Exploiting plant metabolism for the phytoremediation of persistent herbicides.
Weed control by herbicides has helped us to create the green revolution and to provide food for at least the majority of human beings living today. However, some herbicides remain in the environment and pose an ecological problem. The present review describes the properties and fate of four representative herbicides known to be presistent in ecosystems. Metabolic networks are depicted and it is concluded that removal of these compounds by the ecologically friendly technique of phytoremediation is possible. The largest problem is seen in the uptake of the compounds into suitable plants and the time needed for such an approach.
Coleman
Julian O D
JO
School of Biological and Molecular Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK.
Frova
Carla
C
Schroder
Peter
P
Tissut
Michel
M
D015084:2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D000081:Acetamides / Q000378:metabolism*; D001280:Atrazine / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D004463:Ecology; D006540:Herbicides / Q000378:metabolism*; D008782:Methylurea Compounds / Q000378:metabolism*; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism
D000081:Acetamides; D006540:Herbicides; D008782:Methylurea Compounds; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D015084:2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid; C028904:isoproturon; D001280:Atrazine; C051786:metolachlor