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Metabolism of Carbamothioate Herbicide, EPTC, by Rhodococcus Strain JE1 Isolated from Soil

Dep. of Agricultural Sciences, Tuskegee Univ., Tuskegee, AL 36088

W. A. Dick^* and G. McClung

Dep. of Agronomy, Ohio State Univ., 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH 44691

*Corresponding author (dick.5{at}osu.edu).

ABSTRACT

Biodegradation of the her bicide EPTC (s-ethyl dipropylcarbamothioate) at greatly enhanced rates, which may lead to poor weed control, can occur in soil after successive annual applications. The mechanisms of EPTC degradation by a strain of Rhodococcus sp. (designated JE1) previously isolated from soil were evaluated. Degradation of ¹⁴C-labeled (at the 1-propyl position) and unlabeled EPTC was followed by thin layer chromatogaphy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The N-depropyl EPTC and EPTC sulfoxide were identified as initial metabolites formed, apparently via hydroxylation of the -propyl C and oxidation of the S atom of EPTC, respectively. Other products of EPTC degradation identified were propionaldehyde, s-ethyl carbonothioic acid, s-methyl carbonothioic acid, and traces of propylamine. It is proposed that the soil isolate Rhodococcus JE1 degrades EPTC via either an initial hydroxylation or sulfoxidation reaction, producing metabolites that can be further mineralized to form CO₂. The -propyl hydroxylation reaction, however, is thought to be the dominant pathway whereby degradation of EPTC occurs in soil at enhanced rates.

Received for publication December 15, 1994.