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Microbial degradation of s-triazine herbicides

  • Conference paper
Single Pesticide Volume: The Triazine Herbicides

Part of the book series: Residue Reviews / Rückstands-Berichte ((RECT,volume 32))

Abstract

Biodegradation is a significant factor affecting the residual life and toxicity of many pesticides1 in soils. Soil microorganisms may act upon a pesticide in several ways. One mechanism may involve degradation with ultimate detoxication and/or metabolism of the pesticide, whereas another mechanism may involve the activation or toxication of an initially nontoxic pesticide molecule. Still another mechanism may involve the transformation of a toxic molecule into a product which exerts some beneficial influence upon higher plants, soil fauna, or microorganisms. Such reactions have been observed during the microbial degradation of a number of pesticides. Because of the public health and environmental significance of pesticides and their residues, a thorough understanding of the chemical, physical, and microbial forces acting upon these chemicals is important. The purpose of this review is to discuss the parameters involved in the microbial degradation of s-triazine herbicides.

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  1. Crops Research Division, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland, USA

    D. D. Kaufman & P. C. Kearney

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  1. D. D. Kaufman
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  1. Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, California, USA

    Francis A. Gunther

  2. Riverside, California, USA

    Jane Davies Gunther

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Kaufman, D.D., Kearney, P.C. (1970). Microbial degradation of s-triazine herbicides. In: Gunther, F.A., Gunther, J.D. (eds) Single Pesticide Volume: The Triazine Herbicides. Residue Reviews / Rückstands-Berichte, vol 32. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-8464-3_9

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