In bioassays, rice (Oryza sativaL.) recovery from metolachlor [2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)acetamide] injury tended to be slower in flooded rice, but was not significantly different from the recovery rate in a nonflooded rice. In soils treated with 1 ppm (w/w) metolachlor and incubated in constant-temperature chambers, the half-life of metolachlor was shorter at 40 C than at 30 C. The degradation rate of metolachlor was not significantly correlated with declining moisture potentials in the range of −30 to −80 kPa. The CO2evolution from metolachlor-treated soil was negatively correlated with incubation time and positively correlated to declining moisture levels. In a field study, metolachlor, as determined by bioassay, was mobile in a Taloka silt loam soil profile. After being incorporated to 7.5 cm, it became evenly distributed in the top 15 cm of the soil profile within 18 days. Metolachlor adsorption was positively correlated with clay and organic carbon content.

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Advances in biotechnology continue to drive the development of a wide range of insect-protected, herbicide-tolerant, stress-tolerant, and nutritionally enhanced genetically modified (GM) crops, yet societal and public policy considerations may slow their commercialization. Such restrictions may disproportionately affect developing countries, as well as smaller entrepreneurial and public sector initiatives. The 2014 IUPAC International Congress of Pesticide Chemistry (San Francisco, CA, USA; August 2014) included a symposium on "Challenges Associated with Global Adoption of Agricultural Biotechnology" to review current obstacles in promoting GM crops. Challenges identified by symposium presenters included (i) poor public understanding of GM technology and the need for enhanced communication strategies, (ii) nonharmonized and prescriptive regulatory requirements, and (iii) limited experience with regulations and product development within some public sector programs. The need for holistic resistance management programs to enable the most effective use of insect-protected crops was also a point of emphasis. This paper provides details on the symposium discussion and provides background information that can be used in support of further adoption of beneficial GM crops. Overall, it emphasizes that global adoption of modern agricultural biotechnology has not only provided benefits to growers and consumers but has great potential to provide solutions to an increasing global population and diminishing agricultural land. This potential will be realized by continued scientific innovation, harmonized regulatory systems, and broader communication of the benefits of the high-yielding, disease-resistant, and nutritionally enhanced crops attainable through modern biotechnology.

Efficacy of KIH-2023 applied POST at rates of 15 to 40 g ai/ha was evaluated in dry-seeded and water-seeded rice production in 1994 and 1995. Purple ammannia, ducksalad, and Indian jointvetch control with KIH-2023 was similar, and alligatorweed control was greater with KIH-2023 compared with propanil or tank mixtures of propanil plus thiobencarb in water-seeded rice. Barnyardgrass was controlled similarly with KIH-2023 and sequential applications of propanil in dry-seeded rice. Rice yields generally reflected differences in weed control, with yields of rice treated with KIH-2023 similar to sequential propanil applications or propanil plus thiobencarb in dry-, and water-seeded rice, respectively. Minor rice foliar and root injury were noted with KIH-2023.

Glufosinate at 1.1 and 2.2 kg/ha injured ‘Koshihikari’ rice lines that were transformed with the BAR gene from 0 to 53%. However, transgenic ‘Gulfmont’ rice was not injured. Rice yields of transgenic ‘Gulfmont’ lines and six of nine ‘Koshihikari’ lines were not affected by 2.2 kg/ha glufosinate. In field studies, flooding reduced the efficacy of glufosinate in controlling red rice, and greenhouse tests determined that glufosinate efficacy was reduced when red rice was submerged between 25 and 50% of its height. Plant heights and dry weights of red rice increased as flood water depth increased at all rates of glufosinate.