Deposition distribution, metabolism characteristics, and reduced application dose of difenoconazole in the open field and greenhouse pepper ecosystem

Abstract The deposition, dissipation, and metabolism of difenoconazole as well as reduced application dose were studied in the open field and greenhouse pepper system. The deposition amount of difenoconazole gradually increased with the increasing dosages, which followed an order with upper leaf > lower leaf > upper stem > lower stem > cultivated soil > fruit. The dissipation half-lives of difenoconazole in different parts of pepper plant and cultivated soil were higher in the greenhouse than those in the open field. Difenoconazole was transformed to metabolite I (C16H13Cl2N3O2) in pepper plant, but metabolite II (C13H14ClN3O3) in cultivated soil. Additionally, the field control efficacy of difenoconazole at the 0.75-fold minimum recommended dosage could meet the basic control requirement after the first application for 7 d. The results revealed deposition distribution and metabolism characteristics of difenoconazole and the application dose may be effectively decreased in the open field and greenhouse pepper-planted ecosystem.