title: Distribution and function of carbamate hydrolase genes cehA and mcd in soils: the distinct role of soil pH.
abstract: Synthetic carbamates constitute a significant pesticide group with oxamyl being a leading compound in the nematicide market. Oxamyl degradation in soil is mainly microbially mediated. However, the distribution and function of carbamate hydrolase genes (cehA, mcd, cahA) associated with the soil biodegradation of carbamates is not yet clear. We studied oxamyl degradation in 16 soils from a potato monoculture area in Greece where oxamyl is regularly used. Oxamyl showed low persistence (DT50 2.4-26.7 days). q-PCR detected the cehA and mcd genes in 10 and three soils, respectively. The abundance of the cehA gene was positively correlated with pH, while both cehA abundance and pH were negatively correlated with oxamyl DT50. Amongst the carbamates used in the study region, oxamyl stimulated the abundance and expression only of the cehA gene, while carbofuran stimulated the abundance and expression of both genes. The cehA gene was also detected in pristine soils upon repeated treatments with oxamyl and carbofuran and only in soils with pH ≥7.2, where the most rapid degradation of oxamyl was observed. These results have major implications regarding the maintenance of carbamate hydrolase genes in soils, have practical implications regarding the agricultural use of carbamates, and provide insights into the evolution of cehA.
authors: University of Thessaly, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Viopolis 41500, Larissa, Greece.
authors: Constantina
authors: C
authors: Rousidou
authors: University of Thessaly, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Viopolis 41500, Larissa, Greece.
authors: Dionysis
authors: D
authors: Karaiskos
authors: University of Thessaly, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Viopolis 41500, Larissa, Greece.
authors: Despoina
authors: D
authors: Myti
authors: Benaki Phytopathological Institute, Athens, Greece.
authors: Evangelos
authors: E
authors: Karanasios
authors: University of Thessaly, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Viopolis 41500, Larissa, Greece.
authors: Panagiotis A
authors: PA
authors: Karas
authors: University of Thessaly, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Viopolis 41500, Larissa, Greece.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Tourna
authors: Institute of Olive Tree, Subtropical Crops and Viticulture, Department of Viticulture, Vegetable Crops, Floriculture and Plant Protection, NAGREF, Hellenic Agricultural Organization-DEMETER, PO BOX 2228, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors: Emmanuel A
authors: EA
authors: Tzortzakakis
authors: University of Thessaly, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Viopolis 41500, Larissa, Greece.
authors: Dimitrios G
authors: DG
authors: Karpouzas
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002219:Carbamates / Q000378:metabolism*; D002235:Carbofuran / Q000378:metabolism; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases / Q000235:genetics*; D006115:Greece; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010575:Pesticides / Q000378:metabolism*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D011198:Solanum tuberosum
chemical_list: D002219:Carbamates; D010575:Pesticides; D012987:Soil; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases; C077242:carbamate hydrolase; D002235:Carbofuran; C011960:oxamyl
keywords: carbofuran; cehA gene; mcd gene; oxamyl; pesticides biodegradation; soil pH