Biotransformation of clomazone in rice (Oryza sativa) and early watergrass (Echinochloa oryzoides)

Rice (Oryza sativa), a relatively tolerant species, and early watergrass (Echinochloa oryzoides; EWG), a relatively susceptible species, were exposed to 14C-labeled clomazone to determine accumulation, biotransformation, and mass balance. On a total mass basis, rice absorbed more clomazone than EWG (p < 0.05), but on a nmol/g basis, there was no significant difference between the two species (p > 0.05). Rice contained more extractable 14C residues (7.7 ± 0.5 vs. 4.8 ± 0.5 nmol in rice vs. EWG, respectively; p < 0.5), but the concentration in EWG was significantly higher (4.2 ± 0.5 vs. 1.8 ± 0.1 nmol/g in EWG vs. rice, respectively; p < 0.01). More metabolized residue was measured in EWG compared to rice (84.1% vs. 67.9%; p < 0.01). Both species produced hydroxylated forms, β-d-glucoside conjugates, and several other unidentified polar metabolites, but EWG generally produced higher metabolite concentrations. The concentration of the suspected active metabolite, 5-ketoclomazone, was significantly higher in EWG vs. rice (21 ± 2 vs. 5.7 ± 0.5 pmol/g, respectively; p < 0.01). Differences in sensitivity to clomazone between rice and EWG appear to be due to differential metabolism, but in this case the more susceptible EWG qualitatively and quantitatively metabolized more clomazone than the more tolerant rice. This is consistent with the action of a metabolically activated herbicide. This metabolic difference could be exploited to develop herbicide safeners for use with clomazone.