Effects of Heavy Metal Pollution of Apple Orchard Surface Soils Associated with Past Use of Metal-Based Pesticides on Soil Microbial Biomass and Microbial Communities

Apple orchard surface soils in Japan are polluted with copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As) due to long-term use of metal-based pesticides. We investigated the effects of heavy metals accumulated in the surface soils in apple orchards on the microbial biomass and the microbial communities. Soil samples were taken from a chestnut orchard (unpolluted control) and five apple orchards with different degrees of heavy metal pollution. Total concentrations of Cu, Pb, and As in soil ranged from 29 to 931 mg/kg, 35 to 771 mg/kg, and 11 to 198 mg/kg, respectively. The amount of microbial biomass carbon expressed on a soil organic carbon basis decreased with increasing concentrations of heavy metals. Thus, the heavy metals that accumulated in apple orchard surface soils had adverse effects on the soil microbial biomass. The analysis of phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) composition indicated that the microbial community structure had changed because of the pesticide-derived heavy metals in soil. The relative abundance of gram-positive bacterial marker PLFAs increased and that of fungal marker PLFA decreased with increasing concentrations of heavy metals in soil. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoreses targeting the 16S ribosomal RNA gene of bacteria and the 18S ribosomal RNA gene of fungi also showed shifts in the composition of bacterial and fungal communities induced by soil pollution with heavy metals. However, the diversity of microbial communities was not significantly affected by the heavy metal pollution. This was attributable to the adaptation of the microbial communities in apple orchard surface soils to heavy metals derived from previously used pesticides.

Correction:Making the Complicated Simple:A Minimizing Carrier Strategy on Innovative Nanopesticides

The Nano-Micro Letters(2024)16:193,article by Shangguan et al.,entitled“Making the Complicated Simple:A Minimizing Carrier Strategy on Innovative Nanopesticides”(Nano-Micro Lett.https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-024-01413-5),was published online on 14 May,2024,with errors.The structural formulas and captions of the three acyl chlorides in Fig.3A were wrong.They should be as shown below.

Recent Advances in Transition Metal-Based Catalysts for Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction Reaction

The accumulation of excessive nitrate in the atmosphere not only jeopardizes human health but also disrupts the balance of the nitrogen cycle in the ecosystem.Among various nitrate removal technologies,electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction(eNO_(3)RR)has been widely studied for its advantages of being eco-friendly,easy to operate,and controllable under environmental conditions with renewable energy as the driving force.Transition metal-based catalysts(TMCs)have been widely used in electrocatalysis due to their abundant reserves,low costs,easy-to-regulate electronic structure and considerable electrochemical activity.In addition,TMCs have been extensively studied in terms of the kinetics of the nitrate reduction reaction,the moderate adsorption energy of nitrogen-containing species and the active hydrogen supply capacity.Based on this,this review firstly discusses the mechanism as well as analyzes the two main reduction products(N_(2)and NH_(3))of eNO_(3)RR,and reveals the basic guidelines for the design of efficient nitrate catalysts from the perspective of the reaction mechanism.Secondly,this review mainly focuses on the recent advances in the direction of eNO_(3RR)with four types of TMCs,Fe,Co,Ni and Cu,and unveils the interfacial modulation strategies of Fe,Co,Ni and Cu catalysts for the activity,reaction pathway and stability.Finally,reasonable suggestions and opportunities are proposed for the challenges and future development of eNO_(3)RR.This review provides far-reaching implications for exploring cost-effective TMCs to replace high-cost noble metal catalysts(NMCs)for eNO_(3)RR.

Evaluation of Agricultural Contamination Level by Heavy Metals and Pesticides in Sediments of Rivers and Water Bodies for Shrimp Fishing in the Lower Ouémé: Case of the Aguigadji, Ahlan and Sele Stations in Benin

This study assessed sediment contamination by heavy metals and pesticide active ingredients linked to chemical inputs used in agricultural activities in the lower Ouémé. Pesticide residues from the organochlorine, pyrethroid and organophosphorus families were investigated by gas chromatography, and heavy metals (Cd, Pb, As, Ni, Zn, Fe, Mg, Cr and Hg) by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The metallic pollution indices, the contamination factor (CF) and the ecological risk index were calculated. The results revealed 8 active ingredients in the rainy season and 9 in the dry season. Glyphosate was the active ingredient with the highest concentration at all stations, 9.65 ± 0.84 mg/kg recorded in the dry season at the Aguigadji station. All glyphosate values were above the EQS. DDT, Atrazine and Endosulfan also showed high concentrations in the dry and rainy seasons. Emamectin, Abamectin and Lambda Cyhalothrin also showed high concentrations in the dry season at Aguigadji, Ahlan and Sele. Only glyphosate was recorded at the control station (Toho), but in very low concentrations. Lead showed the highest concentrations at all the stations, 265.96 ± 21.02 mg/Kg in the rainy season and 255.38 ± 79.09 mg/Kg in the dry season, all detected at the Aguigadji station and above the EQS. Zn, Ni, Fe, Cu and Cr were all representative in both the dry and rainy seasons at the contaminated stations. Manganese showed high concentrations in the rainy season. Pb showed very high contamination (FC ≥ 6) at the Aguigadji and Ahlan stations and significant contamination (3 ≤ FC 6) at the Sele station in both the rainy and dry seasons. Ni, Hg and Cd, showed either moderate or significant contamination at the contaminated stations. The risk values showed a considerable ecological Ri (190 ≤ Ri < 380) in the rainy season and a moderate ecological Ri (95 ≤ Ri < 190) in the dry season at these contaminated stations.

Resistance Monitoring of Field Populations of Panonychus citri to Three Pesticides

[Objectives]The paper was to investigate the development of Panonychus citri resistance to commonly used pesticides in major citrus producing areas in China,and to screen out new green and efficient agents for its control and prevention.[Methods]The resistance changes of field populations of P.citri to abamectin,pyridaben,and bifenazate in 12 locations across five provinces in China were compared using the leaf disc impregnation method.[Results]P.citri in the tested areas exhibited the most severe resistance to abamectin,with approximately 91.7%of the field populations showing high levels of resistance to abamectin(112.1-560.5 times);50%of P.citri populations exhibited high levels of resistance to pyridaben(123.0-202.7 times),while the remaining populations showed intermediate levels of resistance(25.6-80.3 times);except for the Zhejiang Xiangshan 2019 and Jiangxi Yudu 2019 populations,which exhibited a medium level of resistance to bifenazate,the remaining 10 monitored populations demonstrated a high level of resistance to bifenazate(140.4-686.1 times).[Conclusions]It is advisable to discontinue the use of abamectin and bifenazate due to significant resistance observed in populations of P.citri monitored in 12 locations across 5 provinces.It is recommended to reduce the frequency of pyridaben use and alternate with other acaricides that have different mechanisms of action due to the varying degrees of resistance developed.

Sensitivity of Commercial Enzyme Inhibition Colorimetric Pesticide Residue Rapid Test Kit to a Variety of Pesticides

[Objectives]To fully understand the quality of commercial enzyme inhibition-colorimetric pesticide residue rapid detection kits,so that they can play a greater role in the detection and supervision of agricultural products.[Methods]The sensitivity of 28 kinds of pesticides was determined by using the commercially available enzyme inhibition colorimetric rapid detection kit with Hendu brand.[Results]There was a significant difference in the sensitivity of the kit to each pesticide,and the kit was more sensitive to dichlorvos among the 28 pesticides tested.The sensitivity to methyl isosalifos,dimethoate,isocarbophos,fenthion and phorate was poor,and the sensitivity to quinalphos was different between 3.0 and 2.5 mL.[Conclusions]The large difference of the sensitivity of the enzyme inhibition-colorimetric rapid detection kit for pesticide residues to different kits is a reason for the false positive and false negative test results of the kit,which needs to be considered by relevant personnel.

Agricultural Contamination of the Surface Waters of the Upper Ouémé in Benin: The Case of Heavy Metals and Pesticides

Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess the degree of contamination of surface waters by heavy metals and pesticides. Method: To this end, data were collected in December 2022 from four specific sampling stations: Okpara, Térou, Affon and Adjiro. Levels of heavy metals, including cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, mercury, nickel and lead, were measured and subjected to in-depth statistical analysis using graphical summation models. In addition, the concentrations of pesticide active ingredients present in the samples were interpreted and evaluated. The statistical data collected during this study were processed using R software, version 3.5.0. Results: The values obtained at the different stations Okpara, Térou, Affon and Adjiro are respectively Arsenic (2 × 10-4 mg/L;2.2 × 10-1 mg/L;1.2 × 10-4 mg/L;2 × 10-4 mg/L), Cadmium (4.4 × 10-5 mg/L;1.1 × 10-2 mg/L;10-4 mg/L;4 × 10-4 mg/L). Then Copper (7 × 10-4 mg/L;3 × 10-3 mg/L;7 × 10-4 mg/L;1 × 10-4 mg/L), Iron (1.51 mg/L;6.4 × 10-1 mg/L;2.0012 mg/L;2.9 × 10-1 mg/L), Lead (0 mg/L;0 mg/L;1.5 × 10-3 mg/L;1.5 × 10-3 mg/L). Mercury, nickel and chromium were not detected in surface waters. It is important to note that the values obtained for trace metals (Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Mercury, nickel and chromium were not detected in surface waters. It is important to note that the values obtained for trace metals (cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, mercury, nickel and lead) were all below the guideline standards set by the WHO in 2006 for uncontaminated surface waters. This indicates that the surface waters of the Upper Ouémé were below acceptable contamination thresholds in terms of heavy metals. However, the presence of pesticide active ingredients such as cyfluthrin, endosulfan-alpha, endosulfan-beta, profenosfos, tihan, atrazine, gala super and glycel clearly indicates that these surface waters are subject to agricultural contamination.

Regional selection of insecticides and fungal biopesticides to control aphids and thrips and improve the forage quality of alfalfa crops

The efficacies of biological and conventional chemical insecticides against two major insect pests of alfalfa(aphids and thrips)were compared in three sites across China’s alfalfa belt.In addition,the persistence of the residues of chemical insecticides in alfalfa and their influence on the quality of alfalfa hay were examined.Efficacy varied among the different biological and chemical insecticides.The chemical insecticides were significantly more effective than biopesticides in a short time-frame.The efficacy period of biopesticides was significantly longer than that of chemical insecticides,and the corrected mortality rate of aphids in all regions was above 50%at 14 days after application.The analysis of pesticide residues showed that the residual doses of all the pesticides were within the allowed ranges after the safe period.The acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber contents in alfalfa hay were higher and the protein content was lower in chemical insecticide treatments than in biopesticide treatments in Hebei.The relative feeding value of alfalfa hay treated with Metarhizium anisopliae IPP330189 was the highest among the treatments.Compared with chemical insecticides,the yield of alfalfa hay was higher in the biopesticides treatments.Biopesticides show a stronger control effect on insect populations and also a better improvement in the quality of alfalfa hay than chemical insecticides.This study provides a basis for exploring and developing a comprehensive control regime for alfalfa insect pests in the different alfalfa-growing regions in China,and for reducing chemical insecticide usage and improving forage quality.

Recognition mechanism and sequence optimization of organophosphorus pesticides aptamers for better monitoring contaminations in food

Aptamers as a kind of biological recognition element have shown great potential in monitoring and the rapid quantification of organophosphorus pesticides(OPPs). However, molecules of OPPs are structurally similar and original aptamers selected by systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment are usually long-chain bases, which hamper the further application under OPPs-aptamer recognition. The aim of the research was to develop a new strategy to design oligonucleotide sequences for binding OPPs by combination of experimental and molecular modeling methods. 3D models of aptamers binding OPPs were constructed, and binding energy and the most probable binding site for the OPPs were then determined by molecular docking, and the binding sites were further confirmed by the results of 2-AP replaced experiments. Based on the docking results, a new aptamer for detection 4 representative OPPs with only 29 bases was designed by reasonable truncation and mutation of the reported aptamer(named S4-29). The interaction between this new aptamer and OPPs were analyzed by molecular docking, microscale thermophoresis, circular dichroism and fluorometric analysis. The results revealed that the new aptamer exhibit more superior recognition performance to OPPs, which can be promote the monitoring ability of OPPs contaminations in food.

Efficacy of High-efficiency Formula Pesticides for Controlling Sesamia inferens Walker and Ceratovacuna lanigera Zehntner

[Objectives]This study was conducted to screen high-efficiency formula pesticides and precise and efficient application techniques for the prevention and control of Sesamia inferens Walker and Ceratovacuna lanigera Zehntner.[Methods]Field efficacy trials were conducted using different combinations of 70%directed enhanced thiamethoxam seed treatment dispersible powder and 46%monosultap·Bacillus thuringiensis wettable powder.[Results]70%directed enhanced thiamethoxam ZF 450 g/hm^(2)+46%monosultap·B.thuringiensis WP 2250 g/hm^(2)had good control effects on both S.inferens and C.lanigera,so it was an ideal high-efficiency formula pesticide for controlling sugarcane S.inferens and C.lanigera.From January to May,combining with new plant or perennial root cultivation management,70%directed enhanced thiamethoxam ZF 450 g/hm^(2)can be evenly spread on sugarcane ditches and sugarcane stumps after being well mixed with fertilizers applied per hectare,and covered with soil in a timely manner,and during the peak incubation period of the first and second generation of S.inferens eggs from March to May,46%monosultap·B.thuringiensis WP 2250 g/hm^(2)was sprayed to the leaf surface in the mixture with water 675 kg with an electric backpack or a motorized sprayer.In such a way,the control efficacy on dead heart seedlings could reach over 89.8%,and that on C.lanigera could reach 100%.Meanwhile,it could effectively and concurrently control thrips,and the increases in yield and sugar content could reach 29310 kg/hm^(2)and 5.9 percentage points,respectively.[Conclusions]The promotion and application of the formula pesticide could achieve precise application and control of sugarcane pests,and improvement of sugarcane quality and planting efficiency,and help promote green prevention and control of sugarcane diseases and pests and the sustained high-quality development of the sugar industry.

Problems in the Use of Pesticides by Farmers and Countermeasures

Pesticide safety is an important guarantee for food security.At present,there are many problems in the process of choosing pesticides by farmers,such as low discernment ability and difficulty in retroactive blame,slow replacement of medical equipment,slow promotion of technology assistance,lack of professional knowledge,difficult to grasp the key points of application,improper use of pesticides,large resistance to reducing quantity and increasing efficiency,etc.In order to use pesticides rationally and realize safe production,countermeasures and suggestions on pesticide application are put forward from the aspects of drug development and application,promotion of biopesticides,change of farmers concept and cultivation of new farmers.

Recent progress and challenges in structural construction strategy of metal-based catalysts for nitrate electroreduction to ammonia

Ammonia plays an essential role in human production and life as a raw material for chemical fertilizers.The nitrate electroreduction to ammonia reaction(NO_(3)RR)has garnered attention due to its advantages over the Haber-Bosch process and electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction.Therefore,it represents a promising approach to safeguard the ecological environment by enabling the cycling of nitrogen species.This review begins by discussing the theoretical insights of the NO_(3)RR.It then summarizes recent advances in catalyst design and construction strategies,including alloying,structure engineering,surface engineering,and heterostructure engineering.Finally,the challenges and prospects in this field are presented.This review aims to guide for enhancing the efficiency of electrocatalysts in the NO_(3)RR,and offers insights for converting NO_(3)-to NH_(3).

The Role of Abdominal CT in the Assessment of the Effectiveness of Gastric Lavage after Pesticide Poisoning

Pesticide poisoning is one of the most common diseases in the emergency department, characterized by rapid changes in condition, a high misdiagnosis rate, and a poor prognosis. Measures for early removal of poisons are crucial, and gastric lavage is one of the important measures. Regarding the post-gastric lavage effect, abdominal CT scanning has an important application value in the assessment of the gastric lavage effect after pesticide poisoning.

On-site rapid detection of multiple pesticide residues in tea leaves by lateral flow immunoassay

The application of pesticides (mostly insecticides and fungicides) during the tea-planting process will undoubtedly increase the dietary risk associated with drinking tea. Thus, it is necessary to ascertain whether pesticide residues in tea products exceed the maximum residue limits. However, the complex matrices present in tea samples comprise a major challenge in the analytical detection of pesticide residues. In this study, nine types of lateral flow immunochromatographic strips (LFICSs) were developed to detect the pesticides of interest (fenpropathrin, chlorpyrifos, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, acetamiprid, carbendazim, chlorothalonil, pyraclostrobin, and iprodione). To reduce the interference of tea substrates on the assay sensitivity, the pretreatment conditions for tea samples, including the extraction solvent, extraction time, and purification agent, were optimized for the simultaneous detection of these pesticides. The entire testing procedure (including pretreatment and detection) could be completed within 30 min. The detected results of authentic tea samples were confirmed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), which suggest that the LFICS coupled with sample rapid pretreatment can be used for on-site rapid screening of the target pesticide in tea products prior to their market release.

Coordination of distinctive pesticide adjuvants and atomization nozzles on droplet spectrum evolution for spatial drift reduction

Pesticide adjuvants,as crop protection products,have been widely used to reduce drift loss and improve utilization efficiency by regulating droplet spectrum.However,the coordinated regulation mechanisms of adjuvants and nozzles on droplet spectrum remain unclear.Here,we established the relationship between droplet spectrum evolution and liquid atomization by investigating the typical characteristics of droplet diameter distribution near the nozzle.Based on this,the regulation mechanisms of distinctive pesticide adjuvants on droplet spectrum were clarified,and the corresponding drift reduction performances were quantitively evaluated by wind tunnel experiments.It shows that the droplet diameter firstly shifts to the smaller due to the liquid sheet breakup and then prefers to increase caused by droplet interactions.Reducing the surface tension of sprayed liquid facilitates the uniform liquid breakup and increasing the viscosity inhibits the liquid deformation,which prolong the atomization process and effectively improve the droplet spectrum.As a result,the drift losses of flat-fan and hollow cone nozzles are reduced by about 50%after adding organosilicon and vegetable oil adjuvants.By contrast,the air induction nozzle shows a superior anti-drift ability,regardless of distinctive adjuvants.Our findings provide insights into rational adjuvant design and nozzle selection in the field application.

Research Progress of QuEChERS Pretreatment Technique in the Detection of Multiple Pesticide Residues

The QuEChERS extraction technique is a pretreatment technique that has been rapidly applied in recent years and is widely used in the field of pesticide residues with many advantages. This technique is based on solid phase extraction (SPE), which uses the interaction between adsorbent and impurities in the matrix to achieve the purpose of purification. The method has easier operation and better purification effect than SPE. In this paper, the research progress of the QuEChERS technique in pesticide residue detection in different fields in recent years and its future development were reviewed, hoping to provide reference for further development and utilization of the QuEChERS technique in pesticide residue detection in the future.

Determination of 14 Organophosphorus Pesticide Residues in Mutton by Gel Permeation Chromatography-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry(GPC-GC-MS)

[Objectives]This study was conducted to purify mutton samples by gel permeation chromatography(GPC).[Methods]Fourteen organophosphorus pesticide residues in samples were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS)in selective ion scanning mode(SIM).[Results]The organophosphorus pesticide standard solutions showed good linearity in the mass concentration range of 0.1-10.0μg/ml with correlation coefficients(r)not lower than 0.999,and the detection limits(S=3 N)ranged from 0.01 to 0.05 mg/kg.The average recovery values were in the range of 80.2%-99.7%,with relative standard deviations(RSDs,n=3)in the range of 1.8%-6.3%,at the addition levels of 0.5,1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg.[Conclusions]The method is simple,sensitive and accurate,and can be used for the determination of organophosphorus pesticide residues in mutton.

Control Effect of Botanical Pesticides against Ectropis oblique hmpulina and Empoasca pirisuga in Tea Plantation

[ Objective ] The paper was to study the effects of several botanical pesticides against two pests in tea plantation. [ Method] Using randomized block de- sign, different concentrations of botanical pesticides were sprayed during the young larvae periods of Ectropis oblique hmpulina Wehrli and peak periods of Empoasca pirisuga, the reduction rate of population and control effects were investigated after spraying for 1,3,7 and 10 d. [ Result] 5% rotenone EC 800 times had the best control effect against E. oblique hmpulina, and 0.5% veratridine soluble liquid 800 times had the best control effect against E. pirisuga. 0. 5% veratridine soluble liquid, 0.2% celangulin EC, 0.3% matrine water agent and 7.5% rotenone EC could be selected as the pesticides for the control of E. oblique hmpulina; 0. 5% veratridine soluble liquid, 0. 2% celangulin EC, 0.3% azadirachtin EC, 0.3% matrine water agent and 7.5% rotenone EC could be selected as the pesticides for the control of E. pirisuga, of which 0. 3% azadiraehtin EC 600 times showed the best durable effect against E. pirisuga with control effect of 100% after spraying for 7 d. [ Conclusion] The results provided basis for application of botanical pesticides in pests control in tea plantation.

Selection of High-efficient Safe Pesticides for Controlling Tea Lesser Leafhopper(Empoasca vitis)

[Objective] This study was conducted to select a batch of new high-effi- cient low-toxicity high-selectivity pesticides for the application in tea gardens. [Method] This experiment was designed with 12 treatments including clear water as the CK, in randomized block arrangement, with 4 replications, and each plot had an area of 30 m2. The pesticides were sprayed in the high occurrence period of larvae of tea lesser leafhopper when tea shoots grew vigorously. [Result] In the 11 pesti- cides, 100 g/L bifenthrin EC , 70% imidacloprid WDG and 150 g/L indoxacarb EC were the best pesticides with efficacies above 90%; and in the bio-pesticides, 0.5% azadirachtin SC showed an efficacy over 87.97%. [Conclusions] Among the tested pesticides, 100 g/L bifenthrin EC , 70% imidacloprid WDG and 150 g/L indoxacarb EC could effectively control tea lesser leafhopper during the outbreak of tea lesser leafhopper, and when the occurrence degree of tea lesser leafhopper is below the medium level, environment-friendly 0.5% azadirachtin SC, 0.5% veratrine SC, 0.3% matrine SC and 4.0×10^10 spores/g Beauveria bassiana OD could be selected.

Application of Biological Pesticides in Medicinal Plants

At present, the excessive application of traditional chemical pesticides, serious pesticide residue pollution and destruction of the ecological balance in China have become important factors affecting the quality and safety of medicinal material. Biological pesticides are rapidly developed due to their characteristics of high efficiency, low toxicity and residue. This study aimed to introduce the specific property of biological pesticides, review the classification of biological pesticides and their application in medicinal plants, analyze the problems in the production and utilization process of biological pesticides, and forecast the developmental prospect.