THE INFLUENCE of EDAPHOLOGICAL FACTORS on the BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY of SELECTED INSECTICIDES in AGRICULTURAL OILS S Bruce John Monke University of Nebraska-Lincoln
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University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Dissertations and Student Research in Entomology Entomology, Department of 5-1984 THE INFLUENCE OF EDAPHOLOGICAL FACTORS ON THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF SELECTED INSECTICIDES IN AGRICULTURAL OILS S Bruce John Monke University of Nebraska-Lincoln Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/entomologydiss Part of the Entomology Commons Monke, Bruce John, "THE INFLUENCE OF EDAPHOLOGICAL FACTORS ON THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF SELECTED INSECTICIDES IN AGRICULTURAL SOILS" (1984). Dissertations and Student Research in Entomology. 34. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/entomologydiss/34 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Entomology, Department of at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations and Student Research in Entomology by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. THE INFLUENCE OF EDAPHOLOGICAL FACTOR8 ON THE E10LOGICAL ACT1VITY OF SELECTED INSECTICIDES IN AGR1CULTURAL S01L8 by Bruce John Monke A DI8SERTATION Presented to the Faculty of The Graduate College in the University of Nebraska In Partial Fullfillrnent of Requirernents For the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Major: Entornology Under the Supervision of Professor Z B Mayo Lincoln, Nebraska May, 1984 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TITLE THE INFLUENCE OF EDAPHOLOGICAL FACTORS ON THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF SELECTED INSECTICIDES IN AGRICULTURAL SOILS BY Bruce John Monke APPROVED DATE Z. B. Mayo April 16. 1984 Harold J. Ball April 16, 1984 E. A. Dickerson April 16, 1984 David T. Lewis April 16, 1984 SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE GRADUATE COLLEGE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA 0"'''0 eaooóil .:JOO a·e<tIT¡ Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. !HE INFLUENCE OF EDAPHOLOGICAL FACTORS ON THE BIOLOGlCAL ACTIVITY OF SELECTED INSECTICIDES IN AGRICULTURAL SOILS Bruce Jobn Monke, Ph.D. University of Nebraska, 1984 Advisor: Z B Mayo A rating system was deve10ped to predict the mortality of southern corn rootvorm (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber) larva e used as test animala to bioasaay soi1 insecticides. The mortality probabilities, based on behavior of moribund 1arvae, resulted in data that was more consistent with the assumptions underlying parameteric statistics and provided more precision when compared to the usually accepted alternate method of considering moribund larvae as dead. The rating system bioassay technique was used to study the effects of different soil factors on the relative decline Ln biological activity of six soil insecticides: carbofuran, chlorpyrifos, fonofos, isofenphos, phorate, and terbufos. Field studies (including one that altered pH with lime and sulfur) were conducted to measure the effects of soil pH, texture, organic matter, and moisture on insecticide persistence. In the laboratory, the Le 90 levels were determined for each insecticide in several soils. Studies measured the effects of moisture and temperature on the change in biological activity of the six insecticides in soils of varying texture, pR, and percent organic matter. All insecticides were influenced by pR, to varying degrees, in at least one test. Carbofuran persistence was most sensitive to Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. increasing pH. The influence of soil texture was variable. Loss of carbofuran activity in sandy soils was attributed to leaching. Mortality from chlorpyrifos was inversely proportional to percent clay. Soil pH and texture influences on activity of fonofos and isofenphoa were inconaistent. The effect of organic matter on biological activity of the insecticides was minimal. Regression models indicated that time ac'.'ounted for approximately 55% of variation in the activity of phorate and terbufos with little effect attributed to soil factors. Variation in chlorpyrifos mortality increased an average of 17% (from 25%) by the inclusion of soil factors ln the modela. The LC~Os revealed that terbufos was the most toxic and fonofos the least toxic insecticide. Higher moiature levels accelerated the decline of f~nofos and terbufos activity. Chlorpyrifos and isofenphos were least influenced by different soil moisture levels. Soil temperature had no effect on insecticide persistence. Al! insecticides were affected by some edaphological or environmental factors, but the influences and degrees of response varied. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWLEDGEHENTS When an individual endeavors to complete a graduate program there are many people who contribute to successfully reaching that end. 1 would like to acknowledge sorne of those people and institutions ,,,ho helped in my work. 1 would like to express my appreciation to Dr. E. A. Dickason ,,,ho not only served on my graduate committee but permitted and encouraged me to return to complete my degree. Also, Dr. David Le\vis provided timely advice and cornments on various problems encountered in my research and allowed me to use his laboratary for analyses. Thanks to Chuck ~orris who taught me the procedures and assisted in the laboratory work. Special thanks to Dr. Harold Ball for making oifice and laboratory facilities available and gave valuable advice and suggestions tor my research. The discussions and camaraderie \"ith Dr. 8all and the rest ai the lnsectary staff enriched my experience. I ,,,ant to thank Frank Basel, Jim Brown, Ron Rivers. :!ike ~'!eiss ._me especially Bob Carlson for their assistance in the field and laboratory. It is rare when one can get the kind of patient, efficient and reliable help thatBob gave me. 1 want to acknowledge the North Central Region Pesticide lmpact Assessment Program for providing me with grants to support a large portian of my programo Appreciation is expressed to Drs. Shripat Kamble and R02er Gold for assistance in developing the grants and procurring the tunos. I am grateful to American Cyanamid, Dm" Chemical, F.:fC Corporation, :'!obay arre Stauifer Chemical for providing me with technical insecticide and ii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. performing a large number of soil chemical assays. Thanks is given to the cooperators who permitted me to use their fields in my research: Bob and Larry Forbes, Mick Ryan, Ron Spiehs and Hayne Swadley. I very much appreciate the help given me by Dr. Jan Jackson of the USDA Northern Grain Insect Research Laboratory of Brookings South Dakota. The supply of rootworm eggs and assistance in setting up and maintaining a rearing program were critical to conducting this research. For serving as my majar professor, I m.¡e a great deal to Dr. Z B ~layo. It has been extremely gratifying to be treated as a professional and to feel as if 1 had complete control over my research programo However, his subtle guidance and reinforcement kept things in perspective. ~ly professional development has been enhanced and 1 feel extremely fortunate to have worked under Dr. Mayo's direction. Hithout the support and understanding of my wife Becky this undertaking would not have been possible. 1 marvel at her tolerance OI what must have seemed an interminable graduate career. For that, a~ong many reasons, she has my lave and gratitude. iii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ii LIST OF TABLES . vi LIST OF FIGURES ix CHAPTER 1 A Rating System for Predicting Mortality of Moribund Southern Ccrn Rootworm (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber) Larvae Following Exposure to Soil Insecticides in a Laboratory Bioassay A. Introduction. 2 B. Methods and Materials 3 C. Results and Discussion. 12 D. References Cited ...• 22 CHAPTER 2 The Influence of Edaphological ractors on the Biological Activity of Selected Insecticides: Field Studies, with Special Emphasis on Soil Texture and pH A. Introduction .. 25 B. Methods and Materials 29 C. Results and Discussion .. 43 D. Conclusion 126 E. References Cited. 128 CHAPTER 3 The Influence of Edaphological Factors on the Biological Activity of Selected Insecticides: Laboratory Studies, with Special Emphasis on Soil Moisture and Temperature A. Introduction .. 133 B. Methods and Materials 137 iv Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Page C. Results and Discussion .. 144 D. Conclusion 162 E. References Cited. 163 CHAPTER 4 Summary and Conclusions . • • . • . • . .• 167 v Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1-1 Behavior associated with rating categories used to determine percent mortality of third stage southern corn rootworm larvae following 48 hours exposure to insecticide treated soil. • • • . • • • . • • • 8 1-2 Eventual mortality and pupation after seven days, and respiration rates of third stage southern corn rootworm larvae rated according to behavior described in Table 1-1 following 48 hours exposure to insecticide treated soilo • 11 1-3 Simple statistics and distribution of residuals for 13 data sets using 3 methods of determining SeR larval rnortality in a bioassay. o. o . o o • o ••.•• o 17 2-1 Edaphological, historical, environmental,