Project Number: 3611-12220-006-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Apr 06, 2001
End Date: Apr 05, 2006

Objective:
1) Identify mechanisms of herbicide persistence associated with carryover damage and offsite movement. 2) Determine role of microbial inhibition in biodegradation of herbicides with anti-microbial properties. 3) Develop practical approaches to enhance degradation of xenobiotics used in agricultural production in order to limit onsite and offsite impacts. 4) Identify the major components of weed seeds accessed by microorganisms during seed decay, as well as factors that regulate seed decay.

Approach:
Mechanisms of persistance will be investigated using a combination of soil incubation studies and cell permeability assays. Role of microbial inhibition will be evaluated using ALS-inhibiting herbicides and herbicides commonly partnered with these compounds. Field and laboratory studies will be involved. Objective 3 will be investigated using anaerobic conditions to promote degradation of trifluralin. The final objective will be addressed using isotopically labeled seeds to investigate microbial degradation of seed components.

Project Team

Sims, Gerald Williams, Martin Chee Sanford, Joanne

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003   FY 2002   FY 2001