Abstract
Drench applications of the fungicide Benlate DF® (dry flowable) or WP (wettable powder) in greenhouse studies resulted in stunted cucumber seedlings. Exposure of cucumber seedlings to suspension of Benlate DF or WP in sealed glass dishes, severely inhibited primary and secondary root development. Root inhibition occurred not only when seedlings were in contact with Benlate, but also when seedlings were not in contact with the fungicide, implicating the effect of a volatile toxicant(s). The presence of butyl isocyanate (BIC) in the gaseous phase was confirmed in the glass dishes containing Benlate and stunted cucumbers. Cucumber roots not in contact with Benlate suspensions (76 mg/2 ml) were severely inhibited when Benlate suspension depths were 1.7 mm or less, but virtually unaffected when depths were 3 mm or more, indicating that the evolution of volatile phytotoxicant(s) is inversely related to depths of Benlate suspensions, which further suggests that the volatile phytotoxicant reacts with water, thereby reducing the amount released. Moistened Benlate DF stored for 14 days continued to evolve a volatile substance toxic to cucumber seedling roots. No volatile phytotoxic substance from methyl thiophanate fungicides was detected.
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Aragaki, M., Uchida, J.Y. & Kadooka, C.Y. Toxicity of Benlate® to cucumber and evidence for a volatile phytotoxic decomposition product. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 27, 121–125 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00203897
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00203897