Fungal degradation of metsulfuron-methyl in pure cultures and soil

A fungal strain capable of utilizing metsulfuron-methyl as sole carbon and energy sources was isolated from a metsulfuron-methyl treated soil. The degradation characteristics of metsulfuron-methyl by this fungal strain were investigated in liquid culture and soil. More than 79% of metsulfuron-methyl at concentrations of 0.10 mg l−1, 1.0 mg l−1 and 10.0 mg l−1 in pure culture was degraded by strain MD after incubation for 7 days, whereas only 5.6%, 8.6% and 13.1% of metsulfuron-methyl were degraded at levels of 0.10 mg l−1, 1.0 mg l−1 and 10.0 mg l−1 in the controls, respectively. The incorporation of strain MD into soil was found to substantially increase the degradation of metsulfuron-methyl. Degradation was 7.5 and 3.8 times faster in strain MD amended soils than in sterilized and fresh soils. The results show that addition of the isolated strain MD enhances degradation of metsulfuron-methyl in water and soil.