Research Focus
Pesticide Residue Analysis -Fate and dissipation of pesticides in soil, runoff water, groundwater, and on plant tissues. Extraction, cleanup and determination of synthetic and botanical insecticides on vegetables. Soil erosion and runoff are some of the major means by which pesticides enter streams, ponds, or lakes. The Water Quality Project at Kentucky State University (KSU) is evaluating best management practices for the growing of vegetable crops on highly erodible land (10% slope).
Insecticides from Wild Tomato - Insects have developed resistance to many, in some cases all, of the synthetic insecticides used for their control. Botanical insecticides offer a partial solution as substitutes for synthetic pesticides, particularly when two or more active components are combined.
Performance of Constructed Wetlands for On-site Wastewater Treatment - Surface and groundwater have become off-site sinks and a pressing environmental problem due to agricultural applications of fertilizers and pesticides. Evidence exists that pesticides and fertilizers can move into shallow aquifers underlying the karstic topography in Kentucky through the root zone due to the presence of open conduits. A major goal of the water quality research at Kentucky State University (KSU) is to provide fertilizer and pesticide fate models that can be used in planning landscape modifications for water quality improvements.
Current Projects
Enhanced Bioremediation: Soil Amendments and Constructed Wetlands for Pesticide Removal (1999-2003).
Botanical Insecticide: Impact on Environmental Quality" (9/1998-8/2001).
Insecticides from Wild Tomato: An Alternative for Limited Resource Farmers (1999-2002).
Dislodgeable Foliar Residues of Organophosphorus Insecticides (1998-2000).
Impact of different colored mulches on the nutritional composition of Edible Roots (1996-2000).
Developing Programs for Operation and Management of On-site Constructed Wetlands (CW): EPA/319-NPS program.
Support Staff
Janet Meyer, Research Assistant
Zachary Ray, Research Assistant
Herbicide extraction using Soxhlet apparatus Tipping bucket
runoff metering apparatus Runoff plots at KSU research farm Formulations containing pyrethrins and PBO Detection of pesticide residues by gas chromatography
Recent Publications
Antonious GF and Patterson MA (2005). Napropamide residues in runoff and infiltration water from pepper production. J. Environ. Sci. Health B40 (3): 1-12.
Antonious GF, Kochhar TS, and Simmons, AM (2005). Natural Products: Seasonal variation in trichome counts and contents in Lycopersicum hirsutum f. Glabratum. J. Environ. Sci. Health B40 (4): Accepted for Publication.
Antonious GF (2004). Persistence of 2-tridecanone on the leaves of seven vegetables. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 73 (6). In press.
Antonious GF, Patel GA, Snyder JC, and Coyne MS (2004). Pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide adsorption to soil organic matter. J. Environ. Sci. Health B39 (1): 19-32.
Antonious GF (2004). Trifluralin residues in runoff and infiltration water from tomato production. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 72 (5): 962-969.
Antonious, GF (2004). Residues and half-lives of pyrethrins on field-grown pepper and tomato. J. Environ. Sci. Health B39 (4): 491-503.
Antonious, GF (2003). Soil infiltration by pesticides. In: Encyclopedia of Pest Management. Pimentel D (ed), volume 3, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, pp. 1-4.
Antonious, GF (2003). Impact of soil management and two botanical insecticides on urease and invertase activity. J Environ Sci Health B38 (4): 479-488.
Antonious, GF and Kochhar, TS (2003). Zingiberene and curcumene in wild tomato. J Environ Sci Health B38 (4): 489-500.
Antonious, GF, Patterson MA, and Snyder, JC (2003. Pesticide residues in soil and quality of potato grown with sewage sludge. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 71 (2): 315-322.
Antonious, GF, Dahlman DL, and Hawkins LM (2003). Insecticidal and acaricidal performance of methyl ketones in wild tomato leaves. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 71 (2): 400-407.
Antonious, GF, Hawkins LM, and TS Kochhar (2003). Foliar phenolic variation in wild tomato. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 70 (1): 9-16.
Antonious G.F. (2002). Pesistence and Performance of Esfenvalerate Residues Residues on Broccoli. J. Pest Management Sci. 58: 85-91.