Degradation of the herbicides thiobencarb, butachlor and molinate by a newly isolated Aspergillus niger

Abstract

Thiobencarb (S-4-chlorobenzyl diethylthiocarbamate) is a thiocarbamate herbicide used for weed control in rice production. After screening, a strain able to degrade thiobencarb, identified as Aspergillus niger van Tieghem, was successfully isolated. Optimal conditions for thiobencarb degradation in culture were at pH 5.5 and 30°C. The strain also showed the ability to degrade the herbicides molinate and butachlor. © Pesticide Science Society of Japan.