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In crop control, weed is considered as a harmful plant. Weed can be controlled by applying the biochemical compound from allelopathic plants, which are environmentally friendly. In this study, a type of allelopathic plant, Sembung Vine (Mikania micrantha) that grow in Bukit Lama Palembang, was processed as a bioherbicide. A phytotoxicity test was conducted on the plant extract in methanol and extract mixture of n-hexane: ethyl acetate. The test was applied on the mung bean (Vigna radiata) seeds that were grown on a petri dish to analyze the germination, seedlings length, inhibitory effect, and biomass weight for methanol extract at 5; 10; 15; 20 % (w/v). The crude methanol extract was fractionated with the mixture of n-hexane: ethyl acetate (1:0; 9:1; 8:2; 7:3; 6:4; and 0:1). Each sample was tested at 4,000 ppm crude extract concentration to determine phytotoxicity effects. All samples were in triplicates. The methanol extract showed the highest inhibition of 99.4 % at 20 % (w/v). The fraction of M.mircrantha extract with n-hexane: ethyl acetate eluent showed the highest inhibition of 55.48% at 6:4 ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abandoned herbicide factory site was used as an example of how planning should be considered for development of the site for transportation use in Dalian, China. Exposure pathways and parameters for three types of transportation use (land for a traffic hub, land for an urban road, and land for a subway) were developed. Twenty-five sampling sites were selected and 38 soil samples were collected in March 2015. Hexachlorobenzene and benzo(a)pyrene which were extracted by Soxhlet extraction and detected by gas chromatography mass spectrometry were the most significant pollutants detected. The maximum concentration of the two pollutants in the surface layer (0-0.5 m) were 0.57 and 3.10 mg/kg, and in the bottom layer (1.0 m) were 2.57 and 3.72 mg/kg, respectively. In this study, risk assessment results based on the established exposure scenario and parameters showed that there was a significant difference in traffic hub land use under specific exposure pathway and common insensitive land use exposure pathways (direct ingestion of soil, dermal contact with soil, and inhalation of soil-derived dust). Commonly considered hexachlorobenzene and benzo(a)pyrene carcinogenic risk values exceeded the maximum acceptable level (10) and were found to be 23.9-fold and 189-fold higher than the carcinogenic risk values, respectively. Parameter sensitivity analysis data showed that for transportation use, the two parameters 'EFOa' and 'OSIRa' were the most significant factors associated with variation of the carcinogenic risk value. For traffic hub land use, urban road land use, and subway land use, the main exposure pathways were through 'inhalation of soil vapors outdoors (from surface soil),' 'direct ingestion of soil,' and 'inhalation of soil vapors indoors (from bottom soil),' which contributed 84.75, 73.00, and 100.00% to the total risk value, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The policy debates on plant protection products (PPPs) in the European Union (EU) are dominated by the environmental implications of crop protection (in particular, the use of herbicides) and the concentration of the herbicide industry. This article aims at presenting an overview of the patterns herbicide usage over time between and within European countries, and an overview of the industry structure. Potential determinants driving some of these differences are discussed, such as the recent PPP policies adopted by the EU. Results show that herbicides are the most important input used in crop protection, but regional differences are substantial. The concentration of the industry is high, but below levels that would raise concerns by EU regulators. The sector is also highly regulated, which contributes to a high concentration and a consequent decline in innovations. This finding raises the possibility of substituting bans of active ingredients in herbicides with alternative solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review focuses on proactive and reactive management of glyphosate-resistant (GR) weeds. Glyphosate resistance in weeds has evolved under recurrent glyphosate usage, with little or no diversity in weed management practices. The main herbicide strategy for proactively or reactively managing GR weeds is to supplement glyphosate with herbicides of alternative modes of action and with soil-residual activity. These herbicides can be applied in sequences or mixtures. Proactive or reactive GR weed management can be aided by crop cultivars with alternative single or stacked herbicide-resistance traits, which will become increasingly available to growers in the future. Many growers with GR weeds continue to use glyphosate because of its economical broad-spectrum weed control. Government farm policies, pesticide regulatory policies and industry actions should encourage growers to adopt a more proactive approach to GR weed management by providing the best information and training on management practices, information on the benefits of proactive management and voluntary incentives, as appropriate. Results from recent surveys in the United States indicate that such a change in grower attitudes may be occurring because of enhanced awareness of the benefits of proactive management and the relative cost of the reactive management of GR weeds. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: For investigating the carryover of some organophosphorus pesticide residues in the cereal food chain from grain to consumer, a study was set up on durum wheat, semolina and pasta. Pesticide-free durum wheat was placed into a small-scale model of a commercial storage vessel and treated with pesticides (malathion, fenitrothion, chlorpyrifos methyl, and pirimiphos methyl) according to the raw material legislation of Turkey. The residue levels of insecticides were determined in wheat, semolina, and spaghetti produced from stored wheat at various time intervals during five months of storage. A multiresidue analysis was performed using GC equipped with an NPD. The confirmation was performed by GC–MS. The residue levels of insecticides in wheat exceeded the maximum residue limits (MRLs) for wheat. The storage period was generally not effective enough to reduce the residues in wheat to levels below the MRLs. Although a considerable amount of the insecticides remained in the semolina, spaghetti processing significantly reduced residue concentrations in general. Pirimiphos methyl was the most persistent of the insecticides and comparatively less substantial loss occurred during milling and spaghetti processing due to its physicochemical properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To evaluate cancer incidence among employees assigned to a benzothiadiazin herbicide production facility between 1974 and 1984. Retrospective cohort study including 185 employees who had worked at least 3 months in the facility. Cancers were identified by review of occupational medical records and interview. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were computed using comparison data provided by the Saarland Cancer Registry. Separately, a medical examination including sonography of the prostate and thyroid and PSA testing was offered to all cohort members including retirees. Between 1975 and 2002, 12 cancers were observed compared with 10. 3 expected cases (SIR 1. 2; 95% confidence interval 0. 6–2. 0). Cancer types (including two prostate, two colon and one rectal cancer) were distributed unremarkably with no clustering of rare cancers. Medical screening and subsequent specialist referrals led to detection of three prostate cancers among 117 participants in the screening examination. Because of the limited study power, a link between former employment in this herbicide production process and the occurrence of cancer cannot be ruled out with confidence, although the observed incidence and distribution of cancers in this small cohort may be consistent with that expected in the general population. Detection of three prostate cancers via the examination program is also consistent with the experience of cancer screening programs that include PSA testing. Enhanced screening for prostate cancer among men over age 50 can lead to detection of cancers at earlier ages than would otherwise be the case. This likelihood needs to be planned for and addressed in communications with the study population prior to undertaking such initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exotic, invasive shrub European buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) is a major threat to natural areas in North America. While many publications describe buckthorn eradication methods, few compare the efficacy of different methods, and none are comprehensive. In this study, we tested the efficacy of 15 combinations of five commonly used herbicides and two physical interventions (cutting and girdling) on the regrowth of 317 buckthorn shrubs in northeastern Illinois. Treatments were performed randomly on plants with primary stems ≥3 cm, and effects on treated stems, untreated stems of multi-stemmed shrubs, and all stems were evaluated six months later. We found neither physical nor chemical methods alone to be optimal, but rather a combination of cutting or girdling with certain herbicides was best. We found Roundup Pro (Roundup), Stalker, and Tordon RTU (Tordon) to be more effective than either Garlon 4 or Brushmaster. Importantly, our data suggests that girdling or cutting of a single stem of multiple-stemmed buckthorn before using Roundup, Stalker, or Tordon usually results in the death of the entire shrub, thereby potentially saving a great deal of time and money. All herbicides were rated equally safe for human applicators by manufacturers, and required approximately equal time and effort to apply. Though Roundup was the most expensive of the three most effective herbicides, manufacturers' labels indicated that it is potentially safest for use in dry natural areas. However, none of the herbicides evaluated are appropriate for use in water, wetland areas, or in areas below mean high water marks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the role of dichlobenil in controlling aquatic weeds. It has been reported that the drainage system in England is deteriorating due to rapid congestion, thus control of aquatic weeds is considered a national issue. Dichlobenil, manufactured by N. V. Philips-Duphar, was found be the ideal aquatic herbicide because it possesses good residual properties, it does not cause water deoxygenation problems and it does not create hazard to adjacent areas and the environment.

The article presents information on the production of phenoxy herbicides in the U.S. In the period from 1950 to 1970, herbicide production increased from 20.25 million kilograms per year to 180 million kilograms. The herbicide industry was given a tremendous boost by World War II. E. J. Kraus, head of the Botany Department at the University of Chicago, suggested plant-killing potential of plant growth regulators in 1941. In February 1971, the 2,4,5-T Advisory Committee headed by J. G. Wilson was formed to hear testimony of 2,4,5-T chemical. On 7 May 1971, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) passed the report of the 2,4,5-T Advisory Committee regarding use of 2,4,5-T chemical in agriculture.

The article focuses on a report published by the Organic Center about the increase in the use of herbicides in eliminating weeds after the launch of transgenic crops in the commercial market in 1996. It is said that the report downplayed the role of transgenic corn and cotton in lowering the utilization of insecticides which amounts to about 64.2 million pounds. American Soybean Association communications director Bob Callanan asserted that the slow procedure for the approval of seeds improved with biotechnology has helped in weed resistance.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article related to the exposure of workers from a herbicide-producing plant, to polychlorinated dioxins and furans (PCDD/F) and mortality in Hamburg, Germany.

Presents updates on the pesticides and herbicides industry as of September 1967. Overview of a symposium on the factors which affect the activity of pesticides, to be held in London, England on April 10 to 12, 1967; Background on the Asian-Pacific Weed Science Society; Details of a conference sponsored by the Journées d'Études sur les Herbicides of the Comité franç de lutte contre les mauvaises herbes in Versailles, France on December 14 to 15, 1967.