COMPLETION OF LABEL INFORMATION AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF COMMERCIAL PESTICIDE SAMPLES TRADED IN EGYPTIAN MARKETS

The current study was carried out to check the completion of label information and determine the physico- chemical properties of commercial pesticides samples traded in the Egyptian markets. Twenty-nine market samples were collected during the years 2015 and 2016 for commercial formulations produced by different manufacturers from pesticide shops in four governorates (Cairo, Giza, Qaluobia and Sharqia). The collected samples included 18 preparations in the form of Emulsifiable Concentrates(EC), 11 in the form wettable powder (WP). Physico- chemical properties were determined for each formulation according to international standard methods (CIPAC, 2003) through tests of pH value, Persistent Foam, Emulsion Stability, Suspencibility and Wettability. The obtained results showed that although the label data was complete for many of the packages, some information found be missing. The missing information was related to directions for use (4%), safety precautions and first aid (7%), anti-dote (12%), hazard category (6%), Pre-Harvest Interval, (PHI) (17%), registration number (13%) and Batch number (18%). Regarding physico- chemical properties, the obtained data indicated that there was a difference in the percentage of the foam layer for the tested formulations of chlorprifos-ethyl (6 preparations) (Tafaban 48%EC, Pyrifos El-Nasr 48% EC, Pestiban 48% EC, Pyriban-A 48% EC, Chlorfan 48% EC and Chlorzan 48% EC). These preparations were in accordance with international standards in terms of emulsion stability after half an hour, while the mismatching samples showed that the formed layer exceeded the standard volume after two hours of maximum limits, and failed to test emulsion stability after 24.5 hours, as well as in the free oil layer formed at the same time. The results of the emulsion stability tests showed four other tested formulations, namely, lambda chalothrin (Fly Free 5% EC), chlorpyrifos – methyl (Pyrodan 50% EC), and two different formulations for malathion (Agrothion 57% EC and Malason Extra 57% EC), all of which conform to standard specifications in terms of level of foam layer, as well as complete emulsification after half an hour. The cream layer after half an hour was identical. However, the difference and mismatch in three formulations appeared after two hours of emulsification, where the percentage of the cream layer exceeded the allowed limits, and the free oil layer was not conforming to specifications, (after two hours or 24.5 hours). Also, the tested preparations of abamectin (Demectin 1.8% EC and Gold 1.8% EC) and emamectin benzoate (Basha 1.9% EC and Excellent 1.9% EC) have been successful in the tests of Persistent Foam, Emulsion stability (cream layer and free oil layer formed after half an hour and two hours as well as 24.5 hours). Comparing the efficiency of emulsification among other EC formulations including fenitrothion (Sumithion 50% EC), diazinon (Diazinox 60% EC) and profenofos (Sylian 72% EC and Teleton 72% EC) conformed to specifications in terms of level of foam layer. However, both Sumithion and Diazinox failed to stabilize, forming a creamy layer that exceeded the standard the maximum limit after two hours. For WP formulations, some have successfully passed the suspensibility test, while other formulations, including preparations of Bacillus thuringensis bacteria (Agerin 6.5% WP, Dipel 2X 6.4% WP and Protecto 9.4%WP). have not been successful. These results confirm the importance of developing monitoring and surveillance activities for pesticides formulations traded on the market, and to develop special means for checking the quality of products and detecting products that are counterfeit or non-conforming to the declared specifications or National and International standards

EFFICACY AND BIOCHEMICAL EFFECTS OF SOME INSECTICIDES AGAINST COTTON LEAFWORM, Spodoptera littoralis (BOISD.)

he efficiency and biochemical effects of certain insecticides belonging to different groups namely: flubendiamide (diamide), pyridalyl (phenoxy-pyridaloxy), clothianidin (neonicotinoide), fipronil (phenylpyrazole) and spirotetramat (tetramic acid) and pirimiphos-methyl (Ops) were tested against 2nd larval instar of Spodoptera littoralis laboratory strain using dipping technique. The efficacy of the tested insecticides are arranged as follows to LC50 values. The results showed that flubendiamide was the superior toxicant insecticides ( LC50 1.03 ppm) followed by pyridalyl (2.13 ppm) then fipronil (7.42 ppm), clothianidin (26.87ppm), pirimiphos-methyl (76.31 ppm) and spirotetramat (431.91 ppm). Biochemical effects of the tested insecticides on acetylcholine esterase (AChE), glutathione-s-transferases (GST), adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase), phenoloxidase, total calcium, and total protein were determined in the treated larvae. Data showed highest significant increase at AChE activity in treatment of fipronil by change% (70.59), while treatment with pirimiphosmethyl recorded highest significant decrease by change% (-56.41). Whereas, all treatments recorded increase in GST activity except pirimiphosmethyl recorded non significant decrease. All insecticides treatments were showed a decrease in phenoloxidase activity the highest decrease recorded by pirimiphos-methyl treatment by change % (- 53.06). Regarding change percentage of ATPase, activity data recorded significant increase with pirimiphos-methyl treatment by (72.91%).  However, total protein in all treatments showed a significant decrease. On the other hand, treatment with pirimiphos-methyl recorded a significant decrease in total calcium and the corresponding change % was   (- 6.0%). Previous data confirmed the mode of action of the novel tested insecticides

MONITORING OF PESTICIDE RESIDUES IN SOME ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS AT MENOFIA GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

The pesticide residues in drinking water, irrigation water, sediment and soil sam-ples collected from three villages, i.e. Samadon, Ashmon and El-Ramla, located at Menofia Governorate, Egypt were monitored during the period of Septemper 2002 to February 2003. The obtained results showed that the detected pesticide residues were varied in their types and structures in the investigated villages during period of study. It is clear that residues of organochlorine insecticide and the herbicide, atra-zine, were the most frequently detected in both of drinking and irrigation water sam-ples. According to the detected amounts and numbers of pesticide residues in all the collected samples, the soil samples contained higher pesticide residues (average of 0.07 ppm) sediment (average of 0.05 ppm) irrigation water (average of 0.04 ppm) drinking water (0.01-0.02 ppm). Comparing between the selected sites, Sa-madon was the highest site contained pesticide residues more than Ashmon and El-Ramla

CROSS RESISTANCE OF DIPEL 2x RESISTANT STRAIN OF PINK BOLLWORM PECTINOPHORA GOSSYPIELLA (SAUND.) TO SOME CONVENTIONAL AND BIOINSECTICIDES

A field strain of pink bollworm Pectinophora gossypiella (Saund.) collected from Sharquia Governorate, Egypt was exposed to the selection pressure of the for-mulation of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. Kurstaki, Dipel 2x under laboratory condi-tions. Resistance ratio attained 16-fold based on the susceptible strain after 14 gen-erations of selection. Study the response of Dipel 2x resistant strain to some insecti-cides indicated that there is no cross resistance to the conventional insecticides, es-fenvalerate, chlorpyriphos and thiodicarb or the bioinsecticides Ecotech and Agerin. These data may be emphasizing the possibility of rotation the Dipel 2x with these insecticides in pest control program of pink bollworm to manage resistance to Bt products

SUSCEPTIBILITY OF DESERT LOCUST, SCHISTOCERCA GREGARIA (ORTHOPTERA: ACRIDIDAE) TO BACILLUS CEREUS ISOLATED FROM EGYPT

Examination was done at preliminary bracketing bioassay on one old 4th nymphal instar of desert locust. Results showed that two isolates, namely NDL1 and NDL2 were having highly potentiality as entomopathogenic bioagents. Thirty isolates were isolated from dead/ infected nymphs of desert locust occurred in raring cages at Department of Locust and Grasshoppers Research, Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt. Molecular identification of isolated bacteria was done using universal primers of 16s rRNA, followed by DNA sequencing. Nucleotides were blasted at (https://www.ncbi. nlm.nih.gov /genbank/) to recognize that NDL1 and NDL2 isolates were two different isolates of Bacillus cereus with a high similarity (100%).  Susceptibility of 4th nymphal instar of Schistocerca gregaria (Forskal) to the isolated B. cereus was determined using two bioassay procedures, Leaf-dip and per os. The insecticidal activity of both isolates against locust nymph in leaf dipping showed that NDL2 was more efficient than NDL1. However, the opposite trend was observed in using per os.  Both Isolates have the potential to be a successful biocidal agent to control desert locust

Dissipation of Glyphosate and Glufosinate Ammonium in Soil and Weed Control in Citrus Orchards

Glyphosate (GLY) and glufosinate-ammonium (GLUA) are broad-spectrum, non-selective, contact herbicides that are commonly used in fruit farms Achieving the separation and detection of glyphosate and glufosinate from soil samples by chromatography is a challenging task as they are ionic and highly water-soluble compounds. The aim of this study is conducted to determine the dissipation of GLY and GLUA applied at two dose levels in three-depth soils of orange orchards. The residues of GLY and GLUA were determined by the HPLC-UV detector. The residual detection limits of GLY and GLUA of the method were 0.03 and 0.05 ng/g in soil respectively. The obtained data indicated that GLY persistent in the soil is very short, only for 7 days, following applications of 1 to 2 kg/fed in the orange crop. GLUA dissipated in soil within 14 days of application, regardless of dose. The half-life (T/2) of GLY and GLUA were 1.68 and 1.42 days at 0 cm depth, respectively. There was no significant difference between the half-life of the two herbicides in soil at three depths. These results showed that GLY dissipation occurs rapidly in soil. However, GLUA was moderately persistent in soil. The two compounds tested showed a reduction of dry weight for four types of weeds after 14 days of recommended and double-rate application

LC and LD50 values of bacillus thuringiensis serovar japonensis strain buibui toxin to oriental beetle and northern masked chafer larvae (coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Bacillus thuringiensis serovar japonensis strain Buibui has the potential to be an important control agent for pest scarabs. Bioassays were designed to test B. t. japonensis against two of the major turf and ornamental scarab pests infesting turfgrasses and ornamentals and to serve as a basis for further tests against other scarab pests. LC and LD50 values of B. t. serovar japonensis strain Buibui toxin and spores were determined by four different bioassays for the oriental beetle, Anomala orientalis (Waterhouse), and northern masked chafer, Cyclocephala borealis Arrow. Oriental beetle larvae were bioassayed in autoclaved and nonautoclaved soil from where they were collected (Kingston, RI [native]), in nonautoclaved soil from where the northern masked chafer larvae were collected (Groton, CT [foreign]), and per os. Northern masked chafer larvae were bioassayed in autoclaved and nonautoclaved soil from where they were collected (Groton, CT [native]), in nonautoclaved soil from where the oriental beetle larvae were collected (Kingston, RI [foreign]) and per os. LC50 values of 3.93 μg toxin/g autoclaved native soil, 1.80 μg toxin/g nonautoclaved native soil, and μ0.42 g toxin/g nonautoclaved foreign soil and an LD50 value of 0.41 μg per os were determined at 14 d for A. orientalis. LC50 values of 588.28 μg toxin/g autoclaved native soil, 155.10 μg toxin/g nonautoclaved native soil, 265.32 μg toxin/g nonautoclaved foreign soil, and LD50 of 5.21 μg per os were determined at 14 d (soils) and 10 d (per os) for C. borealis. There were significant differences in LC50 values for oriental beetles in autoclaved, nonautoclaved native soil and nonautoclaved foreign soil. There were significant differences in LC50 values for northern masked chafers in autoclaved and nonautoclaved native soil. B. t. japonensis can be applied now for control of oriental beetles at rates that are economically competitive with synthetic chemicals. If we can determine the component of nonautoclaved soil that enhances the activity of toxin, it may be possible to lower the rates of toxin needed for control to more economical levels for more difficult to control species such as the northern masked chafer. © 2009 Entomological Society of America

Enhanced toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki and aizawai to black cutworm larvae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) with Bacillus sp. NFD2 and Pseudomonas sp. FNFD1

Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki and aizawai are important control agents for lepidopteran pests. Bioassays were designed to test B. t. kurstaki and aizawai against second- and-fourth instar black cutworm larvae with and without Bacillus sp. NFD2 and Pseudomonas sp. FNFD1 bacteria. B. thuringiensis subsp. aizawai (XenTari) was more toxic to both second- and fourth-instar black cutworm, Agrolis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), larvae than B. t. kurstaki (DiPel) at 7 d after treatment (DAT). When DiPel was combined with NFD2 or FNFD1 versus second instars, the LC 50s were 5.0X and 4.7X lower, respectively, than with DiPel alone. DiPel combined with both NFD2 and FNFD1 versus second instars resulted in an LC50 value 7.7X lower than with DiPel alone. When XenTari was combined with NFD2 or FNFD1 versus second instars, the LC50s were 5.2X and 3.8X lower, respectively, than with XenTari alone. XenTari combined with both NFD2 and FNFD1 versus second instars resulted in an LC50 9.7X lower than with XenTari alone. When DiPel was combined with NFD2 or FNFD1 versus fourth instars, the LC50s were 4.4X and 3.4X lower, respectively, than with DiPel alone. DiPel combined with both NFD2 and FNFD1 versus fourth instars resulted in an LC50 5.0X lower than with DiPel alone. When XenTari was combined with NFD2 or FNFD1 versus fourth instars, the LC50s were 5.7X and 3.3X lower, respectively, than with XenTari alone. XenTari combined with both NFD2 and FNFD1 versus fourth instars resulted in an LC50 6.7X lower than with XenTari alone. © 2011 Entomological Society of America

Enhanced toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis japonensis strain Buibui toxin to oriental beetle and northern masked chafer (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) larvae with Bacillus sp. NFD2

Bacillus thuringiensis japonensis strain Buibui (Btj) has the potential to be an important control agent for pest scarabs. Bioassays using autoclaved and nonautoclaved soil showed there were always lower LC50 values associated with nonautoclaved soil. We identified five other bacteria found in the hemolymph of insects killed by Btj and used them in bioassays to see whether we could enhance the control achieved with Btj alone. One bacterium, designated NFD2 and later identified as a Bacillus sp., showed the greatest enhancement of Btj in preliminary experiments and was used in bioassays with Btj versus oriental beetle, Anomala orientalis (Waterhouse), and northern masked chafer, Cyclocephala borealis Arrow (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), larvae. This bacterium alone was nontoxic to grubs in bioassays. A combination of this bacterium with Btj in nonautoclaved soil resulted in a significantly lower LC50 value (0.23 g toxin per g soil) from all other treatments for A. orientalis with one exception; the LC50 where NFD2 was added back into autoclaved soil (0.29 g toxin per g soil). A combination of this bacterium with Btj in nonautoclaved soil resulted in a significantly lower LC50 value (48.29 g toxin per g soil) from all other treatments for C. borealis with the exception of the treatment where Bacillus sp. NFD2 was added back to autoclaved soil (96.87 g toxin per g soil) with Btj. This research shows that other soil bacteria can be used to enhance the toxicity of Btj and possibly other Bts. © 2010 Entomological Society of America

A detailed urinary excretion time course study of captan and folpet biomarkers in workers for the estimation of dose, main route-of-entry and most appropriate sampling and analysis strategies

Captan and folpet are two fungicides largely used in agriculture, but biomonitoring data are mostly limited to measurements of captan metabolite concentrations in spot urine samples of workers, which complicate interpretation of results in terms of internal dose estimation, daily variations according to tasks performed, and most plausible routes of exposure. This study aimed at performing repeated biological measurements of exposure to captan and folpet in field workers (i) to better assess internal dose along with main routes-of-entry according to tasks and (ii) to establish most appropriate sampling and analysis strategies. The detailed urinary excretion time courses of specific and non-specific biomarkers of exposure to captan and folpet were established in tree farmers (n = 2) and grape growers (n = 3) over a typical workweek (seven consecutive days), including spraying and harvest activities. The impact of the expression of urinary measurements [excretion rate values adjusted or not for creatinine or cumulative amounts over given time periods (8, 12, and 24 h)] was evaluated. Absorbed doses and main routes-of-entry were then estimated from the 24-h cumulative urinary amounts through the use of a kinetic model. The time courses showed that exposure levels were higher during spraying than harvest activities. Model simulations also suggest a limited absorption in the studied workers and an exposure mostly through the dermal route. It further pointed out the advantage of expressing biomarker values in terms of body weight-adjusted amounts in repeated 24-h urine collections as compared to concentrations or excretion rates in spot samples, without the necessity for creatinine corrections