Rapid Onset of the Accelerated Degradation of Dicarboximide Fungicides in a UK Soil with a Long History of Agrochemical Exclusion

In field and laboratory experiments, enhanced degradation of the dicarboximide fungicides, iprodione and vinclozolin, was stimulated by only one application of the fungicides in a soil with no previous history of any pesticide input. Field and laboratory studies demonstrated the ease of stimulation by pre-treatment with even very low concentrations of the fungicides (0·5 μg g−1 soil) and at a range of temperatures and soil moisture conditions. Soils that had acquired full enhanced degradation could rapidly degrade fungicide applied at 30 times the recommended field rate. Cross-enhancement of degradation was noted with both fungicides, but not with their common metabolite, 3,5-dichloroaniline. Application of the antibiotics chloramphenicol or rifampicin to soil reduced enhanced degradation to control levels; cycloheximide had no effect. This, together with the inhibitory action of azide, mercuric chloride and repetitive microwaving, indicated that the agent(s) of enhanced degradation was probably bacterial.