Pesticide Metabolism in Plants
Reactions and Mechanisms
2
Richard H. Shimabukuro, Gerald L. Lamoureux,
and D. Stuart Frear
2. 1. INTRODUCTION
The use of pesticides to protect crop plants from weeds, insects, and other pests
has increased steadily. In 1975 the total production of organic pesticides in the
United States was 1609 million pounds (USDA, 1977). A great variety of pesticides, including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides is applied to crop
plants. Pesticides are inherently toxic and may be degraded to either toxic or
nontoxic forms. Therefore, it is important to know the intermediate degradation
products and the ultimate fate of pesticides in plants.
Much is known about the degradation and dissipation of pesticides in plants,
but detailed knowledge of biotransformation reaction mechanisms is often lacking
(Baldwin, 1977). Pesticide metabolism in plants has been reviewed extensively
(Baldwin, 1977; Bull, 1972; Casida and Lykken, 1969; Kearney and Kaufman,
1975; Lamoureux and Frear, 1979; Menzer, 1973; Sandermann et al., 1977).
It is not the intent of this review to present an exhaustive coverage of pesticide
Mention of a trademark or proprietary product does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the
product by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of
other products that may also be suitable.
Richard H. Shimabukuro, Gerald L. Lamoureux, and D. Stuart Frear. U.S. Department
of Agriculture, Science and Education Administration, Agricultural Research, Metabolism and Radiation Research Laboratory, Fargo, North Dakota 58105.
21
Reactions and Mechanisms
2
Richard H. Shimabukuro, Gerald L. Lamoureux,
and D. Stuart Frear
2. 1. INTRODUCTION
The use of pesticides to protect crop plants from weeds, insects, and other pests
has increased steadily. In 1975 the total production of organic pesticides in the
United States was 1609 million pounds (USDA, 1977). A great variety of pesticides, including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides is applied to crop
plants. Pesticides are inherently toxic and may be degraded to either toxic or
nontoxic forms. Therefore, it is important to know the intermediate degradation
products and the ultimate fate of pesticides in plants.
Much is known about the degradation and dissipation of pesticides in plants,
but detailed knowledge of biotransformation reaction mechanisms is often lacking
(Baldwin, 1977). Pesticide metabolism in plants has been reviewed extensively
(Baldwin, 1977; Bull, 1972; Casida and Lykken, 1969; Kearney and Kaufman,
1975; Lamoureux and Frear, 1979; Menzer, 1973; Sandermann et al., 1977).
It is not the intent of this review to present an exhaustive coverage of pesticide
Mention of a trademark or proprietary product does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the
product by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of
other products that may also be suitable.
Richard H. Shimabukuro, Gerald L. Lamoureux, and D. Stuart Frear. U.S. Department
of Agriculture, Science and Education Administration, Agricultural Research, Metabolism and Radiation Research Laboratory, Fargo, North Dakota 58105.
21