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

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 30degreesC. The strain also showed the ability to degrade the herbicides molinate and butachlor. (C) Pesticide Science Society of Japan.