting transgenic corn fields, exhibits increasing tolerance to glufosinate ammonium—a widely used herbicide in genetically modified cropping systems. This study employed a widely targeted metabolomics approach to investigate differential metabolic responses to glufosinate ammonium across two Abutilon theophrasti populations under identical treatments. A total of 2546 metabolites were detected, predominantly classified into alkaloids, amino acids and derivatives, and flavonoids, among other categories. Three pivotal metabolic pathways (Arginine and proline metabolism, Biosynthesis of amino acids, D-amino acid metabolism) were identified as critical regulators of herbicide response. These findings advance our understanding of weed metabolic adaptation to glufosinate ammonium and lay a foundation for elucidating potential herbicide resistance mechanisms in weeds. Full article

Glufosinate-ammonium (GLA) is a broad-spectrum herbicide widely used for weed control. However, its potential toxic effects on non-target aquatic organisms, especially in freshwater ecosystems, are of growing concern. This study investigates the toxic effects of GLA on Biomphalaria glabrata, a freshwater snail highly sensitive to environmental pollutants and commonly used as a model organism in toxicological studies. Acute toxicity tests revealed that the 96-h LC50 of GLA for adult snails was 3.77 mg/L, indicating moderate toxicity, while the LC50 for embryos was 0.01576 mg/L, indicating extremely high toxicity. Chronic exposure experiments further showed that at high concentrations (0.5 mg/L), the shell diameter and body weight of the snails not only failed to increase but also decreased, and they ceased to lay eggs. Moreover, their hepatopancreas and gonads suffered significant damage. Even at an environmentally relevant concentration of 0.05 mg/L, the body length, body weight, and reproductive capacity of the snails were inhibited, and damage to the hepatopancreas and gonads was observed. These findings provide important data for assessing the potential risks of GLA to aquatic ecosystems and offer a scientific basis for formulating environmental protection policies and optimizing herbicide usage standards. Full article

Integrated rice–fish farming, crucial for sustainable agriculture, relies on the judicious use of pesticide. This study evaluates the toxicity of six common rice-field pesticides on Procypris merus (rice flower carp), a key species in these systems. We conducted acute and chronic toxicity tests, assessing survival, growth, oxidative stress (SOD, CAT, MDA, 8-OHdG), and neurotoxicity (AChE). Results revealed a spectrum of toxicity: abamectin and trifloxystrobin were highly toxic; pretilachlor was moderately so; and glufosinate-ammonium, triflumezopyrim, and thiazole zinc were low. Notably, triflumezopyrim induced significant oxidative stress and DNA damage, while all three low-toxicity pesticides inhibited AChE activity, indicating potential neurotoxicity. Despite these effects, all observed toxicities were reversible within 7–14 days. Considering that the tested concentrations exceeded typical field application rates, glufosinate-ammonium, triflumezopyrim, and thiazole zinc are deemed relatively safe for P. merus at recommended dosages. Our findings provide critical insights for optimizing pesticide selection in rice–fish farming, balancing pest control with ecological safety, thereby informing sustainable agricultural practices. Full article

SQUAMOSA promoter-binding protein-like (SPL) transcription factors play a critical role in the regulation of gene expression and are indispensable in orchestrating plant growth and development while also improving resistance to environmental stressors. Although it has been identified across a wide array of plant species, there have been no comprehensive studies on the SPL gene family in centipedegrass [Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack.], which is an important warm-season perennial C4 turfgrass. In this study, 19 potential EoSPL genes in centipedegrass were identified and assigned the names EoSPL1-EoSPL19. Gene structure and motif analysis demonstrated that there was relative consistency among the branches of the phylogenetic tree. Five pairs of segmental duplication events were detected within centipedegrass. Ten EoSPL genes were predicted to be targeted by miR156. Additionally, the EoSPL genes were found to be predominantly expressed in leaves and demonstrated diverse responses to abiotic stress (salt, drought, glufosinate ammonium, aluminum, and cold). This study offers a comprehensive insight into the SPL gene family in centipedegrass, creating a foundation for elucidating the functions of EoSPL genes and investigating their involvement in abiotic stress responses. Full article

Chemical desiccation is widely used in agriculture to anticipate harvest and mitigate the effects of adverse environmental conditions. It is applied to both grains and seeds. Although this practice is widely used, there are still significant gaps in understanding the effects of different herbicide application times on seed quality and plant physiological responses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different herbicide application times on cowpea, focusing on seed quality, physiological responses, and biochemical composition, including chlorophylls, carotenoids, sugars, and proline, under nocturnal desiccation. In the first experiment, eight herbicides and two mixtures were applied at night: diquat, flumioxazin, diquat + flumioxazin, glufosinate ammonium, saflufenacil, carfentrazone, diquat + carfentrazone, atrazine, and glyphosate. All of the tested herbicides caused a reduction in normal seedling formation, with the diquat + carfentrazone combination resulting in 100% abnormal seedlings. A significant decrease in chlorophyll levels (chlorophyll a: 63.5%, chlorophyll b: 50.2%) was observed using diquat, which indicates damage to photosynthetic processes, while the carotenoid content increased. Total soluble sugars and proline were also negatively impacted, reflecting physiological stress and metabolic changes in seedlings. In the second experiment, three application times were tested with diquat, diquat + flumioxazin, and diquat + carfentrazone. Nocturnal application showed the most significant reduction in chlorophyll levels and increased carotenoid levels. Application at noon and late afternoon also significantly changed the soluble sugar and proline levels. These results indicate that the herbicide application time directly influences the seeds’ physiological quality. Full article

Glufosinate-ammonium (GLA), an organophosphate herbicide, is released at high concentrations in the environment, leading to concerns over its potential genotoxic effects. However, few articles are available in the literature reporting the possible cellular and nuclear effects of this compound. We assessed, by in vitro and in vivo micronucleus assays, the genotoxicity of GLA on cultured human lymphocytes and Lymnaea stagnalis hemocytes at six concentrations: 0.010 (the established acceptable daily intake value), 0.020, 0.050, 0.100, 0.200, and 0.500 µg/mL. In human lymphocytes, our results reveal a significant and concentration-dependent increase in micronuclei frequency at concentrations from 0.100 to 0.500 μg/mL, while in L. stagnalis hemocytes, significant differences were found at 0.200 and 0.500 μg/mL. A significant reduction in the proliferation index was observed at all tested concentrations, with the only exception of 0.010 μg/mL, indicating that the exposure to GLA could lead to increased cytotoxic effects. In L. stagnalis, a significant reduction in laid eggs and body growth was also observed at all concentrations. In conclusion, we provided evidence of the genomic and cellular damage induced by GLA on both cultured human lymphocytes and a model organism’s hemocytes; in addition, we also demonstrated its effects on cell proliferation and reproductive health in L. stagnalis. Full article

The skin sensitization potential of agrochemicals can be assessed using laboratory methods such as the keratinocyte activation assay so that their use in regulatory toxicology might replace experimental animal testing. Here, we evaluated the skin sensitization potential of 11 agrochemicals by using an antioxidant response element–nuclear factor erythroid 2 luciferase assay in KeratinoSens and LuSens cells and applying a skin sensitization adverse outcome pathway (AOP). The KeratinoSens and LuSens assays consistently evaluated the skin sensitization potential of 10/11 agrochemicals with reference to animal testing databases. Benomyl, pretilachlor, fluazinam, terbufos, butachlor, and carbosulfan were correctly detected as sensitizers, and glufosinate ammonium, oxiadiazon, tebuconazole, and etofenprox were correctly detected as non-sensitizers. For diazinon, the skin sensitizing potential was positive in the KeratinoSens assay but not in the LuSens assay. These results suggest that the evaluation of in vitro skin sensitization using the AOP mechanism can be applied to assess active agrochemicals. Full article

Summer annual weed species in northern Australian summer fallows are frequently present at low densities and, increasingly, are glyphosate-resistant, creating the need for alternative herbicides for site-specific weed control. Alternative non-selective herbicide treatments are effective on problematic summer fallow weeds; however, many are yet to be evaluated as site-specific (spot spraying) treatments. This study aimed to identify herbicides that could be used in place of glyphosate to control larger/mature Chloris virgata and Sonchus oleraceus plants. The response of these weed species to 12 herbicide treatments was evaluated in pot experiments conducted over summer/autumn 2022. Despite herbicide treatments not being consistently effective across both species, there were instances where control was achieved by some herbicide treatments. S. oleraceus was controlled (i.e., ≤10% plant survival) by glufosinate-ammonium, paraquat and also with protoporphyrinogen-oxidase (PPO)-inhibiting herbicides saflufenacil, tiafenacil and trifludimoxazin. However, these results were not consistent in repeated studies or for C. virgata. Glyphosate was the only herbicide that controlled C. virgata. A glyphosate replacement as a spot-spraying treatment was not identified, and until further studies are more successful, alternative approaches are needed to preserve the ongoing effectiveness of this herbicide. Full article

Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn, commonly known as goosegrass or wiregrass, is a type of grass that is widespread in many parts of the world. The broad-spectrum herbicide glyphosate is most frequently used in Indonesian oil palm plantations to get rid of weeds and other undesirable plants. However, improper rotation of herbicide types by farmers has led to an increased risk of resistant weed emergence. This investigation tries to validate E. indica’s glyphosate resistance, investigate mutations in the EPSPS gene of the resistant biotype, and determine the type of herbicides that can control E. indica glyphosate-resistant biotypes. The whole plant pot test method was used to measure the resistance level, while DNA sequencing using the PCR method was conducted on all samples to identify mutations in the EPSPS gene of the resistant biotype. The study results showed that all biotypes of E. indica were identified as resistant to glyphosate but susceptible to propaquizafop, ametryn, and sulfentrazone herbicides. Several biotypes, such as the North Sumatra biotype, were identified as having multiple resistances to glyphosate, paraquat, and ammonium glufosinate. Thr102Iso and Pro106Ser amino acid substitutions were found in the EPSPS gene of E. indica-resistant biotypes. The findings of this study showed that E. indica was resistant to paraquat and ammonium glufosinate; further research is required to determine the mechanism. Full article

Chrysanthemum is one of the most popular flowers worldwide and has high aesthetic and commercial value. However, the cultivated varieties of chrysanthemum are hexaploid and highly heterozygous, which makes gene editing and gene function research difficult. Gojo-0 is a diploid homozygous line bred from a self-compatible mutant of Chrysanthemum seticuspe and is expected to become a model plant of the genus Chrysanthemum. After assessment of different growth regulator combinations, the optimal concentrations of α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 6-benzyladenine (6-BA) in the regeneration system were 1.0 mg·L⁻¹ and 0.2 mg·L⁻¹, respectively. In the genetic transformation system, the selected concentrations of kanamycin, hygromycin and glufosinate-ammonium were 10 mg·L⁻¹, 2.5 mg·L⁻¹ and 0.6 mg·L⁻¹ for bud generation and 12 mg L⁻¹, 1.5 mg·L⁻¹ and 0.5 mg·L⁻¹ for rooting. The transgenic plants were verified by not only PCR detection and GUS staining, but also identification of the T-DNA insertion locus using high-throughput sequencing. Our results lay the foundation for gene functional research on chrysanthemum and will help with the identification of transgenic plants. Full article

The aim of this study was to develop a method for the determination of glyphosate, its metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), and glufosinate ammonium residues in beebread samples, which could then be used to assess bees’ exposure to their residues. The complexity of beebread’s matrix, combined with the specific properties of glyphosate itself, required careful selection and optimization of each analysis step. The use of molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MIP-SPE) by AFFINIMIP glyphosate as an initial clean-up step significantly eliminated matrix components and ensured an efficient derivatization step. Colorless beebread extracts were derivatized by the addition of 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (FMOC-Cl). After derivatization, in order to remove FMOC-OH and residual borate buffer, a solid-phase extraction (SPE) clean-up step using Oasis HLB was carried out. Instrumental analysis was performed by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The method was validated according to the SANTE/11312/2021 guideline at concentrations of 5, 10, and 100 µg/kg, and satisfactory recovery (trueness) values (76–111%) and precision (RSDr) ≤ 18% were obtained. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 5 µg/kg for AMPA and glufosinate ammonium and 10 µg/kg for glyphosate. The method was positively verified by the international proficiency test. Analysis of beebread samples showed the method’s usefulness in practice. The developed method could be a reliable tool for the assessment of beebread’s contamination with residues of glyphosate, its metabolite AMPA, and glufosinate ammonium. Full article

Globally, the quality of agricultural soils is in decline as a result of mismanagement and the overuse of agrichemicals, negatively impacting crop yields. Agaricus subrufescens Peck is widely cultivated as an edible and medicinal mushroom; however, its application in soil bioremediation and amendment remains insufficiently studied. In order to determine if A. subrufescens can positively impact agricultural soils, we designed two experiments: the first, a glasshouse experiment investigating the ways in which A. subrufescens production alters soil nutrients and soil health; the second, a laboratory experiment investigating if A. subrufescens can degrade beta-cypermethrin (β-CY) and glufosinate ammonium (Gla), two widely used agrichemicals. The glasshouse experiment results indicated that the use of compost and compost combined with A. subrufescens led to increases in soil organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium compared to the control treatments (sterilized soil). However, the incorporation of A. subrufescens with compost resulted in significantly greater levels of both available nitrogen and available phosphorus in the soils compared to all other treatments. Laboratory experiments determined that the mycelium of A. subrufescens were unable to grow at concentrations above 24.71 μg/mL and 63.15 μg/g for β-CY and Gla, respectively. Furthermore, results indicated that fungal mycelia were able to degrade 44.68% of β-CY within 15 days, whereas no significant changes were found in the concentration of Gla. This study highlights that cultivation of A. subrufescens may be a sustainable alternative for the rehabilitation of agricultural soils, whilst providing an additional source of income for farmers. Full article

This study developed an analytical method to quantify glufosinate-P-ammonium (GLUF-P) in farmland soil using a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system with a fluorescence detector after derivatization. GLUF-P in farmland soil was extracted with a mixed alkaline solution and was further derivatized with 9-fluorenyl methyl chloroformate (FMOC) at 25 °C for 1 h. The derivatives were separated with an ACE-C18 column, gradient eluted with a mobile phase A of acetonitrile and a mobile phase B of 0.2% phosphoric acid solution, and finally determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection at an excitation wavelength of 254 nm and an emission wavelength of 279.8 nm. The limits of detection (LODs) in the four types of soil ranged from 0.004 to 0.015 mg/kg, and the limits of quantification (LOQs) ranged from 0.0125 to 0.05 mg/kg. The mean recoveries of GLUF-P ranged from 94% to 119.8%, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) varied between 2.8% and 9.0% when the spiked concentrations of GLUF-P were 0.1 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg, respectively. The coefficients of regression for the linearity equation were more than 0.99. The proposed method had high sensitivity and could be used for the determination of GLUF-P residues in farmland soil. Full article

Understanding the effects of climate change on weed growth and herbicide activity is important for optimizing herbicide applications for effective weed control in the future. Therefore, this study examined how climate change affects the growth of Amaranthus patulus and the efficacy of soil and foliar herbicides at different temperatures. Although the control values for A. patulus differed between herbicides and temperature, the control values increased with increasing time after the herbicide treatments. Under growth conditions in which the temperature remained constant, the efficacy of soil-applied herbicides, ethalfluralin, metolachlor, linuron, and alachlor, on A. patulus was highest when the weeds were grown at high temperature. In particular, 100% control values of A. patulus were achieved in response to metolachlor treatments at the total recommended dosage in growth chambers at 35 °C. The efficacy of foliar herbicides, glufosinate-ammonium, bentazone, and mecoprop, on A. patulus was also highest when the plant was grown at high temperature, except for glyphosate isopropylamine, which had similar efficacy rates regardless of the temperature. A. patulus was 100% controlled in response to glufosinate-ammonium, bentazone, and mecoprop at the recommended dosages in growth chambers at 30 and 35 °C. Under growth conditions in which the temperature changed from day to night, the efficacy of soil-applied herbicides, alachlor and linuron, on A. patulus was highest when the weeds were grown at high temperature. On the other hand, the efficacy of the soil-applied herbicides metolachlor and linuron on A. patulus was similar regardless of the temperature. The efficacy of foliar herbicides, glyphosate isopropylamine, glufosinate-ammonium, bentazone, and mecoprop, on A. patulus was highest when the weeds were grown at high temperature. Although herbicide efficacy varied depending on whether the weeds were grown at constant or alternating temperatures, herbicide efficacy was generally highest when the temperature was high. Full article

Plant-based bioherbicides could be an effective alternative to current chemical herbicides for sustainable agriculture. Therefore, this research evaluated the weed control efficacy and crop-weed selectivity of the new plant-derived bioherbicide WeedLock compared to commercial herbicides in glasshouse and field conditions. In the glasshouse, the herbicides applied were WeedLock (672.75, 1345.50, 2691.00 L ha⁻¹), glyphosate isopropyl-amine, and glufosinate-ammonium (1, 2, 4 L ha⁻¹), over the untreated (control) on six weeds and four crops. In the field trial, typical weeds were allowed to grow at a uniform density across plots (2.5 × 2.5 m), and WeedLock (1345.50, 2691.00 L ha⁻¹), glyphosate isopropyl-amine, and glufosinate-ammonium (2, 4 L ha⁻¹) were applied along with untreated plot (control). A randomized complete block design was set with four replications for glasshouse and field experiments. WeedLock at 1345.50 L ha⁻¹ showed efficacy similar to glyphosate isopropyl-amine and glufosinate-ammonium at 2 L ha⁻¹ for Ageratum conyzoides L. in the glasshouse. Applied herbicides killed all tested crops except Zea mays L. at 1345.50 L ha⁻¹ (WeedLock). WeedLock showed more than 50% efficacy at 35 days after spray, while 65% was produced by glyphosate isopropyl-amine and glufosinate-ammonium compared to the untreated plot (control). WeedLock has excellent potential to control weeds in both glasshouse and field conditions and showed a non-selective character. Full article