Absorption and metabolism of a selective insecticide, 2,2-dimethyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuranyl-7 N-dimethoxyphosphinothioyl-N-methylcarbamate, in bean plants.

The absorption and metabolism of 2,2-dimethyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuranyl-7 N-dimethoxyphosphinothioyl-N-methylcarbamate (PSC), a selective, insecticidally active carbofuran derivative, was studied in red kidney bean plants. PSC was absorbed from hydroponic culture media and was translocated throughout the plants. PSC was metabolized to carbofuran, 3-hydroxycarbofuran, and 3-ketocarbofuran and these materials accounted for 25% of the recovered radioactivity. Each of these compounds are more toxic to mice than the parent compound. Additionally at least four other oxidized, hydroxylated and/or hydrolyzed metabolites were formed.