ENHANCED MICROBIAL-DEGRADATION OF CARBOFURAN IN SOILS WITH HISTORIES OF FURADAN USE

Since 1975, numerous Illinois corn producers have reported poor control of the northern and western corn rootworms with Furadan 10G (carbofuran insectide). Since soil insecticides are usually applied at planting time and are not actually needed until the rootworm eggs hatch 3 to 5 weeks later (depending on the planting date), it was hypothesized that poor rootworm control may result from lack of chemical persistence. This paper reviews the results of a study conducted in 1977 to assess carbofuran persistence in soils with and without histories of Furadan 10G use. Also reported is the isolation of a bacterium (Pseudomonas sp. ) which can degrade carbofuran in pure culture. Refs.